The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side by Agatha Christie (Miss Marple Mysteries Book 9) Read Christie October 2024 Selection

 

Publication Date:

November 12, 1962

Length:

256 pages 

Summary:

Marina Gregg, a famous American actress has purchased and moved into Gossington Hall estate in St. Mary Mead, Miss Marple's village. Gregg and her husband Jason Rudd hope to settle down and have a quiet life there when not pursuing acting projects. The town is abuzz with the news and when Marina holds a party to raise money for a good cause everyone wants to be there. With a few close friends and neighbors the evening looks to be a success until a guest is murdered, poisoned with a drink handed to her by Marina. 

It becomes unclear whether Heather or Marina was the intended victim. As more clues emerge, Miss Marple isn't so sure either. Heather Badcock, the deceased, was seen talking to Marina right before her death, although at the time no one knows what was said. It was however, reported that Marina had a strange, stricken look upon her face as Heather talked into her ear.  

Later on, as two more murders occur, Miss Marple is convinced there is a deeper answer with more background than people realize. She sets out to find out what is behind it all with her usual insight into human nature and her sharp way of piecing together seemingly unrelated events. 

My Thoughts:

This was one of my favorite Christie novels so far. The character development and story was strong and engaging. I actually guessed the murderer early on, although in a way I feel as though Christie did not go out of her way to hide that. I think the story was more about the why than the who this time. That part was intricate and not revealed until the very end. It had many layers to it and although you kind of knew it wasn't all known for sure until the last couple of pages. 

Marina Gregg was fascinating to me. She was the epitome of the typical actress.....high strung, beautiful, impulsive, and never satisfied with her current situation. She purchases Gossington Hall and dramatically tells her husband, Jason that they will be happy and content there for a long time. But he knows her well and realizes it is only temporary. Gregg has had multiple husbands and lived mubltiple lives along the way, even adopting and then abandoning children when it didn't suit her lifestyle. Still, something about her makes you feel sorry for her and I pitied her more than disliked her. 

I thought the most tragic figure in the book was her long suffereing husband who clearly loves her for who she is. 

Miss Marple, her caretaker, Miss Knight (who drives Jane Marple crazy!), and her friend Mrs. Bantry (the former owner of Gossington Hall) are all interesting in their own way. I really enjoyed the way Miss Marple is constantly trying to dodge Miss Knight's constant insistence that  Jane "rest" and "not exert herself." Miss Marple, recovering from a fall, is annoyed by all the fussing and it is a cute side edtion to the story. 

A great story, a great mystery, and lots of interesting people make this a good one! I enjoyed it from start to finish.