Changes have come to St. Mary's Mead. A big housing development (known as the Development) has sprung up, Mrs. Bantry has sold her house to a movie star after her husband's death, and Miss Marple has become frail enough that her doctor has ordered her to have a 24-7 caregiver. The caregiver, Mrs. Knight, is obnoxious and infantilizing, and Miss Marple is depressed and diminished under her care. But a murder turns out to be (literally!) just what the doctor ordered...
This has a great hook for the mystery. Marina, the movie star, and her director husband Jason host a charity open house. A local woman, Heather Badcock, is a huge fan of Marina and met her once some ten years ago. While Heather is recounting well-worn story to Marina, Mrs. Bantry sees a frozen look of utter shock come over Marina's face as she stares straight past Heather at the party crowd. When Heather's drink is spilled, Marina gives Heather her own drink. Heather drinks it and dies.
Who or what did Marina see? Was the poison meant for Marina? Will Miss Marple ever get out from under the thumb of the awful Mrs. Knight?
I'd read this before and had remembered the murder mystery fairly well, particularly its very memorable motive. (I read this while on vacation, and![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
freegratis had also read it and recalled the motive.) I'd forgotten the storyline involving Miss Marple and her caregiver, and was very invested in it on this read.
( Read more... )
I have to note that this book includes characters named Badcock, Allcock, Lowcock, and Clithering. That is a lot of cocks and clits, in addition to the inevitable "old pussy."
Christie Ism Scale: Ableism, both embedded in the narrative and depicted but not narratively endorsed. Anti-Italian slurs.
Next up: A Caribbean Mystery.
This has a great hook for the mystery. Marina, the movie star, and her director husband Jason host a charity open house. A local woman, Heather Badcock, is a huge fan of Marina and met her once some ten years ago. While Heather is recounting well-worn story to Marina, Mrs. Bantry sees a frozen look of utter shock come over Marina's face as she stares straight past Heather at the party crowd. When Heather's drink is spilled, Marina gives Heather her own drink. Heather drinks it and dies.
Who or what did Marina see? Was the poison meant for Marina? Will Miss Marple ever get out from under the thumb of the awful Mrs. Knight?
I'd read this before and had remembered the murder mystery fairly well, particularly its very memorable motive. (I read this while on vacation, and
freegratis had also read it and recalled the motive.) I'd forgotten the storyline involving Miss Marple and her caregiver, and was very invested in it on this read. ( Read more... )
I have to note that this book includes characters named Badcock, Allcock, Lowcock, and Clithering. That is a lot of cocks and clits, in addition to the inevitable "old pussy."
Christie Ism Scale: Ableism, both embedded in the narrative and depicted but not narratively endorsed. Anti-Italian slurs.
Next up: A Caribbean Mystery.
