‘Marple: Twelve New Mysteries’ (2022) honors, expands character
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): A dozen modern authors write Marple with an ease that will make you cozy next to the fireplace; plus, we get mild surprises.
Miss Marple
‘Marple: Twelve New Mysteries’ (2022) honors, expands character
‘Miss Marple’ (1984-92) stands as the spinster sleuth’s definitive portrayal
Sleuthing Sunday (TV review): Joan Hickson is exactly how I pictured Marple from the novels, and many other actors follow her lead in this standout series.
‘Sleeping Murder’ (1976) a relaxing throwback mystery
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Agatha Christie’s only posthumous novel is also one of her finest Marple yarns, one where we can apply what we’ve learned.
Marple unleashed like a bloodhound in ‘Nemesis’ (1971)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): The penultimate Miss Marple novel is overwritten and unlikely in parts, but it’s solvable and enjoyable.
‘A Murder is Announced’ (1950) a vintage ‘cozy mystery’
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Agatha Christie didn’t write as many cozy village murder mysteries as the stereotype suggests. But this is one of them.
Murder follows Marple across pond in ‘Caribbean Mystery’ (1964)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): A rare Agatha Christie yarn that crosses the Atlantic, “A Caribbean Mystery” is otherwise reliably basic.
Miss Marple takes a vacation ‘At Bertram’s Hotel’ (1965)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): Marple is oddly disengaged in this crime story, but the slow-starting novel eventually kicks into high gear.
Christie, Marple still sharp in ‘The Mirror Crack’d’ (1962)
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): The author and her detective lament the new Development near St. Mary Mead, but crime-solving principles remain unchanged.
‘4:50 from Paddington’ (1957) a padded Christie whodunit
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): The reliable whodunit elements are in place, but this Christmas-set tale is unusually cold – not always in a good way.
‘Double Sin’ (1961) puts Poirot in a Christmas mood
Sleuthing Sunday (Book review): “Double Sin and Other Stories” collects four Poirots, two Marples and a couple supernatural yarns.