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Miss Marple #5-6, 8-9
A Caribbean Mystery / A Pocket Full of Rye / The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side / They Do It with Mirrors
4/12 Miss Jane Marple mysteries
1 Caribbean Mystery - Garrulous Major Palgrave dies of rumored heart trouble, pressure pills found, but not photo of a killer.
2 Pocket Full of Rye - Rex Fortescue, ‘king’ of a financial empire was in his study, wife in the parlor - both dead like the rhyme
3 Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side - Actress Marina Gregg sees a murder and Dolly Bantry the look of terror on her face.
4 They Do It With Mirrors - In a country house with 200 juvenile delinquents and seven heirs, a shot is fired, death is elsewhere.
1 Caribbean Mystery - Garrulous Major Palgrave dies of rumored heart trouble, pressure pills found, but not photo of a killer.
2 Pocket Full of Rye - Rex Fortescue, ‘king’ of a financial empire was in his study, wife in the parlor - both dead like the rhyme
3 Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side - Actress Marina Gregg sees a murder and Dolly Bantry the look of terror on her face.
4 They Do It With Mirrors - In a country house with 200 juvenile delinquents and seven heirs, a shot is fired, death is elsewhere.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
4 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Christie
5,798 books75k followersAgatha 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)
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)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 24, 2016
Wouldn't normally sit down & read so many Miss Marples consecutively, but Christmas/New Year gave me time to indulge in quite a bit of reading & I needed a break from The Almost Moon, so decided to 'go for it'.
A Caribean Mystery
This is one of the few Miss Marple's that I don't already know from a TV adaptation. As such it was much more enjoyable - I didn't know 'whodonit' and had the entertainment of trying to work it out. Did notice a pointer to the future tho: at one point Jason Rafiel comments that Miss Marple doesn't look much like Nemesis. I had to double check, but sure enough, the old friend who leaves a bequest for Miss Marple if she solves a mystery in the book: Nemesis, is, of course, Jason Rafiel!
So in the story, Miss Marple has been sent to the Caribean for the winter by her nephew Raymond. One evening, another resident asks if she wants to see a snapshot of a murderer, is interupted before he can find said photo and promptly gets bumped off during the night. So who overheard & realised that there was a photograph to incriminate them? The usual twists & turns ensue until Miss Marple saves the day & solves the mystery.
A Pocket Full of Rye
This one, I had seen on TV, so had a fair idea of all that would happen, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment too much. It was still interesting to see how the book and adaptation varied.
As always, there's a murder (or three) and a convoluted plot and, of course, Miss Marple turning up and solving it. Always amazes me, the way an old lady can talk her way into staying in these grand houses with not as much as a bye or leave.
The Mirror Cracked from Side to Side
This one I did struggle with a little in that I could not get Elizabeth Taylor out of my head whilst reading it. Having said that, the film had a few differing characterisations and had very little of the 'colour' that the book contained re the domestic arrangements of Miss Marple and the changes that time had wrought on St Mary Mead. That was the saving grace as the twists & turns were all too well know to me.
They do it with mirrors
Didn't read this one as it I'd already read it a few years ago. It was the first of Agatha Christie's books I'd ever read & I must have enjoyed it as I've been working my way through the rest ever since.
Lastly, one big disappointment in these collections is that they dot back & forth in time. Why did the editors think that was a good idea? A Caribean Mystery & The Mirror cracked are from late in Miss Marple's life, whilst They do it with Mirrors is the first & A Pocket Full of Rye is also fairly early. Would be much better, in my opinion, to put them in chronological order.
A Caribean Mystery
This is one of the few Miss Marple's that I don't already know from a TV adaptation. As such it was much more enjoyable - I didn't know 'whodonit' and had the entertainment of trying to work it out. Did notice a pointer to the future tho: at one point Jason Rafiel comments that Miss Marple doesn't look much like Nemesis. I had to double check, but sure enough, the old friend who leaves a bequest for Miss Marple if she solves a mystery in the book: Nemesis, is, of course, Jason Rafiel!
So in the story, Miss Marple has been sent to the Caribean for the winter by her nephew Raymond. One evening, another resident asks if she wants to see a snapshot of a murderer, is interupted before he can find said photo and promptly gets bumped off during the night. So who overheard & realised that there was a photograph to incriminate them? The usual twists & turns ensue until Miss Marple saves the day & solves the mystery.
A Pocket Full of Rye
This one, I had seen on TV, so had a fair idea of all that would happen, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment too much. It was still interesting to see how the book and adaptation varied.
As always, there's a murder (or three) and a convoluted plot and, of course, Miss Marple turning up and solving it. Always amazes me, the way an old lady can talk her way into staying in these grand houses with not as much as a bye or leave.
