Marple – serie

A weekly dinner partyTen amateur sleuthsThe Tuesday Night Club murdersOn a quiet Tuesday in St Mary Mead, a group of friends gather for dinner.A policeman, a clergyman, a solicitor, an author, an artist, and an unassuming lady with a shrewd gaze – Miss Jane Marple. Conversation naturally turns to crime.Each recounts a seemingly unsolvable mystery. Each thinks they know the answer.But it’s the one they least expect who understands the true nature of each wicked act… Never underestimate Miss Marple ‘Billions of readers can’t be wrong.’Dreda Say Mitchell ‘The plots are so good that one marvels . . . most of them would have made a full-length thriller.’ Daily Mirror

A quiet English villageA shocking murderAn unlikely detective… Nobody liked Colonel Protheroe. So when he’s found dead in the vicarage study, there’s no absence of suspects in the seemingly peaceful village of St Mary Mead.In fact, Jane Marple can think of at least seven.As gossip abounds in the parlours and kitchens of the parish, everyone becomes an amateur detective.The police dismiss her as a prying busybody, but only the ingenious Miss Marple can uncover the truth …This special edition hardback includes a foreword from bestselling Lucy Foley, author of Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel.

A grand old London hotelA series of alarming coincidencesDanger lurking down every corridorImpeccable service. Luxurious rooms. Eccentric guests. There are worse places for Canon Pennyfather to find himself stranded than Bertram’s Hotel.But when he gets his dates in a muddle and attempts to travel to Lucerne a day too late, he unwittingly sets off a violent chain of events.And Miss Marple is convinced there is more going on than meets the eye. Never underestimate Miss Marple ‘Agatha Christie inspired me, aged eleven, to write my own murder mystery set in a country village. I can’t remember much of the plot (think the vicar did it) but Christie has been inspiring me ever since.’Elly Griffiths ‘Brilliant.’ Guardian

A malicious letterA tragic deathA village filled with suspectsNothing ever happens in the sleepy village of Lymstock.Until letters accusing the villagers of unspeakable acts start to appear.They try to dismiss them as a cruel hoax, but then one of the recipients is found dead. The letter next to her body reads simply, ‘I can’t go on’.As fear spreads among the villagers, Jane Marple must uncover who is writing these letters – before anyone else is hurt. Never underestimate Miss Marple ‘Miss Marple is one of the most subversive, the most original, most distinctive characters in fiction. Often underestimated and overlooked, she always triumphs in the end.’Kate Mosse ‘Beyond all doubt the puzzle in The Moving Finger is fit for experts.’ The Times

A quiet English villageA shocking murderAn unlikely detectiveNobody liked Colonel Protheroe.So when he’s found dead in the vicarage study, there’s no absence of suspects in the seemingly peaceful village of St Mary Mead.In fact, Jane Marple can think of at least seven.As gossip abounds in the parlours and kitchens of the parish, everyone becomes an amateur detective.The police dismiss her as a prying busybody, but only the ingenious Miss Marple can uncover the truth … Never underestimate Miss Marple. ‘Agatha Christie is the gateway drug to crime fiction both for readers and for writers.’ Val McDermid ‘Always keeps her reader enthralled and guessing to the end.’ Times Literary Supplement

A young woman found murderedA scandal in the makingWhen Mrs Bantry wakes to find a body in her library, there’s only one woman to call: her good friend Jane Marple.But she hasn’t called her old friend for comfort.The body in her library has been murdered and Miss Marple is so very good at solving murders.Her investigations uncover a scandal far darker than either of them could have imagined, and this time she may be out of her depth. Never underestimate Miss Marple ‘Christie always defied expectations, not only in her legendary twists and reveals, but also in the underestimated detectives she created as her heroes. The villains never see these sleuths coming – and that’s half the fun.’ Leigh Bardugo ‘One of the most ingeniously contrived of all her murder stories.’ Birmingham Post

