Excellent - Agatha ahead of her time
598507
Excellent as usual - Agatha ahead of her time as this is possibly (I could be wrong...) the first "serial killer" type of book, which is even way beyond current standards I have to say. The plotting is, as usual, faultless, and you are completely taken by surprise in the end.
4010548
Because I could not find this novel until I was well into the Agatha Raisin series, I missed how Sir Charles and Gustav became a part of Agatha' life. It also provided the background for the Murderous Marriage. Basically Agatha and James play husband and wife to investigate the murder charge against Sir Charles. You learn quite a bit about Sir charles' background and his foibles. Finally A victory for our Aggie-maybe
2094435
I  confess that I have a great fondness for middle-aged, love starved, menopausal Agatha Raisin. She is independent and funny with a predilection for somehow getting to the bottom of things, solving mysteries in a somewhat bumbling, yet endearing, fashion. She is certainly not your typical gumshoe.  I always look forward to reading each  book in this series of cozy mysteries, even though the plots may be somewhat formulaic. Who knew that there could be so many murders in the Cotswald? Agatha Raisin is a unique character and a force with which to be reckoned in a weird sort of way.

When Agatha Raisin attends an amateur theatrical in the village of Winter Parva at the behest of her best friend, Mrs. Bloxby, a vicar's wife,  the production takes a grisly turn. One of the cast members, the village baker, is murdered in a particularly gruesome fashion during the performace, leaving behind a wife and son to carry on the family bakery. When Agatha is hired by one of the suspects to investigate the murder,  she dedicates the resources of her detective agency to solving  this case.

Of course, this would not be an Agatha Raisin book, if there were not a new man on the scene towards whom  Agatha Raisin could direct her romantic attentions. In this,  the book does not disappoint. In fact, several potential love interests arise, as do more murders. Moreover, her close friend and sometimes lover, Sir Charles Fraith, gets himself engaged, causing Agatha to experience a twinge of jealousy. So, our girl Agatha is kept quite busy with all that is going on, both personally and professionally.

I thoroughly enjoyed this Agatha Raisin mystery. As with all cozy mysteries, it is not the mystery itself that makes the book special, it is all the recurring characters and sense of place. It is the journey to the mystery's final resolution that is important. Fans of Agatha Raisin will really enjoy this book, as will those who are fans of this genre.
2101279
One of the best of Ms Christie 's mysteries.
2862042
I have a confession to make. I have never read an Agatha Christie mystery. No, not one. But if Ms. Levinson writes even one half as well as Christie, Ive surely been missing out.

This was a fast moving, keep you up reading mystery for sure. Cozy fans will really enjoy the writing style. Indeed, mystery fans of any sub-genre will be delighted with this book.

Give MURDER a la CHRISTIE a read and see for yourself if you are transported into the Christie way of storytelling.
2019581
Having read all of the Agatha Raisin series of books, I really enjoyed reading how Agatha became a sleuth.  Thoroughly enjoyed the book and hope that the series continues.
591004
It was really neat to see the back story of how Agatha got where she is.  You can really see the difference between the young woman she was and her character in the current writings.  I really enjoyed it.
1578582
Honestly, I think she outshines Dame Agatha.  This author excels at witty repartee and weaves mysteries so comfortable and, in the end, satisfactory.  A wonderful escape, absent of gratuitous gore and sparkling with charm and the noble cause.
3641538
What an excellent 'first in series' book! The characters are so interesting! Jordan, looking for a job so she can pay bills and go back to grad school, going to work as a live-in research assistant. I really like her, and enjoy seeing the world through her eyes. The curmudgeon Vera Van Alst (can a lady be called that?) boss, the cook (You! Eat! Eat!), the loving uncles who raised Jordan and lived kind of on the other side of the law. The slapping Siamese cat.
The plot is also interesting - Jordan's first assignment is to find a rumored lost play of Agatha Christie's even though her predecessor had been murdered trying to find it. Exploring in the closely guarded locked, climate-controlled library of Vera's with many valuable editions, getting caught up in eluding the murderer while trying to keep her position. Multi-layered plot. Fun to follow the mystery while learning more about Dame Agatha and her writings. The bad guy/ gal could be the one she least suspects - what will the results be? Especially as others who begin to help her in the search are injured...
Highly recommend for those who love well-written mysteries that are both suspenseful and fun, with eccentric characters (aren't we all) and adorable pets.  Well worth the read!
3404048
I was so delighted with this book!! The continuing evolution of the characters and their relationships actually brought me to tears at the end of the story. I love this series and can't wait for the next one to come out. Bravo Agatha!!!
3421666
Production values on the "Miss Marple" mysteries get better with each succeeding series.  While this reviewer still prefers Geraldine McEwen in the title role, the plots here, character development, guest star cameos, scenery and editing are extremely well done.  Unlike David Suchet's definitive Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple has had nearly half a dozen players, so you have to decide for yourself which one over the decades "has it" for you.  Only disappointment was with the extra DVD on Agatha Christie's home as it moved at a fairly slow pace and did not give enough of a definitive locale (assuming England, of course) though Christiephiles will likely find it entertaining.
208011
Although this doesn't have the drama and excitement of some of the more popular Christie mysteries such as MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS or AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, I rather like it as a quintessential English village mystery. The title derives its name from an anonymous murderer who writes the indefatigable Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, to announce the locale up an upcoming murder. The towns follow an alphabetical pattern.

This mystery novel was written in 1936 so it provides insight into English village life during that time period. I enjoy cerebral mysteries that are more mind games, and this is clever. It actually is one of my more favorite of Dame Agatha's mysteries. If you read Agatha Christie's autobiography, she is quite self-effacing about her writing talent. However, when you read her mysteries you understand why she is the best-selling fiction author of all time. Her books have an accessibility and universal appeal which many can enjoy. If you want a more quiet, but still entertaining, mystery, you may wish to sample this one.
2935127
Can't stop reading this book (though I wish it were signed)!! Now on my 3rd time through reading this book. Can't get enough of Agatha :)
717270
This is the first of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple books, and what I love about it is that it isn't in Miss Marple's Point of View. We see Miss Marple through the observations and reactions of other characters--principally the vicar who narrates the novel. The vicar sees her as just another of the village's busybodies, albeit the shrewdest of the bunch. The police investigating the murder condescend to her and dismiss her theories. Even Miss Marple reveals her thoughts and observations in a self-deprecating way ("I'm so stupid about these things...") but deep down she surely knows herself as the smartest person in the picture ("my hobby is--and always has been--Human Nature"). The whodunit aspect of the story is appropriately convoluted with plenty of red herrings along the way. Only Miss Marple has a clue what all the clues mean, but once she explains it, it all makes sense. The author's portrayal of village life in St. Mary Mead, where everyone knows what everyone else is up to, is perfect and perfectly absorbing. All in all, a very satisfying mystery.
2875734
Even though I am 13 years of age, I have read about three-quarters of the books Agatha Christie has written.  Most of the books I have read by her I found to be flawless and exciting.  I am a devoted fan of her books and refuse to read other murder-mysteries.  When I found out there was a "new" Agatha Christie book out I went straight to the shops to buy it.  I found the book to be very enjoyable and even though it only took me 24 hours to read it (I couldn't put it down and stayed up 'till the early hours of the morning to read it until I got caught and had to go to sleep) I thought it was excellent.  I usually find that the beginning of Agatha Christie books are a bit confusing but this was one of the least.  The murder in the book is a masked mystery until the sureness is proved wrong.  I found the book didn't have much suspense but I don't think it mattered.  Charles Osborne writes very much like Agatha Christie and he even added things that Agatha Christie didn't usually add like a map of the room the murder occured in. For all people who read and liked The Murder of Roger Ackroyd this book is an absolute must.
1007207
I bought this inspite the bad reviews, and I am so glad. This is the real Miss Marple, Joan Hickson was good, but not what Agatha had meant, Geraldine?s Miss Marple is the friendly, deceivingly sweet old lady I have been waiting for. It improves it that they have modified parts of the plot, most entertaining. And the photography, the scenery - superb!
956384
This was a great book. i enjoyed gaining the perspective from Agatha and learning about her life and the other von Trapp members.