The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
Mystery, 288 pages
Mystery, 288 pages
The first Miss Marple mystery, one which tests all her powers of observation and deduction.
“Anyone who murdered Colonel Protheroe,” declared the parson, brandishing a carving knife above a joint of roast beef, “would be doing the world at large a favor!”
It was a careless remark for a man of the cloth. And one which was to come back and haunt the clergyman just a few hours later–when the Colonel is found shot dead in the clergyman’s study. But as Miss Marple soon discovers, the whole village seems to have had a motive to kill Colonel Protheroe.
“Anyone who murdered Colonel Protheroe,” declared the parson, brandishing a carving knife above a joint of roast beef, “would be doing the world at large a favor!”
It was a careless remark for a man of the cloth. And one which was to come back and haunt the clergyman just a few hours later–when the Colonel is found shot dead in the clergyman’s study. But as Miss Marple soon discovers, the whole village seems to have had a motive to kill Colonel Protheroe.
I'm giving it a 3 because I didn't hate it and I didn't love it. It's one of those books that falls right in the middle but first I need to get something out of the way.
I have never read an Agatha Christie novel.
There, it has been said.
I received this audio free from the SYNC summer reading program last year. Apparently it’s the first book in a series. I usually pick up series books mid-series and only manage to aggravate myself and anyone unfortunate enough to be reading my reviews so thanks SYNC!
In the beginning, I very much enjoyed this audio despite the male narrator and his often grating/cringe-worthy performance of the women characters. It was witty and slyly sarcastic and surprisingly approachable. I was expecting it to be stuffy and a little boring considering it is told from an elderly vicar’s POV but I was wrong. His thoughts about the ladies who surround him are pretty darn hilarious. He’s also married to a very young lady who is quite comical herself as well as charming. She never thinks badly of anyone. Even when they probably deserve it! I should probably aspire to be more like her.
Sooo, as will happen in these sorts of tales, someone is murdered and the rest of the book is spent tracking down the culprit. The particular victim in this case was a highly unpleasant man, thus there are loads of potential murderers running about. Loads of them.
Unfortunately, once the sleuthing kicked in it started to lose me and I got a little bored. Cozy mysteries just aren’t for me and I won’t be reading any more of these even if you tell me I’m missing some life altering experience.
Life is too short to read books that aren’t your thing. And this isn’t my thing.
You know, I've never read an Agatha Christie novel either so don't feel badly. I think I tried in high school but that was too long ago to remember. At least you didn't totally hate it!
ReplyDeleteYes, it could always be worse :)
DeleteI still need to read a Christie book!
ReplyDeleteReally? I am so glad I am not the only one!
DeleteGood to know what's not your thing at least. I know a lot of people who love these. My mom and grandparents read ALL of them I bet. I've not read one yet either, though.
ReplyDeleteYep, my MIL read them all too and adored them and tried to push them on me for years.
Delete