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At Bertram's Hotel
(Miss Marple #11)
by
An old-fashioned London Hotel is not quite as reputable as it makes out! When Miss Marple comes up from the country for a holiday in London, she finds what she's looking for at Bertram's Hotel: traditional decor, impeccable service and an unmistakable atmosphere of danger behind the highly polished veneer. Yet, not even Miss Marple can foresee the violent chain of events
...more
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Paperback, Agatha Christie Collection, 223 pages
Published
2002
by HarperCollins
(first published 1965)
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DRAMATISATION LISTENED TO IN 2019
Firstly let's say it's a shame that this does not have a separate entry as it is not the audiobook of the novel, it is an abridged dramatisation that only roughly follows the novel, but it doesn't, so hey ho.
It is a great version, being a BBC Radio 4 dramatisation starring some excellent British actors and actresses, including the delightful June Whitfield as Miss Marple. Whist i cannot SEE anyone as else as Miss Marple than Joan Hickson, June Whitfield's ...more
Firstly let's say it's a shame that this does not have a separate entry as it is not the audiobook of the novel, it is an abridged dramatisation that only roughly follows the novel, but it doesn't, so hey ho.
It is a great version, being a BBC Radio 4 dramatisation starring some excellent British actors and actresses, including the delightful June Whitfield as Miss Marple. Whist i cannot SEE anyone as else as Miss Marple than Joan Hickson, June Whitfield's ...more
I think I don't like Miss Marple's stories in which she has a tiny role. I like a full on Miss Marple with lots of her wise notions and summing up of characters. This book finds her about 3 chapters in staying at a famous and absurdly old-fashioned, supremely comfortable hotel in London. Bertram's Hotel is like a step back in time to when Miss Marple was a girl, which is a good thing right? Wrong, there is something dreadfully amiss in this perfect setting and the police with an assist of a
...more
Miss Marple has the best nephew in the world – Raymond West – who is constantly thinking up little treats for his Aunt Jane. In this novel though, it is his wife, Joan, who suggests that she needs a little trip and Miss Marple says she would like to go to Bertram’s Hotel. She stayed there as a girl and is somewhat surprised at how little it has changed.
Bertram’s is a haven for the well to do in London; visited by retired army officers, clergymen, the aristocracy and wealthy Americans. Muffins ...more
Bertram’s is a haven for the well to do in London; visited by retired army officers, clergymen, the aristocracy and wealthy Americans. Muffins ...more
At Bertram's Hotel (Miss Marple #11), Agatha Christie
At Bertram's Hotel is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie and first published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club on 15 November 1965. It features the detective Miss Marple. Miss Marple takes a two-week vacation in London, at Bertram's Hotel, where she stayed in her youth. The hotel has a personality of its own, and a niche clientele of important church people, older women who lived through the Edwardian age, and girls looking for a ...more
At Bertram's Hotel is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie and first published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club on 15 November 1965. It features the detective Miss Marple. Miss Marple takes a two-week vacation in London, at Bertram's Hotel, where she stayed in her youth. The hotel has a personality of its own, and a niche clientele of important church people, older women who lived through the Edwardian age, and girls looking for a ...more
I think I liked the idea of this book more than I actually enjoyed it. The feeling that there is something dark and thoroughly sinister behind the pleasant perfection of Bertram's Hotel and its highly trained staff maintained a heightened sense of suspense and kept the reader itching to find out what happened next.
Unfortunately, you'll reach a point when you find out the mystery is not as interesting or anywhere near as sinister as you thought it might be. (view spoiler) ...more
Unfortunately, you'll reach a point when you find out the mystery is not as interesting or anywhere near as sinister as you thought it might be. (view spoiler) ...more
One of the most boring Agatha Christie novels. Though advertised as Miss Marple novel, she is no more than a decorative piece in the plot. The novel is actually an ode to Christie's fascination with old world British charm. Weak plot which is mostly a drag will compel you to put down the novel and spend your time productively by reading any other book. Avoid this novel unless you are a die hard Christie fan and have to read all her works
“I learned (what I suppose I really knew already) that one can never go back, that one should not ever try to go back—that the essence of life is going forward. Life is really a One Way Street, isn’t it?”
