Dec 25: They Do It With Mirrors (1952) by Agatha Christie

[Susan]

Welcome to our December 25 challenge read of They Do It with Mirrors Published in 1952 this is the sixth book in the Miss Marple series.

Miss Marple senses danger when she visits a friend living in a Victorian mansion which doubles as a rehabilitation centre for delinquents. Her fears are confirmed when a youth fires a revolver at the administrator, Lewis Serrocold. Neither is injured. But a mysterious visitor, Mr Gilbrandsen, is less fortunate – shot dead simultaneously in another part of the building.

Pure coincidence? Miss Marple thinks not, and vows to discover the real reason for Mr Gilbrandsen’s visit.

Please do not post spoilers in this thread. Thank you.

[Susan]

I am currently listening to this on Audible. I think it was the last Miss Marple book I ever read and I am less familiar with it than the others. Interested to hear everyone's thoughts.

[Sandy]

I listened to the Joan Hickson narration. Good even though every one sounds like Miss Marple.

Off to the spoiler thread.

[Sandy]

I think these sisters appear again in a later book. They did not seem at all like sisters!

[Frances]

I'm about 2/3 of the way through my reread-I vaguely remember how it was done, but can't remember the finer points and as always with these rereads I'm enjoying watching for clues and misdirections.

[Jackie]

I haven't started yet - I will by Monday, I think - but accidentally was reading in the spoiler thread which was a mistake. I would guess I have read it, but it's been long enough I don't remember any of it. Looking forward to it!

[Judy]

Thanks for opening these threads up, Susan. I haven't started rereading yet but will soon.

I will just link the spoiler thread below:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Jan C]

May read it again soon. Almost finished with A Murder Is Announced.

[Susan]

I enjoyed my re-read. I went to see The Mousetrap last night, which I had only seen once before, many years ago. I forgot how the heart of that play was quite difficult - revolving around the death of a child. That's no spoiler as there was a whole book about it. The Mousetrap: 70th Anniversary Edition It just reminded me that Christie is not as cosy as people think and that she didn't shy away from difficult themes. In this book, of course, the action is set in a remedial home for teenage boys and some characters are quite sneery about the do-gooders that want to help these boys. It feels quite modern.

[Judy]

I've just started rereading this one - I see I gave it a low rating last time around but don't remember why. Enjoying it so far but I haven't read very much yet.

Just came across this great line: "Mildred married a Canon Strete - a nice man but given to colds in the head."

[Judy]

P.S. I like the fact that Miss Marple gets off the train at Market Kindle!

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "I enjoyed my re-read. I went to see The Mousetrap last night, which I had only seen once before, many years ago. I forgot how the heart of that play was quite difficult - revolving around the death..."

I agree, it felt modern, with the very sincere and enthusiastic psychiatrist and philanthropists on one side, but also a lot of sneering about ‘do-gooders’ wanting to help rather than punish. I didn’t recall a lot of the story, but enjoyed my reread more than I expected. I still want to watch the Joan Hickson version to refresh my memory.