Day 11- The Murder at the Vicarage

First Published: 1930

Setting: St. Mary Mead

Starring: Miss Marple, the Vicar

Important Other People: Dr. Haydock, the Protheroes, Lawrence Redding, Melchett, Slack

One interesting thing about the plot that has not yet been a factor: there is a small and rigid time limit for the murder that is based on the evidence of several witnesses. There are very few people who could have possibly committed the murder, but the police still need to find evidence in order to find the criminal- the statements witnesses make are sometimes untrue, and thus misleading. It takes Miss Marple, and her staunch distrust of anything she doesn't know for herself to be a fact, to find the truth.

Theme in the book: If a thing reminds you of something else, it's probably the same kind of thing. This, of course, comes from Miss Marple, and makes sense inherently, although oftentimes her connections are way over my head.

Throughout the book we hear about the fact that ever since the War, there has been a loosening of moral fiber. This book is the first (in my opinion) in which Agatha gives us an example of that (the affair). After this book, we get more scandals, and of course some that are decidedly more scandalous, but this book is the first portrayal of that aspect of the changing society.

Agatha's own opinion of Miss Marple: "One thing she did have in common with [her grandmother]- though a cheerful person, she always expected the worst of everyone and everything, and was, with almost frightening accuracy, usually proved right...There was no unkindness in Miss Marple, she just did not trust people...Miss Marple was born at the age of sixty-five to seventy-which, as with Poirot, proved unfortunate, because she was going to have to last a long time in my life. If I had had any second sight, I would have provided myself with a precocious schoolboy as my first detective; then he could have grown old with me."

Interesting facts: First appearance of Miss Marple. Also, the version of the book that I read was published in 1930, so that's pretty awesome.

Favorite? No, but I like it because it introduces Miss Marple, who is at her spiciest in this book, and because it gives us the picture of typical English village life...clouded by murder, of course. From Agatha, "I am not so pleased with it as I was at the time. It has, I think, far too many characters, and too many subplots" (which is so true).

Death by: shooting

Body Count: 1; Cumulative: 24

The Count: Poirot-5, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-3, Japp-2, Colonel Race-1, Superintendent Battle-2, George-1, Goby-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: Marriage is a serious affair (tell that to the ex). The worst is usually true. Inestimable harm may be done by gossip (foreshadowing to The Moving Finger, perhaps?) Better to let things develop on their own. One can never be quite sure about anyone. If a thing reminds you of something else, it's probably the same kind of thing. In the case of an irate middle aged lady, one thing can be done- listen to her. A refined lady is naturally unaquainted with bad language. Most men are out for their own hand. What is past is past and cannot be undone. One's own troubles sharpen one's eyes sometimes. Zeal can't really take the place of brains (Slack). Clever young men know so little of life. Life is very much the same everywhere. No one can fail to be interested in a murder. We all like to be liked. And the best: The young people think the old people are fools- but the old people know the young people are fools.

Up Next: Murder at Hazelmoor