They Do It With Mirrors - Agatha Christie

Published in an omnibus edition: "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd"; "They Do It With Mirrors" and "Mrs. McGinty's Dead" as part of the "Agatha Christie Crime Collection" by The Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd.: London, 1969.
First published 1952.

This is the first book of Agatha Christie's I have read to feature the character Miss Marple, an elderly woman who is an amateur detective in her own rights. Whereas I prefer the mildly amusing and idiosyncratic character Poirot, having Miss Marple as an investigator adds a different feel to the proceedings, as she is not officially investigating, and often relies on the fact that, as a seemingly innocent older woman, she can learn information without drawing attention to herself.

The plot of They Do It With Mirrors takes a while to get underway - Miss Marple is sent by a friend to check on the friend's sister, Carrie Louise, for whom the friend is worried. Carrie is married to Lewis Serrocold, who runs Stonygates, a home for delinquent boys, and Miss Marple is able to bluff her way into a visit at the household, meeting the usual variety of suspicious characters. However, it is not until Christian Gulbrandsen, Carrie's stepson from a previous marriage, arrives at Stonygates that the plot finally turns into a murder mystery, with Christian being found dead in his room following an altercation between other members of the household.

Honestly, the plot in this story felt a little less gripping than most works of Christie's I have read. The resolution makes sense, but doesn't really give the 'wow' finish of some of her stories. I suppose they can't all do that.

Still, a fairly straightforward detective story, and a fun new investigator for me to have met.

Completed 21 September 2022.

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