A movie starA deadly cocktailA murderWhen glamorous Marina Gregg came to live in St Mary Mead, tongues were sure to wag.But, with a local gossip’s sudden death, has one tongue wagged a bit too much?As the police chase false leads, and two more victims meet untimely ends, Miss Marple starts to ask her own questions.What secrets might link a peaceful English village and a star of the silver screen? Never underestimate Miss Marple ‘Christie’s ingenious plots and fiendish twists set the bar for all of us who follow in her footsteps.’Ruth Ware ‘The pieces finally drop into place with a satisfying click.’ Times Literary Supplement

Two trainsSide by side for a brief momentIn that moment, a murderElspeth McGillicuddy is positive she witnessed a man strangling a woman to death.But it was only the merest glimpse through a carriage window as the trains drew parallel.She is the only witness, there are no suspects, and, most importantly, there is no corpse.Who, apart from her friend Jane Marple, would take her seriously? Never underestimate Miss Marple ‘All crime writers around the globe owe Agatha Christie a massive debt.’Peter James ‘Never a dull moment.’ The Times

A grand old London hotelA series of alarming coincidencesDanger lurking down every corridorImpeccable service. Luxurious rooms. Eccentric guests. There are worse places for Canon Pennyfather to find himself stranded than Bertram’s Hotel.But when he gets his dates in a muddle and attempts to travel to Lucerne a day too late, he unwittingly sets off a violent chain of events.And Miss Marple is convinced there is more going on than meets the eye. Never underestimate Miss Marple ‘Agatha Christie inspired me, aged eleven, to write my own murder mystery set in a country village. I can’t remember much of the plot (think the vicar did it) but Christie has been inspiring me ever since.’Elly Griffiths ‘Brilliant.’ Guardian

A shocking crimeA mansion filled with suspectsRuth Van Rydock can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is going to happen to her sister at Stonygates house.Her old school friend Jane Marple decides it’s time to pay a visit.But this grand Victorian mansion isn’t just a family home – it’s also a correctional facility for wayward young men.And when something terrible does indeed happen, Miss Marple must face her most eccentric cast of suspects yet. Never underestimate Miss Marple ‘If a genius is someone who leaves the field they work in totally different from how they found it, then we should certainly remember Agatha Christie as a genius.’Stephen Fry ‘No one on either side of the Atlantic does it better.’ New York Times

An ordinary villageA shocking announcementOne morning the villagers of Chipping Cleghorn wake to find a strange notice in their papers:‘A murder is announced and will take place on Friday, October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6.30pm.’Suspecting this is just a joke, they gather for some evening entertainment.Then a gunshot is heard.In desperation, the police turn to an old lady whose hobbies are gardening, gossiping – and solving murders.After all, old ladies know better than anyone exactly what goes on in quiet English villages… Never underestimate Miss Marple ‘The queen of jaw-dropping, heart-stopping twists.’Karen M. McManus‘Establishes firmly her claim to the throne of detection. The plot is as ingenious as ever… the dialogue both wise and witty; while the suspense is maintained very skilfully until the final revelation.’A.A. Milne

A letter from beyond the graveOne last requestAn unsolvable crimeWhen Miss Marple receives a letter from the recently deceased millionaire Jason Rafiel, she’s not sure what to make of it.Knowing her deductive skills, he challenges her to solve a crime. If she does so, she will inherit £20,000.The only problem is that he has failed to mention who was involved, or where, and when the crime was committed. Jane Marple is intrigued. Never underestimate Miss Marple ‘Sorry Poirot, but I’m team Marple every time. A mind to rival the great Sherlock Holmes – and much handier with a knitting needle – yet patronised and underestimated by those around her, her invisibility is her superpower. That and her uncanny understanding of the darkest depths of human nature . . .’Lucy Foley ‘Her gift is pure genius.’ Observer

