Sleeping Murder / The Murder At The Vicarage

by Agatha Christie

Of all the memorable characters in detective fiction, Agatha Christie’s Miss Jane Marple is among the most engaging. Unrivaled as a female sleuth, she has captivated two generations of readers and filmgoers.

"Sleeping Murder," Miss Marple’s final case, was written when Dame Agatha was at the peak of her creative talent, and has only recently been released for publication. It marks a double farewell, first to Agathe Christie, one of the greatest mystery writers of all time, and second, to that universally beloved spinster, Miss Jane Marple. In the novel Miss Marple goes to the aid of a newlywed couple whose recently purchased Victorian home may conceal a strange and frightening secret. It's ingenious, imaginative and utterly tantalizing.

"Sleeping Murder" becomes even more meaningful when presented along with Miss Marple’s first adventure, "The Murder at the Vicarage," in which she must discover which of the numerous persons who confess to a seemingly impossible murder is actually guilty of the crime. The novel won unanimous critical acclaim when originally published. "Saturday Review," called it “without a doubt the best detective story Agatha Christie has written since "Roger Ackroyd.”

Both vintage Christie, these two Marple adventures—her first and last—are a reader’s delight.

Librarian's note: this entry is for a combination of two of the 13 books in the Miss Marple series, which includes twelve novels and one collection of short stories - "The Thirteen Problems." There are a total of 20 short stories about Miss M, seven of which can be found in other collections. Entries for each of the individual novels and short stories can be found on Goodreads.

Genres: Mystery, Agatha Christie, Fiction, Classics, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Detective

379 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Agatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.

Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.

This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.

Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)

Reviews

[Jack Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. I reviewed the individual Miss Marple novels, 'Sleeping Murder' and 'The Murder at the Vicarage,' elsewhere on Goodreads. Gave them 3 Stars and 4 Stars respectively. I'm not a huge fan of this kind of publishing, that is, publishing two titles from a series in one larger volume. Check the review numbers on Goodreads; the first in a series by such an important author as Agatha Christie is usually the highest reviewed by far with the largest number of ratings and written reviews too. That's not just a Goodreads phenomena, but it shows up in book sales as well. Of course, something like a popular movie for one of the later volumes can change that. I shouldn't be a cynic but someone at the publisher's office surely asks, 'Why not combine the first one with a later one in the series to drive up sales of the second?' 'Sleeping ..' is a touch tired, but '.. Vicarage' will remain with you for a long time. It's one of her best, and one of the best mysteries ever written. Most importantly, both of them are by Christie. Enough said. (Fe2021/Ja2025)

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two of my favorites!



Sleeping Murder & Murder at the Vicarage both some of the best Marple books, imho.
I've already reviewed both books elsewhere (links above), but if you're new to Agatha Christie or Miss Marple, this would be a great place to start!



Murder at the Vicarage is Miss Marple's first book (yes, the short stories were 1st-first, but you know what I mean, nerd!) and Sleeping Murder is that last full-length Marple story.
So. Yeah.
Highly Recommended.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I had finished reading all the Nancy Drew books available at the time, I moved on to Agatha Christie. Back in the day I was a member of the Literary Guild, which made me feel very grown-up. Books delivery has always been a delight, one I've enjoyed longer than, say pizza delivery. I seem to be very keen on nostalgically revisiting books of my youth.

Gah! I remembered reading Murder at the Vicarage recently, like last summer, and went to see what copy I had reviewed. "Last year" was three years ago. Middle age is weird. Time is just whizzing past at a furious rate.

Anyway, I anticipate this is going to be beloved.

***

This is funny: before I started rereading it I couldn't have told you much about it. So it was just "ah, that's right" and "I remember now" except that I did very clearly remember the crime, and who dunnit, and all the important clues that were overlooked in favor of red herrings along the way. So, fun nostalgia, but also, I feel brilliant!

Library copy

[Phayvanh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I disagree with the arrangement here. Miss Marple's first book should be first, ending with the last. That's how I read them anyway. I don't think it makes a lick of difference otherwise. These are some of the best books, ever. so don't ask to borrow them from me, I probably won't let you.

I'm reviewing both books under their separate titles, but I read them in this one volume.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story told by a great storyteller. I never know who to suspect while their throwing all these little tidbits at you. This book is actually two of Agatha Christie's stories, her last one (Sleeping Murder) and her first one(The Murder at the Vicarage). In the first one, which is actually the last one she wrote, a woman goes looking for a town or village, someplace close to the water. Her new husband puts her in charge of this task because he is busy with work. She travels from town to town until she finds this cute little place. Strange things happen, unusual coincidences, where this woman, when she was a little girl, remembers seeing a dead woman in her front hall. They get a name and begin to search for her. So many things come together, so many things to be checked out. The second story, which is Miss Marple's first of many cases, involves a man who is not too well liked, who is found murdered in the vicar's study. Everyone is a suspect. I admit, the person that I thought was the guilty party was in no way responsible. Agatha Christie does a splendid job of spinning a web involving many people who "could" be guilty. The list of suspects is plentiful: there's the second wife,a much younger woman, the first wife is out of the picture, the daughter, the artist, the doctor, the archaeologist, the secretary, assorted unusual characters who live in this small village. Even the vicar and his wife are suspected at some point. Did not see this one coming. I hope you like this book as much as I did.

[Karlyne Landrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at the Vicarage was the first Miss Marple and a very good one, too.  But Sleeping Murder, the last Miss Marple, is downright creepy and scary and not to be read at night.  Or even in the early morning.

