This one was first published in 1930 and is apparently the first one in which Miss Marple appears, it has been dramatised for TV in fact I’ve seen it umpteen times but I still enjoyed the book. The story is told by the vicar of St Mary Mead, Mr Len Clements but the whole book is very dialogue heavy, which must have made dramatising it so easy as Christie is very good at dialogue with a perfect ear for the differences in speech of the various classes of those days.
Colonel Protheroe is much disliked in the village so when he is found dead in the vicar’s study, sitting at his desk, there are plenty of possibilities as to who the culprit might be.
The relationship between the vicar and his much younger wife Griselda is a lovely one with Griselda’s light-hearted personality – on paper everything that a vicar’s wife shouldn’t be – perfectly complementing her husband’s necessarily more serious attitude, but he is obviously besotted with her, a great couple of characters.
In general the books are always better than the TV shows but I must admit to loving the period clothes, jewellery, handbags and hats, all very stylish, whether the setting is 1930s, 40s, or even 1950s, although that isn’t my favourite decade.
If you haven’t seen the most recent TV Murder at the Vicarage you can see it on you tube below.
One of my favorite Christie books and I loved the 1986 version of the movie. I loved the walking in and out of the window in the one room. I want a window like that! I’m half way thru the ABC Murders right now.
Peggy Ann,
I think you mean a French window, we nearly converted our dining romm window to a French one, then we decided we couldn’t be bothered with the hassle, I do like them though. Is the 1986 version the one with Cheryl Campbell as the vicar’s wife? I’m sure I remember her playing that character but didn’t find any mention of her. I’ve liked her since I saw her in Testament of Youth – yonks ago.
I’ve seen this one with Geraldine McEwan, and I think I’ve even read it – but I have no memory of the plot! I’m a fan of Miss Marple (more I think than Poirot these days, maybe because I’m getting more toward her age đŸ˜‰ and I’ve been reading them as I come across them.
Lisa,
I know exactly how you feel, I’m getting quite Marpleish myself! I think I’ve always preferred Marple to Poirot but I hate the idea of the new TV Marple who is a youngster I believe, an absolutely stupid idea, the last thing we need is a sexed up Miss Marple!
I’ve also seen this on TV with Geraldine MacEwan a few years back. Like her acting, but wasn’t sure if she’d make a realistic Miss Maple..Thanks to her acting, she did! I’m watching it on your video which is the first time I’ve watched anything on the computer more than 30 minutes! Thanks.
Also couldn’t remember “who done it’!
Lorraine,
I usually forget ‘who done it too’. I really like Geraldine McEwan, I loved her as Lucia in the Mapp and Lucia series too.
I recently bought a 3 book Miss Marple eBook package and this is one of the books. I’m looking forward to reading them. I think I’ve read all of the Poirot books so I am going to concentrate on the Marples. I love the recent adaptations – I think I’ve seen them all a couple of times at least.
Anbolyn,
I don’t have any of the more recent dvds, they are never off TV here anyway, but I do have some ancient ones with Margaret Rutherford as Marple. I like them too although there is usually a bit more comedy in those ones.