Nine intriguing talesOne unequalled storytellerAn unknown wounded man in a church. A fatal riding accident. A corpse and a tape measure.Whether in St Mary Mead or further afield, there is always much wickedness lurking below the surface, should, like Jane Marple, you have the eyes to see it.Published posthumously, this collection of tales, seven of them featuring Agatha Christie’s much loved Miss Marple, plus two stand-alone stories, is a treasure trove. Never underestimate Miss Marple ‘She gives us an insight into human nature that few, if any, have surpassed.’Susan Lewis ‘The acknowledged queen of detective fiction.’ Observer

An old-fashioned London Hotel is not quite as reputable as it makes out…When Miss Marple comes up from the country for a holiday in London, she finds what she’s looking for at Bertram’s Hotel: traditional decor, impeccable service and an unmistakable atmosphere of danger behind the highly polished veneer.Yet, not even Miss Marple can foresee the violent chain of events set in motion when an eccentric guest makes his way to the airport on the wrong day…

Agatha Christie’s world-famous Miss Marple mystery, reissued with a striking cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.It’s seven in the morning. The Bantrys wake to find the body of a young woman in their library. She is wearing evening dress and heavy make-up, which is now smeared across her cheeks.But who is she? How did she get there? And what is the connection with another dead girl, whose charred remains are later discovered in an abandoned quarry?The respectable Bantrys invite Miss Marple to solve the mystery… before tongues start to wag.

An exotic holiday for Miss Marple is ruined when a retired major is killed…As Jane Marple sat basking in the Caribbean sunshine she felt mildly discontented with life. True, the warmth eased her rheumatism, but here in paradise nothing ever happened.Eventually, her interest was aroused by an old soldier’s yarn about a strange coincidence. Infuriatingly, just as he was about to show her an astonishing photograph, the Major’s attention wandered. He never did finished the story…

Agatha Christie’s audacious mystery thriller, reissued with a striking cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.For an instant the two trains ran together, side by side. In that frozen moment, Elspeth witnessed a murder. Helplessly, she stared out of her carriage window as a man remorselessly tightened his grip around a woman’s throat. The body crumpled. Then the other train drew away.But who, apart from Miss Marple, would take her story seriously? After all, there were no suspects, no other witnesses… and no corpse.

Agatha Christie’s audacious murder mystery, reissued with a striking cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.One minute, silly Heather Badcock had been gabbling on at her movie idol, the glamorous Marina Gregg. The next, Heather suffered a massive seizure. But for whom was the deadly poison really intended?Marina’s frozen expression suggested she had witnessed something horrific. But, while others searched for material evidence, Jane Marple conducted a very different investigation – into human nature.

A collection of Miss Marple mysteries, plus some bonus short stories…First, the mystery man in the church with a bullet-wound… then, the riddle of a dead man’s buried treasure… the curious conduct oif a caretaker after a fatal riding accident… the corpse and a tape-measure… the girl framed for theft… and the suspect accused of stabbing his wife with a dagger.Six gripping cases with one thing in common – the astonishing deductive powers of Miss Marple.Also includes two non-Marple mysteries, `The Dressmaker’s Doll’ and `In a Glass Darkly’.

Agatha Christie’s famous Miss Marple mystery, reissued with a striking cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.Lymstock is a town with more than its share of shameful secrets – a town where even a sudden outbreak of anonymous hate-mail causes only a minor stir.But all that changes when one of the recipients, Mrs Symmington, commits suicide. Her final note said `I can’t go on’. Only Miss Marple questions the coroner’s verdict of suicide. Was this the work of a poison-pen? Or of a poisoner?

Agatha Christie’s first ever Miss Marple mystery, reissued with a striking cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.’Anyone who murdered Colonel Protheroe,’ declared the parson, brandishing a carving knife above a joint of roast beef, `would be doing the world at large a service!’It was a careless remark for a man of the cloth. And one which was to come back and haunt the clergyman just a few hours later. From seven potential murderers, Miss Marple must seek out the suspect who has both motive and opportunity.

