My long list of 50 classics to read by 2023 includes two Agatha Christie mysteries. My mother and grandmother introduced me to the delights of Christie when I was in middle school (exact age unclear) and I’ve been a fan ever since. I’ve read almost all her Poirot and Miss Marple mysteries, but thought I hadn’t read this one.

I’ve had a hard time locating a copy here, and was delighted when I found this fun retro copy at the beautiful Daunt Books shop in London. What better souvenirs to bring back to the US than British literature?

As I started reading, the story started to feel familiar, and about two thirds of the way through I was pretty sure I remembered who the murderer was… but this was still a fun (re)read.

The mystery opens with an announcement in the small town newspaper announcing a murder that evening at 6:30. Half the village shows up “randomly” at the house in question around that time, curious to see the outcome. Of course, it turns into a very real murder, soon followed by other murders. The local constabulary needs the help of the unassuming-looking Miss Marple to unravel the tangled web.

I don’t think this is Christie’s finest, but it was still an entertaining read, full of details of village life and the cleverness of the underrated Miss Marple.

★ ★ ★