I put a spoiler warning on this post not so much because I will discuss the details of the plot but because I will discuss some of the characters in a way that will give away much of the conclusion. If you are planning to read the book, don't read any further. You have been warned.
(view ...more
I put a spoiler warning on this post not so much because I will discuss the details of the plot but because I will discuss some of the characters in a way that will give away much of the conclusion. If you are planning to read the book, don't read any further. You have been warned.
(view ...more
I enjoyed this particular story very much. Not the most imaginative beginning to a review but that's the first thing I wanted to say! Gone here, are the orderly presentations of suspects. Mrs Agatha Christie here departs from her usual structure-although the style is as sterling as ever- and I can't for the life of me imagine who was she copying with such a fearless endeavor.
While reading the bits where Miss Marple appears, I was regretting that she doesn't exist-she is a relic as much as the ...more
While reading the bits where Miss Marple appears, I was regretting that she doesn't exist-she is a relic as much as the ...more
"Even at Bertram's, thought Miss Marple, happily, interesting things could happen . . . ."
Miss Marple is sent yet on another vacation by her nephew, Raymond. This time, she is off to London, to stay at Bertram's Hotel, a place she last visited in her childhood. The place retains a nostalgic and old-fashioned feel that appeals to a select group of clientele. Yet, mch as Miss Marple is enchanted by Bertram's, she feels something is amiss. When a clergyman goes missing and a man ends up murdered, ...more
Miss Marple is sent yet on another vacation by her nephew, Raymond. This time, she is off to London, to stay at Bertram's Hotel, a place she last visited in her childhood. The place retains a nostalgic and old-fashioned feel that appeals to a select group of clientele. Yet, mch as Miss Marple is enchanted by Bertram's, she feels something is amiss. When a clergyman goes missing and a man ends up murdered, ...more
Choose Your Own Adventure!
You say you don’t like creative reviews. You say they distract from the passion, you say they aren’t real, you say they replace research with humor. You say they are a waste of time. Yet here you are, playing your little games.
If you are ashamed of yourself because it feels so good, choose http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
If you think hypocrisy is just another word for nothing left to lose, choose https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
You say you don’t like creative reviews. You say they distract from the passion, you say they aren’t real, you say they replace research with humor. You say they are a waste of time. Yet here you are, playing your little games.
If you are ashamed of yourself because it feels so good, choose http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
If you think hypocrisy is just another word for nothing left to lose, choose https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
**2.5 stars**
This is probably one of the worst books by Agatha Christie I have read. The mystery was boring and the murder came too late. And it was so obvious who the murderer was! Worst, there wasn't conclusive proof that could put the villain in jail, only a policeman's vow that he would find a way.
I didn't rate it worse because I loved this quote - which I found terrible but truthful:
I learned (what I suppose I really knew already) that one can never go back, that one should not ever try to ...more
This is probably one of the worst books by Agatha Christie I have read. The mystery was boring and the murder came too late. And it was so obvious who the murderer was! Worst, there wasn't conclusive proof that could put the villain in jail, only a policeman's vow that he would find a way.
I didn't rate it worse because I loved this quote - which I found terrible but truthful:
I learned (what I suppose I really knew already) that one can never go back, that one should not ever try to ...more
“Curiosity, or what she preferred herself to call ‘taking an interest’ in other people’s affairs, was undoubtedly one of Miss Marple’s characteristics.”
