They Do It With Mirrors, Agatha Christie

The Book

Miss Jane Marple is having a nice little lunch with one of her American school friends, Mrs. Ruth Van Rydock, when Ruth confides that she thinks her sister, Mrs. Carrie Louise Serracold, is in some sort of danger. Ruth, being a bit pushy, has convinced Carrie Louise to invite Miss Marple to her house. Ruth wants her murder solving friend to go save her sister. Miss Marple agrees, although she is put out that Ruth told Carrie that she (Miss Marple) is short on funds and just needs a few weeks with her wealthy friend to eat some good food in order to right her financial situation. 

When Miss Marple arrives at Stoneygates, she finds that Mr. Serracold has turned the old estate into a college of sorts attempting to reform young, male, juvenile delinquents and set them up on a sustainable path. Carrie Louise is perfectly happy with the situation. Stoneygates, and a great deal of money, was left to her by her first husband, a very wealthy philanthropist. The trust is run by Carrie's current husband, both sons her first husband had before he married Carrie, and a local doctor. 

Living in the Serracold household is Carrie's widowed daughter from her first marriage, a stepson from her second marriage, a granddaughter, the granddaughter's American GI husband, Carrie's paid companion, and Mr. Serracold personal assistant, one of the boys from the rehab institute on the grounds who is apparently doing quite well. While Miss Marple is there, and with most unfortunate timing, the second stepson from Carrie's second husband visits them. As well as the oldest son from Carrie first husband. 

A very public fight ensues, but behind a locked study door between Mr. Serracold and his assistant. A fuse is blown, leaving everyone in the living room literally in the dark. Then, a gun goes off during the fight. A few moments later, Mr. Serracold opens the door, says the shots missed him. The assistant is in some sort of the mental crisis. Mr. Serrcold says they do not need to call the police. Mrs. Serracold's companion disagrees, Mr. Gulbrandson (stepson from marriage #1) is dead. The cops are called in. Evidence is found that Mr. Gulbrandson was there to inform Carrie Louise that he suspected she was being poisoned by arsenic. 

They know Miss Marple's reputation. Miss Marple agrees to help them. But will she solve the crime before more people are dead? And can she save Carrie Louise's life? 

My Thoughts

This is an enjoyable, quick read. It clocks in at just over 200 pages. I did guess who the murderer was, despite there being very few clues. What struck me as both delightful and something writers are instructed to change these days, is the murder doesn't happen until page 76, just over a third of the way through the novel. 

Christie is often accused of being plot heavy and character light, but I don't think that's true. Several of the people in this novel seem very real to me. The copyright on this book is 1952, now 7 years on from the end of WWII, there is less of the post war England in this novel. It's been a fascinating journey through her world and the time period. But the way this novel is written, it could be set any time, and almost any where, as long as Miss Marple has her knitting needles and wool. 

How Much My Library Card Saved Me

This book came to me from the Zion Benton Public Library. I've been here, it's a cute little building. This is one of the later editions of the book. I suspect is is almost brand new. It was difficult (relatively speaking) to hold open and both the cover and interior are pristine. The back of the book says it retailed for $15.99 and that is the number I will use. 

This Book                                                        $15.99

Items Reviewed This Year                             $384.88

Private Books

This Book                                                        $0.00

Total of Private Books                                    $44.89

Total of All Items Reviewed This Year         $449.65

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