Source: Purchased
Description: It’s seven in the morning. The Bantrys wake to find the body of a young woman in their library. She is wearing evening dress and heavy make-up, which is now smeared across her cheeks.
But who is she? How did she get there? And what is the connection with another dead girl, whose charred remains are later discovered in an abandoned quarry?
The respectable Bantrys invite Miss Marple to solve the mystery… before tongues start to wag.
Genre: Mystery - Classic
Why I Picked This Book: This is the January pick for the Read Christie Challenge. The theme this year is Best/Favorite and this was the pick for the category of "Best Opening".
My Impression: This is Miss Marple at her best. There's a mix of time in St. Mary Mead and a ritzy hotel. Sir Henry Clithering is there as are Colonel and Mrs. Bantry. Even Griselda Clement makes an appearance so all my favorite Marple side characters are present. I loved how both Dolly Bantry and Sir Henry regularly ask Miss Marple for village parallels.
The mystery is one of Christie's best with lots of possible suspects and lots of unexpected twists. The opening is definitely one of the best and definitely deserves it's spot on the list. I also really loved both Dolly and Miss Marple's reasoning for getting involved in solving the mystery. Their understanding of Colonel Bantry's personality really softens and humanizes a type that is often played as a fool in mysteries from this era. This is always a favorite reread and this time was no different.
The TV adaptation staring Joan Hickson (who is probably my favorite Marple) is good though the direction they take Mr. Jefferson is a bit bonkers.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course! I'm already excited for the February pick.
Would I Recommend this Book? Of course! This one is probably best read after Murder at the Vicarage but both are a delight so it's no hardship.
Would I Recommend this Book? Of course! This one is probably best read after Murder at the Vicarage but both are a delight so it's no hardship.
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