Our Miss Marple does indeed exercise her ‘curiosity’ in this novel, although she is not that much in the foreground. No, the narration follows several characters, until it rests with that of ‘father’, Chief Inspector Davy, trying to sort out all the ‘strands’ that seem to meet at Bertram’s Hotel, the hotel itself taking on the role of a ...more
Our Miss Marple does indeed exercise her ‘curiosity’ in this novel, although she is not that much in the foreground. No, the narration follows several characters, until it rests with that of ‘father’, Chief Inspector Davy, trying to sort out all the ‘strands’ that seem to meet at Bertram’s Hotel, the hotel itself taking on the role of a ...more
Book 10 in the Miss Marple Challenge. At Bertram’s Hotel was rather different from the Marples I’ve read so far. It starts off quite the same though. Miss Marple is travelling again, but unlike in the previous book, she has only gone up to London this time, to stay for a fortnight at Bertram’s Hotel, a place she had stayed at as a fourteen-year-old and has fond memories of. At the hotel there are some familiar faces, Lady Selina Hayes (who she knows from the former’s brief stay at St Mary Mead)
...more
When Miss Marple gets a present of two weeks holiday from her nephew and his wife, she decides on a short visit to the past. Bertram's Hotel, where time has stood still, has taken the fancy of the old aristocracy, while their privileged world has fallen around their heads. A clever mix of old English titles, and rich Americans who love old English titles, scatter the landscape. Bertram's Hotel thrives, but is it really a feasible business? Can one ever go back to the past? Turns out, you can't.
...more
I'm always grateful when I find a Miss Marple book where the title sleuth gets to actually be present for about half the story - this one, in fact, featured Miss Marple more than any of her other mysteries I've read. She still disappears for lengthy amounts of time, but this time it actually feels purposeful. Miss Marple doesn't appear at certain points because the other characters are busy doing important things, things that Miss Marple can't be present for because then the mystery would be
...more
Jul 01, 2014
Lobstergirl
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Lobstergirl by:
Petro Poroshenko
Shelves:
mystery-thriller,
fiction
This book did make me hungry for hearty English breakfasts, the kind they serve at Bertram's Hotel.
It's one of Christie's later novels; the Beatles get a mention, so we know it's the early sixties. Yet the old world lingers: girls under 21 are frowned on if they go out without chaperones, and women who have more than just a handful of lovers during their whole lives are "nymphomaniacs." Christie had issues. Miss Marple mostly just sits on her ass in this one, informing a detective that a young ...more
I loved this book, though I can see that it's not one of Agatha's best plots. Miss Marple doesn't really solve the mystery - a policeman does. But as a novel, I think it's among Agatha's best, most balanced novels. The hotel atmosphere and descriptions of London, and several of the characters, are just brilliantly done. It was v gripping and huge fun to read.
Yet another nephew pays for Miss Marple to take a vacation wherever she wants. She choose an old hotel. I would have chosen Italy, but that's just me.
Anyway, the hotel is full of interesting characters and a murderer. Miss Marple quickly locates the biggest gossips and gets to work.
Anyway, the hotel is full of interesting characters and a murderer. Miss Marple quickly locates the biggest gossips and gets to work.
Partway through reading this, I realized I had actually seen a dramatization of this story several years ago, so the ending was not a surprise to me.
Miss Marple comes to Bertram's Hotel, and soon gets a sense that something is off there. There is a colourful cast of characters staying at the hotel, coupled with robberies worrying Scotland Yard (one of which occurs on a train during the story). Miss Marple twitters and knits, and all the while keeps her eyes on the proceedings. An inspector does ...more
Miss Marple comes to Bertram's Hotel, and soon gets a sense that something is off there. There is a colourful cast of characters staying at the hotel, coupled with robberies worrying Scotland Yard (one of which occurs on a train during the story). Miss Marple twitters and knits, and all the while keeps her eyes on the proceedings. An inspector does ...more
Mar 29, 2017
Andrea
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-aloud-with-my-kids-teen
3.5 Stars
As usual, wherever Miss Marple goes, murder follows.
In this addition to the series, she checks into a lavish hotel in London. Someone tries to kill a young heiress, but a gentleman jumps in front of the bullet. Who would benefit from her death? Was she the intended target? Miss Marple helps a detective find the truth.
This was a pretty standard Christie mystery. Not one of her best, but it was easy to follow the investigation and I was interested throughout. I generally don't really care who ...more
In this addition to the series, she checks into a lavish hotel in London. Someone tries to kill a young heiress, but a gentleman jumps in front of the bullet. Who would benefit from her death? Was she the intended target? Miss Marple helps a detective find the truth.
This was a pretty standard Christie mystery. Not one of her best, but it was easy to follow the investigation and I was interested throughout. I generally don't really care who ...more
Meh through and through.