The Mirror Cracked from Side to Side
This one I did struggle with a little in that I could not get Elizabeth Taylor out of my head whilst reading it. Having said that, the film had a few differing characterisations and had very little of the 'colour' that the book contained re the domestic arrangements of Miss Marple and the changes that time had wrought on St Mary Mead. That was the saving grace as the twists & turns were all too well know to me.
They do it with mirrors
Didn't read this one as it I'd already read it a few years ago. It was the first of Agatha Christie's books I'd ever read & I must have enjoyed it as I've been working my way through the rest ever since.
Lastly, one big disappointment in these collections is that they dot back & forth in time. Why did the editors think that was a good idea? A Caribean Mystery & The Mirror cracked are from late in Miss Marple's life, whilst They do it with Mirrors is the first & A Pocket Full of Rye is also fairly early. Would be much better, in my opinion, to put them in chronological order.
April 4, 2021
4 Stars. None at the highest level of the Miss Marple collection, but all worth a read. Mind you, there will be no murders announced or poisoned pen letters arriving in your mail. I am prone to select "A Caribbean Mystery" as the best of a good lot. Perhaps its because I saw Joan Hickson's magnificent performance and know that the story was set in Barbados for which I have fond memories. An old blowhard, is there a grain of truth to anything he says, claims he has a photo of a murderer and then he himself is found dead. "The Mirror Crack'd" is set at Gossington Hall after Dolly Bantry sold it to the fading Hollywood star, Marina Gregg. A great fete is held but unfortunately, one of the locals dies of poison which looks like it was meant for Miss Gregg. "A Pocket Full of Rye" reminds us of the nursery rhyme and the feast set out for a king. Rex, the king in this instance, found that feast very much to his disliking. Lastly, in "They Do It with Mirrors," the husband of an old school friend of Miss Marple is shot at by one of his unstable pupils but someone else's body is found shortly afterwards. Enjoy the read, I did. (April 2021)
September 7, 2016
I enjoyed this collection for what it is and read from order of date published rather than perhaps the intended order but I liked it this way. Some of the stories stuck out more than others but I do wish I hadn't taken so long to read between them and recommend just reading them with shorter breaks.
Individual 'reviews':
They Do It With Mirrors- read this a while ago and quite quickly so must admit I only vaguely remember it. I remember really liking the setting.
A Caribbean Mystery- I liked the plot and again the setting. There were a bit too many characters in too short a story for me to feel much of an emotional impact (or even remember all of them until half way through). I love that Miss Marple is still knits in summer. 2.5 stars
A Pocket Full of Rye- Holy shit Agatha Christie how does one come up with this stuff? I'm rarely this satisfied with the ending of a mystery. The plot was well wrapped up and the characters were engaging. 4 stars
The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side- I think the characters were much more memorable in this story. The plot was well thought out and the character's backgrounds were well developed. Couldn't have really guessed the twist unless you know a fact that is not mentioned in the books until the reveal and I'm not sure how I feel about that. 3 stars
Individual 'reviews':
They Do It With Mirrors- read this a while ago and quite quickly so must admit I only vaguely remember it. I remember really liking the setting.
A Caribbean Mystery- I liked the plot and again the setting. There were a bit too many characters in too short a story for me to feel much of an emotional impact (or even remember all of them until half way through). I love that Miss Marple is still knits in summer. 2.5 stars
A Pocket Full of Rye- Holy shit Agatha Christie how does one come up with this stuff? I'm rarely this satisfied with the ending of a mystery. The plot was well wrapped up and the characters were engaging. 4 stars
The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side- I think the characters were much more memorable in this story. The plot was well thought out and the character's backgrounds were well developed. Couldn't have really guessed the twist unless you know a fact that is not mentioned in the books until the reveal and I'm not sure how I feel about that. 3 stars
April 30, 2009
Caribbean Mystery =>
Multiple murders, adultery, a crotchety rich old man, his sketchy manservant, the secretary, two silly young couples and the colonel who tells to many stories.
Pocket Full of Rye =>
Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocket full of rye.
Four and twenty blackbirds,
Baked in a pie.
When the pie was opened,
The birds began to sing;
Wasn't that a dainty dish,
To set before the king?
The king was in his counting house,
Counting out his money;
The queen was in the parlour,
Eating bread and honey.
The maid was in the garden,
Hanging out the clothes;
When down came a blackbird
And snapped off her nose.
Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side =>
Out flew the web and floated wide-
The mirror crack'd from side to side;
"The curse is come upon me," cried
The Lady of Shalott.
They Do It with Mirrors =>
A house full of insane young criminals, a sulky american, an alluring italian, two artistic russian brothers, a rich Aunt, her husband, and a dowdy daughter.
October 1, 2012
Entertaining read, but Hercule Poirot is still my favorite.
February 22, 2016
4 stories in one book: I'm not sure why the publisher chose the order of these stories within the book. Miss Marple is alternatively old and impaired and then young and able, and then back to old and back to (relatively) young again. As a reader it was kind of annoying that the stories were not in chronological order.
