The Body in the Library (1942)

I always pictured Miss Marple knitting. Maybe this added to her gleefully inconspicuous sweet old lady persona, but the woman takes down criminals at the knees. ( )

didn't quite understand it all because I listened to it. ( )

Another Miss Marple story! I really do like her more than Poirot: much less egotistical -- though I'm basing on that on only having read one Poirot book, I suppose, so maybe I didn't get the whole of Poirot's character. I liked that this one wasn't in the style of a first person narrator's account, like the other two I've read. Ultimately I think I preferred that, because a lot of the charm of the first Miss Marple book came from the character of the vicar, but it was nice to have it a bit different, too.

I didn't find the mystery very intriguing with this one, largely because I couldn't figure it out for myself. Possibly that was me being dim, and having a headache, etc, etc, but even when I got to the last few pages I wasn't perfectly sure whodunnit until it spelled it out.

Still, it was pretty fun to read -- like a snack between meals. ( )

My first Agatha Christie...and you know what? I was actually quite surprised.

Sure, the murder mystery aspect of the novel is entertaining enough - but what I found most interesting about The Body in the Library is the way the village reacts when a "flamboyant" young girl is found dead. It's as if Agatha Christie is mocking all her characters - yes, even Miss Marple - for their double standards.

My full review is on my blog, Book to the Future:

http://booktothefuture.com.au/?p=1894 ( )

Just how did that body get in the library?
I bought this book after watching the recent ITV adaptation of it, which left me suspicious as to whether the ITV denouement was as penned by Agatha. My suspicions proved correct.
I'm not sure why ITV felt the need to change the original ending. Agatha Christie's is better and far more credible.
I know she has her detractors, but I still think her plots are far cleverer than people give her credit for. With its twists and turns, its subplots, mazes and red herrings, The Body in the Library is up there with the best of Mrs Christie. ( )