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The Body in the Library (Miss Marple, #2)

Agatha Christie

Start date: April 1, 2025

Finish date: April 30, 2025

Discussion: Group Challenges

Why we're reading this: The second Miss Marple novel
[close] The second Miss Marple novel

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Group Challenges

* Sept 25: The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928) by Agatha Christie
By Susan · 17 posts · 20 views

last updated Sep 25, 2025 01:00PM

* Sept 25: The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928) - SPOILER Thread
By Susan · 13 posts · 22 views

last updated Sep 16, 2025 12:58PM

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What Members Thought

Jan 19, 2017 Susan rated it it was amazing

When a peroxide blonde is found dead in the library at Gossington Hall, Colonel and Mrs Bantry are perplexed. However, Mrs Bantry is determined that the crime should be solved, aware that suspicion will fall on her husband ("no smoke without fire...") and wisely calls in Miss Marple. When the body is identified as Ruby Keene, a dance hostess at the Hotel Majestic in Danemouth, Dolly Bantry and Miss Marple head off for a short break to do a spot of sleuthing.

This is a classic Christie novel and t ...more

43 likes · Like · see review

Feb 04, 2017 Damaskcat rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: miss-marple

The body of a young woman is found in Colonel Bantry's library. Mrs Bantry immediately sends for her friend Miss Jane Marple and the Colonel sends for the police. It seems the victim is working temporarily at the Majestic Hotel as a dancer and has inveigled her way into the affections of one of the guests to the extent that Mr Jefferson wants to legally adopt her.

This is of course means there are plenty of people who might have wanted Ruby dead including her fellow workers at the Majestic and Co ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

May 04, 2018 Kavita rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, uk, golden-age-mystery

Since I am on a Miss Marple spree, I decided to read them in sequence, leaving out the short stories for later. In The Body in the Library, Miss Marple is called upon by her good friend, Dolly Bantry, to solve the mystery of the dead body of a young woman that had suddenly appeared in her library one morning.

The trail leads to the Majestic Hotel, where the dead girl's cousin worked. From there, it was a short step to finding out suspects. A rich old man who was giving patronage to the young gir ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Mar 14, 2015 Ellen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery-sleuth, christie, miss-marple

The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie.

This is a cozy mystery worth enjoying while relaxing on a do nothing week-end.

Characters are well detailed as is their involvement with one another. The mystery is who and why was a murdered victim left in Mr. & Mrs. Bantry's library. No sooner are the local police called in to the Bantry residence to investigate then Mrs. Bantry notifies her long time friend, Miss Marple, and requests her assistance in the matter.

As the investigation proceeds and the ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 29, 2017 ShanDizzy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This was such a great book to listen to. The redoubtable Miss Marple is simply fantastic. Her insight into human nature is remarkable, and a bit sad since she tends to hardly trust anyone's word. I'm re-reading many of her stories and absolutely enjoying revisiting "an old friend." ...more

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Oct 09, 2018 Becky rated it liked it

A classic Marple, comforting and interesting.

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Mar 10, 2018 Pranit rated it really liked it

Shelves: miss-marple

Yet another Miss Marple. I didn’t expect the final revelation the way it described in the book. Without giving any spoilers, I would like to say that I love stories with double bluff!

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Jan 10, 2023 Frances rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-series

3.5*. A fun, complicated, and twisty mystery from the Queen. Miss Marple is always enjoyable and the play on the mystery genre within the novel is entertaining.

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