The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie: Book Review

The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie is the first book to feature Miss Marple. Originally published in 1930, we are formally introduced to St. Mary Mead and some other recurring characters. Like any other book by Christie, this one can be read in any order.

Synopsis

Over dinner, Leonard Clement, the local vicar, states, “Anyone who murdered Colonel Protheroe would be doing the world at large a favor!” Strong words for a man of the cloth, words that come back to haunt him as shortly after. The body of Colonel Protheroe is discovered in the vicar’s study, having been shot.

Miss Marple believes there are several suspects in the village. But who was the real culprit, and why?

Postives

This is another easy read from Christie. The book has its red herrings to lead you off on a variety of paths. Will you be able to figure out who it was?

Negatives

There were a few red herrings that I could have done without in the book. They did not really add anything to the story, at least in my opinion. I mean, how could a little village like St Mary Mead have so many criminal, or at least deceitful, activities going on?

My Opinons

I have to state that Miss Marple is not my preferred detective that Christie created. But as this year has gone on, and I have read more books with her in them, I have started to like her more. In many ways, I’ve always seen her as a meddlesome aunt. As time has passed, I still see her that way, but I have also learned to appreciate her intuition and thought process. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older and finding myself like her in some ways.

Out of the books I’ve read that feature Miss Marple, I have to say that this has been my favorite thus far. Maybe it’s because I got to see a bit more about where she started. I feel that everyone should give this one a read.

Looking for some more books to read? Check out my other book reviews and my monthly reading wrap-ups.