The age of these books is starting to show in the attitudes of the characters toward women, black people, "lower class" and generally anyone who isn't rich , white and English -but I think it is important not to change these things as this is a real and accurate representation of what was once considered normal and acceptable behavior. It shows how far we have come and I would recommend these books to older kids and teens as they make great launching points for discussions about gender, race and discrimination all wrapped up in a highly readable mystery format (and there is no gratuitous sex, gore or violence).
A caribbean Mystery starts the book but is actually one of the later Miss Marple stories (1964). Not bad but I did pick the murderer within the first two chapters.(2.5 stars)
A Pocket full of Rye is set a good 10 years before Caribbean Mystery (written 1953). The story is a bit more complex and the action is from the perspective of the police inspector for the most part (I quite like the way Christie does that). (4.5 stars).
Mirror Crack'd is again features an "old" Miss Marple (written 1962). Most of the action takes place in the presence of other characters and Miss Marple works things out from that. This one I have seen a couple of times on TV and I did skip over a bit as I clearly remembered the plot(3 stars).
They do it with Mirrors (written 1952) again features a younger Miss Marple but also one of the most unlikely character motivations *Caution spoiler in the next sentence!* (embezzling from an philanthropic fund to get money for a slightly different type of -highly unlikely to be allowed- philanthropic idea! Really!?) But did get a glimpse of young Miss Marple and there were plenty of unlikely deaths :D (3.5 stars).
The age of these books is starting to show in the attitudes of the characters toward women, black people, "lower class" and generally anyone who isn't rich , white and English -but I think it is important not to change these things as this is a real and accurate representation of what was once considered normal and acceptable behavior. It shows how far we have come and I would recommend these books to older kids and teens as they make great launching points for discussions about gender, race and discrimination all wrapped up in a highly readable mystery format (and there is no gratuitous sex, gore or violence).
A caribbean Mystery starts the book but is actually one of the later Miss Marple stories (1964). Not bad but I did pick the murderer within the first two chapters.(2.5 stars)
A Pocket full of Rye is set a good 10 years before Caribbean Mystery (written 1953). The story is a bit more complex and the action is from the perspective of the police inspector for the most part (I quite like the way Christie does that). (4.5 stars).
Mirror Crack'd is again features an "old" Miss Marple (written 1962). Most of the action takes place in the presence of other characters and Miss Marple works things out from that. This one I have seen a couple of times on TV and I did skip over a bit as I clearly remembered the plot(3 stars).
They do it with Mirrors (written 1952) again features a younger Miss Marple but also one of the most unlikely character motivations *Caution spoiler in the next sentence!* (embezzling from an philanthropic fund to get money for a slightly different type of -highly unlikely to be allowed- philanthropic idea! Really!?) But did get a glimpse of young Miss Marple and there were plenty of unlikely deaths :D (3.5 stars).
August 12, 2017
"Agatha Christie was the greatest exponent of the classical detective story. Her unique literary talents have crossed every boundary of age, race, class, geography and education. While she refined the template for a fictional form, the reading of her books became an international pastime." John Curran
I started reading and collecting Agatha Christie books when I was 9 years old. I adored her books and still do. There is a great comfort, as an adult, in reading her books and acute observations of people that favours style over the penny horrors of sadism, torture, and graphic violence favoured by some authors.
I started reading and collecting Agatha Christie books when I was 9 years old. I adored her books and still do. There is a great comfort, as an adult, in reading her books and acute observations of people that favours style over the penny horrors of sadism, torture, and graphic violence favoured by some authors.
December 22, 2015
AC was awesome as usual. I put off reading Miss Marple because I didnt think I would enjoy it as much as Poirot but she has her own charm. Poirot still is #1 but Miss Marple is a cozy,lovely read.She relies more on other people making mistakes rather than deducing stuff but AC made me like her.
November 14, 2015
Miss Marple is smarter than everybody and I love her.
February 6, 2021
Comfort reading...though I'd forgotten how good Christie was, and how pithy her social observation.
October 11, 2021
5 Stars!
I knew Agatha Christie wouldn't disappoint me.
Stranger, if you're reading this, don't be intimated by this volume's size. pick it up now
The cover is amazing (of the edition I have)
I knew Agatha Christie wouldn't disappoint me.
Stranger, if you're reading this, don't be intimated by this volume's size. pick it up now
The cover is amazing (of the edition I have)
April 30, 2022
Four of Christie's best Miss Marple mysteries.
September 10, 2022
Good introduction to Miss Marple,the books are easy to read and keep you guessing who the murderer is,without too much blood and gore.
February 22, 2014
Another volume, containing four novels. This is perhaps my least favourite collection, no one book stands out, although all are excellent reads. And of course, A Carribean Mystery sets up the premise for Nemesis, which really is a favourite.
May 13, 2014
Wonderful!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews