Agatha Christie

Rereading A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie

~ megs14malloy

A Murder Is Announced (Miss Marple, #4)A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was my 2nd-time reading A Murder Is Announced, arguably one of Christie’s most beloved mysteries. I actually picked it up for a book club solve-along this time around and had a fantastic time revisiting the mystery and discussing it with a fun group of friends.

I’ve decided to give it the same rating this time around; a 4.5-star rounded up. I love this one. The village vibes and quirky cast of characters are standouts for me.

I highly recommend it for Readers maybe wanting to try out Christie’s work for the 1st-time, but also, of course, to already established Christie stans as well.

See my full thoughts below!

Original:

**4.5-stars rounded up**

As some of you may know, one of my 2023-Reading Goals is to read all of the full-length novels in the Miss Marple series in order.

A Murder is Announced is the third novel in the series and generally considered one of the best. I had been greatly anticipating this one and had so much fun with it.

Christie’s stories are complete nostalgia for me. They’re comfort reads and this one, the classic set-up, it felt completely her.

This one is set in the village of Chipping Cleghorn and follows the events that occur after the local Gazette runs an advertisement stating, A murder is announced and will take place on Friday, October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6.30 p.m.

No one knows what it means, but the village is a titter about it. Many locals decide there is only one way to find out, thus arriving at the stated destination at the appointed time.

As they gather in the residence, without warning the lights are extinguished and a gun is fired. As the lights come back on, a gruesome scene awaits them.

Who is the victim? Who is the killer and why?

As with the previous novels, Miss Marple wasn’t in the house at the time of the crime, but gets consulted after due to her expertise in such affairs.

This had a big cast of quirky characters and it was fun trying to work out all the connections and varied relationships. There is also talk of an inheritance of sorts and I always love that trope.

I wasn’t necessarily trying to figure out the whodunit whilst reading this, but I will say, the reveal did surprise me. I feel like Christie succeeded in pulling the wool over my eyes; a misdirection, if you will.

Overall, I loved it. It was such a great mystery, with intriguing twists that did ultimately surprise me.

Also, I feel like we got more face time with Miss Marple in this one and she was in more danger than ever before. It was tense and intriguing. Well done!

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Review: Evil Under the Sun (Hercule Poirot #24) by Agatha Christie

~ megs14malloy

Evil Under the SunEvil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another fun Hercule Poirot story. Poirot may go on holiday, but he never takes a rest from solving murder.

This one was super fun to try to solve. There were so many suspects, in a gorgeous isolated-island setting. It was wildly-entertaining with red herrings galore.

I feel like Christie brought her true cleverness to these pages. I thought I had it solved, but she fooled me again, and again, and again. So many clues, so little time…

I’ve never heard much buzz about this one, and upon reading it, I’m actually surprised. Mostly, that it wasn’t made into a film when the other big ones were recently redone. I feel like this could translate so well to the screen.

I know it has been adapted before, but I think it’s time for a reboot. The setting alone, the isolated, tranquil resort island, would be worth the price of admission.

I thought Poirot’s personality showed quite a bit in this one as well, which was fun to see. He was witty and engaging with the other guests, all whilst taking it all in. As he does.

I would definitely recommend this to any Christie fan, if you’ve yet to read it. It’s also a perfect Summer read, as a lot of the scenes are set at the beach, giving it a warm summertime feel.

I’m glad I made time for this one, and am looking forward to my next Agatha Christie read!

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Review: The Hollow (Hercule Poirot #26) by Agatha Christie

~ megs14malloy

The Hollow (Hercule Poirot, #26)The Hollow by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Hollow is the 26th-book in Agatha Christie’s iconic Hercule Poirot series.

I’ll be honest, I hadn’t heard of this one when I discovered it while browsing the shelves at B&N a couple weeks ago. It actually caught my eye because I had never heard of it.

I plucked it off the shelf to find out and immediately fell in love with this cover. I had to have it. A few hours later, I cracked it open on my 2.5-hour ferry ride home.

I was immediately pulled into the story, which follows a colorful cast of characters that Lucy Angkatell, the quirkiest amongst them, has invited to her country house for a holiday weekend.

As it happens, Hercule Poirot is one of the Angkatell’s neighbors, in that he has a country house nearly abutting their property.

Knowing the infamous detective is due to be at his house that weekend, Lucy invites him to dine with them all. His presence should be quite entertaining.

Unfortunately, just as Poirot is arriving for lunch at the Angkatell estate at the appointed time, one of the other guests is discovered shot dead by the pool.

At first, Poirot suspects it is some sort of cruel joke intended for him. He believes they’re acting, but those suspicions are quickly put to rest upon closer examination of the body with copious amount of blood dripping into the pool.

The corpse’s spouse is standing there, holding a revolver, but it can’t be that simple, can it?

Thus, an investigation begins, involving both Poirot and local law officer. This was a fun closed-circle mystery that kept me guessing. It also made me quite sad at the end.

What’s that all about, Agatha?!

I enjoyed that we had a full, unlikable cast of characters to choose from as suspects and each one of them had motive. That’s always the best kind, isn’t it?

And of course we have Poirot there, just slaying, as usual. He’s so beyond other’s deductive skills, but never rubs that in their faces. We love a confident, yet humble man.

I’m surprised, upon reflection, that I’ve never heard of this one. It was so good. I would definitely recommend this to all Christie fans, if you, like me, never had this on your radar. It’s well worth the read.

It had been a while since I had picked up a Christie, a few months at least, and this has reinvigorated my love for her works. I ordered two more today, in fact. I can’t wait to get to them!

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