The Mirror Crack'd (The Agatha Christie Mystery Collection)

This book has the best murder motive of any mystery I've read. The characterizations are strong, and I like Miss Marple here as I always do, but it is the motive, as well as the ingenuity of the murder itself, that makes this book memorable. The motive isn't revealed until the end, and when I found out what it was, I was dazzled.

Life has begun to change in St. Mary Mead, or has it? A new housing development has brought many new faces to the sleepy little village along with a new supermarket. Gossington Hall (THE BODY IN THE LIBRARY) has been sold to a film star and many old friends have moved away or died. Miss Marple is beginning to feel her years and now must have live-in help (thoughtfully supplied by nephew Raymond West). Some things however, remain the same. The new arrivals have the same problems and flaws as the old with murder as the inevitable result. Although forbidden to garden and no longer as adept at knitting Jane Marple is still quite capable to ferreting out the solution when a young woman is killed in a failed attempt in the film star's life. For Christie fans, particularly Miss Marple devotees this is a must read. It is nice to catch up on village life, visit with some old friends and meet some new ones. It is particularly comforting to see that Miss Marple is doing well and up to her old tricks of beating the police to the punch. Although this is part of a series this cozy mystery could be enjoyed by itself. As always Christie has played fair with the reader, all the clues are presented for the reader to follow, there are no exotic poisons nor last minute surprise suspects (though there is a rather sneaky far fetched coincidence it is only a red herring).

Having more than enough of the patronizing attentions of her live-in companion, Miss Knight, Jane Marple decides to go out for a stroll. While exploring the newest intrusion of suburban expansion called "The Development," the old spinster slips on some loose stones and takes a tumble. Heather Badcock, one of the new residents, helps Miss Marple and invites in her for a nice cup of tea to recover from the shock. There she learns that Mrs. Badcock is a big fan of film diva Marina Gregg and that therefore overjoyed to be invited to Gossington Hall in St. Mary Mead, the new residence of her idol. Big is Jane's surprise when she learns a few days later that Heather got killed during a benefit for a local hospital at Gossington Hall.The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side was written in 1962 and is a great example of the ingenuity of Agatha Christie. Without the burden of numerous side stories, Agatha succeeds is drawing the setting of a murder mystery that not only quite convincing, but also extremely fair. For the experienced detective reader it is possible to catch the killer before a third of the story is told, there is even a very clear hint on the first few pages. It is just the challenge to not let Agatha change your mind before Mrs. Marple explains what at the end is so terribly obvious.Trivia: the motive of the murder is based upon a tragic accident in the life of actress Gene Tierney (I cannot explain further, because that would ruin the story).This story is clearly one of the reasons why Agatha Christie is still rightfully known as the Queen of Crime.

Agatha Christie returns us to St. Mary Mead, Miss Marple's quiet village where much has changed. A new subdivision, young marrieds who buy on the installment plan, and even a supermarket have have invaded the quiet village. Only Miss Marple and her friend Miss Hartnell remain the same, still living in their same homes. Even Col. and Mrs. Bantry's lavish Gossington Hall (the scene of the crime in "The Body in the Library") has changed. After the Colonel's death, Mrs. Bantry put the house up for sale and it has now been purchased by the American film star Marina Gregg and her husband Jason Rudd. The Rudds host a grand reopening of the home to show the villagers the many changes they have made. At the party, a guest dies after drinking a poisoned cocktail. Since the coctail had actually been intended for Marina Gregg, an investigation begins as to why anyone would want to kill her. A frozen stare and facts Miss Marple gathers from movie magazines at the hairdresser's are clues that lead her to solve yet another mystery.In 1980 this novel was transferred to the big screen with Angela Lansbury in the role of Miss Marple. Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and Kim Novak had the other lead roles in this excellent recreation.

This is an excellent book by Agatha Christie. I read And Then There Were None and I thought that was the best book I had ever read. After reading The Mirror Crack'd I have changed my mind. A great boild up with a shocking ending.