[Mare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy the trail of clues that Ms. Christie leaves behind.

[Dario]

does naybody know where this quote can be found in the book?
"The young people think the old people are fools, but the old people know that young people are fools" Miss Marople

[Amy Knighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder At The Vicarage is my favorite Christie book. I love Mary the maid.

[Anne Turnley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully intricate story with many twists and turns. As usual, very difficult to decide "who done it". Characters are presented in real depth.

[Michell Karnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this Christie novel I liked how Miss Marple was a prominent background character. She helped the two main characters find the murderer through her questions and suggestions.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's very dangerous to believe people. I haven't for years." - Miss Jane Marple.

I checked this edition out from my library to read the first Miss Marple, "The Murder At The Vicarage" for an Agatha Christie readalong. When I shared this odd edition, I was told that the "last Miss Marple" mystery was written during WW2 between her 3rd and 4th books -- "The Moving Finger" (1942) and "A Murder is Announced" (1950). Apparently that is not known for certain but, since I've read the 2nd and 3rd Miss Marple books, I decided to go ahead and read "Sleeping Murder" while I had it checked out.

Christie tricked me with "Murder At The Vicarage" but I solved "Sleeping Murder"!

[Julia Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the things I love about Agatha Christie's books is that they keep you guessing until the very end. I nearly got the answer to the mystery this time!

[Nabeela · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Sleeping Murder" (4 stars) and "The Murder at the Vicarage," (3.5 stars). However, I must point out that the order in which the books were arranged in the series was not to my liking. Miss Marple's first book should have been first, and the last book should have been last, but that's just my opinion.

"Sleeping Murder" was a thrilling read with a faster pace and an exciting storyline, while "The Murder at the Vicarage" was slow and took its time to build up the story. Nevertheless, Agatha Christie did an excellent job of creating a web of suspects who "could" be guilty, and the list of suspects was long. The ending of both books was fantastic and kept me guessing until the end.

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine Miss Marple mystery, not tired out like some of the later Hercule Poirot novels. I enjoyed it a great deal, and found the main characters engaging. In fact, I enjoyed being hoodwinked, as well. I really thought I had it this time, and I was wrong. And I didn't mind in the least.
It has a few words that a parent might not want their child reading, especially towards the end. One woman's moral character is questioned and certain words are thrown about- 'nymphomaniac' and stuff like that. There also is a certain amount of threat, spookiness, and violence, because this is a murder mystery. Just a side note.

[Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both were good, enjoyable stories. Agatha Christie is very good at making you think that it can't possibly be one of the characters, only to turn that around and have that character be the culprit. I don't think I even consciously realized I was dismissing those characters in these two stories. Oh well. Maybe someday I will be able to read a Christie novel and actually suspect the correct character. It is likely, however, that I will be able to do no such thing.

[KATHLEEN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the Poirot 'last and first' volume I see a definite difference in Christie's style between the two books. In "The Murder..." Christie seems at the height of her powers. The book is a humorous take on village life as well as an intricate murder mystery solved, of course by Miss Marple. The identity of the murderer surprised me. "Sleeping..." on the other hand, was a dark and sad tale and the identity of the murder was not hard to guess. And now I want to read all the books in between again.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as a piece of Knit Lit recommended on a list I found here at goodreads.com.

While I have to say I love the mysteries that Agatha Christie wrote, I don't think this qualifies as Knit Lit. Miss Marple thought about yarn in one story and visited a LYS in the other. She spent much more time in the garden than any other activity.

[Apryl Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

These were such a fun read, although the order should be reversed--Murder at the Vicarage obviously was written first.

Christie had a canny understanding of the more devious aspects of human nature. Her sense of humor turn spite to good clean fun. As the good vicar says, "I think each one of us in his secret heart fancies himself as Sherlock Holmes." Not so secret, maybe...

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lets just say I like Agatha Christie on PBS or BBC better than I actually like reading it. When I was much younger I can remember I loved reading Agatha Christie, maybe because it was different and intriguing for me. I am not saying the story was good by no means, it just kinda caused me to zone out many times throughout the book. So I will leave it at that.

[Jennifer Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first Agatha Christie book I ever read, back when I was still too young to get some of the subtext; even so, I became hopelessly hooked. Christie is often far too clever with her solutions, but these two mysteries sit just right.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very read with lots and twists and turns plus a meddling old lady. It reminds me of a good Law and Order as you circle around the suspects each getting more guilty but something's is still off. Just loved it!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a delightful two-for-one. It was interesting reading the last Miss Marple story first, and then reading the first Miss Marple, but if you are feeling rebellious, read them in the opposite order. It doesn't really matter; they both are wonderful and should be read.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good. I was captivated from first to last page. How have I not read Agatha Christie before? The characters were all intriguing and quirky, the mysteries weren’t easily predictable, and the unfolding of the tales were spell binding. I practically devoured these stories.

[Adam Barr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sacrilege, I know...but although Sleeping Murder was quite engaging, I found Vicarage to be a bit slow and backwards-feeling. Miss Marple wasn't involved deeply enough or early enough for my tastes. But this is Dame Agatha we're talking about, so I will surely give it another chance...later.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

January 1988
With (above)

[Amyem]

Reread Sleeping Murder

Started 22 May 2014
Finished 24 May 2014

Reread Murder at the Vicarage

Started 24 May 2014
Finished 26 May 2014

[Roshni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ms. Marple uses her human nature to win again

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

second one especially clever

[Carole]

Both of these books were very good. I've always like Miss Marple's mysteries.