Thoroughly enjoyed this BBC adaptation of a book that I had read and enjoyed at least on 2 prior occasions. Thankfully I didnot remember the perpetrators, and was pleasantly surprised at the end, as I failed to get to the core of the mystery.
This book combines all cozy things - childhood reminiscences, a two week hotel stay vacation (how I wish I had an opportunity like that), a cozy mystery to occupy oneself, and a murder.
Miss Marple is gifted a well deserved vacation for two weeks by her ...more
This book combines all cozy things - childhood reminiscences, a two week hotel stay vacation (how I wish I had an opportunity like that), a cozy mystery to occupy oneself, and a murder.
Miss Marple is gifted a well deserved vacation for two weeks by her ...more
One of my favourite Miss Marple novels which places her in the midst of 1960s London. Christie has fun with ideas of nostalgia and the inability to live in the past - however beautifully a facade may be recreated as is the case with Bertram's Hotel. With fast racing cars and organised crime set against forgetful canons and out-of-touch majors, Christie seems to be self-consciously noting the passing of the milieu in which so many of her books had been set, while slyly acknowledging her readers'
...more
This is one of my favorite Agatha Christie books – I think for no other reason than that I want to stay at this hotel! Well – I also do think that the mother/daughter relationship is really interestingly done, and who doesn’t love a good noble sacrifice?
But still: the descriptions of muffins are what stays with you.
But still: the descriptions of muffins are what stays with you.
Miss Marple makes a guest apperance in this one, which is why i gave it a 2.5 star review. The story wasnt as interesting as i wanted it.Nothing actually happened, as in other books, to keep me interested but i did finish it because Christie's excellent writing skill never stops to amaze me.
Very little action until the last quarter of the book. Miss Marple was a minor character in this. It was just okay.
It seems Miss Marple has become a secondary character. I wish we had more time with her thoughts than with Inspector Davy.
Good setting - a hotel so cozy, so unbelievably cozy that it feels unreal and suspicious.
But!
Miss Marple gets the backseat here, which is a shame. The bovine investigator, who's solving the mystery, has potential, but is not as well-developed as a character.
When the mystery is finally solved, it's a bit disappointing, having in mind the great set-up. And why the flashy scene at the end?..
But!
Miss Marple gets the backseat here, which is a shame. The bovine investigator, who's solving the mystery, has potential, but is not as well-developed as a character.
When the mystery is finally solved, it's a bit disappointing, having in mind the great set-up. And why the flashy scene at the end?..
I liked the previous Miss Marple book that I read so much I immediately borrowed another!
At Bertram's Hotel takes place in London, where Miss Marple is on holiday. The main 'mystery' for most of the book is the disappearance of a clergyman, who is later found alive (but concussed). There is a murder, but it happens towards the end.
I've gotta say, the twist in this story is a lot more incredible than it is in The Body in the Library. But, it was set up well by Chief-Inspector Davy/Father and I ...more
At Bertram's Hotel takes place in London, where Miss Marple is on holiday. The main 'mystery' for most of the book is the disappearance of a clergyman, who is later found alive (but concussed). There is a murder, but it happens towards the end.
I've gotta say, the twist in this story is a lot more incredible than it is in The Body in the Library. But, it was set up well by Chief-Inspector Davy/Father and I ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mission Marple Bo...: General Discussion | 4 | 18 | Jul 05, 2019 11:36PM | |
| The Agatha Christ...: August 2015: At Bertram's Hotel | 9 | 20 | Aug 28, 2015 12:07AM | |
| The French Phrase | 4 | 34 | Jan 03, 2015 01:18PM |
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Agatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.
Agatha Christie is the best-selling author of all time. She wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in Romance. Her books have sold over a billion copies in the English language and a billion in ...more
Agatha Christie is the best-selling author of all time. She wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in Romance. Her books have sold over a billion copies in the English language and a billion in ...more
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“I learned (what I suppose I really knew already) that one can never go back, that one should not ever try to go back—that the essence of life is going forward. Life is really a One Way Street, isn’t it?”
—
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“… one can never go back, that one should not ever try to go back – that the essence of life is going forward. Life is really a One Way Street.”
—
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