Agatha Christie’s most ingenious murder mystery, reissued with a striking cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.The villagers of Chipping Cleghorn, including Jane Marple, are agog with curiosity over an advertisement in the local gazette which reads: `A murder is announced and will take place on Friday October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6.30 p.m.’A childish practical joke? Or a hoax intended to scare poor Letitia Blacklock? Unable to resist the mysterious invitation, a crowd begins to gather at Little Paddocks at the appointed time when, without warning, the lights go out…

A message from a dead acquaintance prompts a bus tour to an unknown crime…In utter disbelief Miss Marple read the letter addressed to her from the recently deceased Mr Rafiel – an acquaintance she had met briefly on her travels.Recognising in Miss Marple a natural flair for justice, Mr Rafiel had left instructions for her to investigate a crime after his death. The only problem was, he had failed to tell her who was involved or where and when the crime had been committed. It was most intriguing.

A handful of grain is found in the pocket of a murdered businessman…Rex Fortescue, king of a financial empire, was sipping tea in his `counting house’ when he suffered an agonising and sudden death. On later inspection, the pockets of the deceased were found to contain traces of cereals.Yet, it was the incident in the parlour which confirmed Jane Marple’s suspicion that here she was looking at a case of crime by rhyme…

The owner of a seaside villa is plagued by strange feelings about its past…Soon after Gwenda moved into her new home, odd things started to happen. Despite her best efforts to modernise the house, she only succeeded in dredging up its past. Worse, she felt an irrational sense of terror every time she climbed the stairs…In fear, Gwenda turned to Miss Marple to exorcise her ghosts. Between them, they were to solve a `perfect’ crime committed many years before.

A man is shot at in a juvenile reform home – but someone else dies…Miss Marple senses danger when she visits a friend living in a Victorian mansion which doubles as a rehabilitiation centre for delinquents. Her fears are confirmed when a youth fires a revolver at the administrator, Lewis Serrocold. Neither is injured. But a mysterious visitor, Mr Gilbrandsen, is less fortunate – shot dead simultaneously in another part of the building.Pure coincidence? Miss Marple thinks not, and vows to discover the real reason for Mr Gilbrandsen’s visit.

The Tuesday Night Club is a venue where locals challenge Miss Marple to solve recent crimes…One Tuesday evening a group gathers at Miss Marple’s house and the conversation turns to unsolved crimes…The case of the disappearing bloodstains; the thief who committed his crime twice over; the message on the death-bed of a poisoned man which read `heap of fish’; the strange case of the invisible will; a spiritualist who warned that `Blue Geranium’ meant death…Now pit your wits against the powers of deduction of the `Tuesday Night Club’.

The first three full-length Miss Marple novels, set before and during the Second World War, see the world's most accomplished amateur sleuth unravelling the dark side of human nature to uncover three cases of Murder Most Foul!The Murder at the VicarageAgatha Christie’s first ever Miss Marple mystery. It was a careless remark for a man of the cloth. And one which was to come back and haunt the clergyman just a few hours later. From seven potential murderers, Miss Marple must seek out the suspect who has both motive and opportunity.The Body in the LibraryIt’s seven in the morning. The Bantrys wake to find the body of a young woman in their library. She is wearing evening dress and heavy make-up, which is now smeared across her cheeks.The Moving FingerLymstock is a town with more than its share of shameful secrets – a town where even a sudden outbreak of anonymous hate-mail causes only a minor stir. But all that changes when one of the recipients, Mrs Symmington, commits suicide. Only Miss Marple questions the coroner’s verdict of suicide. Was this the work of a poison-pen? Or of a poisoner?

A wealthy familyA fatal cup of teaRex Fortescue was enjoying his morning cup of tea when he met his untimely end.Suspicions naturally turn to his wife. He was filthy rich, after all.Then she too is found dead.Strange clues have Scotland Yard’s finest minds scratching their heads. Poisoned marmalade. Dead blackbirds. A victim found with a pocketful of rye.It’s up to Jane Marple to put the pieces of this strange puzzle together… Never underestimate Miss Marple ‘Captivating and addictive, Agatha Christie's work never fails to delight.’Jean Kwok ‘This is the best of the novels starring Christie’s Miss Marple.’ New York Times