The Murder at the Vicarage

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Summary

Genre: Detective

Format: Novel

Setting: House

Locations: England, St. Mary Mead

Murder Method: Gunshot

Recurring Characters: Miss Marple, Griselda Clement, Miss Hartnell, Dr. Haydock, Martha Price Ridley, Caroline Wetherby

Synopsis

“Anyone who murdered Colonel Protheroe would be doing the world at large a service.” Reverend Clement

The tranquillity of St Mary Mead is shattered when Lucius Protheroe is found dead. A thoroughly unpleasant character, there is no shortage of suspects with a motive for murder. Could it have been his unfaithful wife? Her artist lover? The daughter, set to inherit? Or even the mild-mannered vicar? Inspector Slack is at a loss. Perhaps Miss Jane Marple, the local village busybody, can help...

The Murder at the Vicarage is one of Christie’s most popular books. It was the first of her mysteries to be published as part of her publisher Collins’s new Crime Club series. The Crime Club was not a book club but a series of mystery titles published and promoted under the name.

Published in 1930 and marking the first appearance of Miss Marple in a novel, The Murder at the Vicarage was a triumph. Adapted for the stage by Charles Moie and Barbara Toy, its run of five years was a testament to its popularity. The novel was later adapted for the screen, first with Joan Hickson and more recently with Geraldine McEwan in the starring role.

What fans say

: Puffinjill
"Miss Marple could not have been introduced in her first full novel in any better setting. It gives her a context and a history, even if we are not to know it. "
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