Tag Archives: Murder at the Vicarage

Murder At the Vicarage Recap

Posted on by

0

It was unanimous. After reading our first Agatha Christie novel, we understand why she is the bestselling author she is. She is so clever; we were all surprised by the ending. There’s a good chance we’ll be reading more of her work in the future. So if you haven’t finished yet, go ahead and do that right now.

We’re not fond of the truly scary, and this book fit the light-hearted murder mystery bill. It actually reminded us a lot of Monday the Rabbi Took Off by Harry Kemelman which we read in September of 2008.

For more discussion, show up on the 2nd Thursday of the month for the live, play-by-play reaction to what we’re reading!

DSC_7434
DSC_7437
DSC_7438
Plus, there’s always yummies to snack on!
(and who can say no to a pumpkin spice latte this time of year?)

DSC_7413
Next time, Thursday Nov. 10th @7pm, we’ll be discussing Velma Still Cooks in Leeway. All I know about Velma is that life happens, and she still cooks. I’m ready to dig into this highly recommended novel and perhaps try a few of her recipes!
DSC_7427
(While you’re ordering Velma, go ahead and buy A Year In Provence, our December book by Peter Mayle. Who couldn’t use comedic stories of the South of France to add even more cheer to your Holidays?)

How did you compare to Miss Marple?

Posted on by

0

If you haven’t finished Agatha Christie’s Murder at the Vicarage, you still have a few hours left to get reading before we meet tonight at Paradise Bakery and Café for our discussion. With cooler, damp, fall weather moving in, it’s the perfect time to be inside a cozy café sipping a warm beverage, enjoying a delicious baked treat and discussing a good old fashioned murder mystery from one of the most prolific authors of all time.

Here are a few questions to get you thinking and to get us talking about the book (in no particular order):
  1. The book is told from the first person point of view of the vicar rather than from the point of view of a narrator or Miss Marple. Was this unusual to you? Do you think it enhanced or hurt the book?
  2. At one point Miss Marple says she has a certain number of suspects. Did you suspect the same number of people she did?
  3. When the mystery was solved, were you right? If not, who was your prime suspect and why?
  4. Do you have a “Miss Marple” in your life? Do you see your self having Miss Marple-like tendencies?
  5. How did this mystery novel compare with any other mystery novels you have read. Were they written after this one? If so, do you think Agatha Christie’s writing may have influenced that author? Why or why not?
Hope to see you all tonight at 7!

"best selling novelist of all time"

Posted on by

0

According to the Guinness Book of World Records our author this month, Agatha Christie, is the best selling novelist of all time! No matter how big or small a book club is… they should read the best, right?!

I previewed this book earlier this year, and I know I will read more of her mysteries. Murder on the Orient Express is now in my ibooks waiting for me. Granted, I’ve only read one of her 66 detective novels I may not be the best judge… but the mystery, the funny, the British, the lack of gore won me over, for sure.



Christie had a full life, a life she chronicled in two autobiographies.

So I don’t spoil those books, incase you’d like to read them, here is a glimpse of her life… in numbers:

1890 -the year she was born
1 brother
1 sister
4 yrs old -when she taught herself to read
1st World War -worked as a hospital nurse, and in a pharmacy (with poisons… great for her future plots!)
1914 -married first husband, Archibald Christie an aviator
1 daughter, Roselind
11 days -how long she was missing after news of her first husband’s unfaithfulness
1930 -married her second husband, an Max Mallowan an archeologist
2nd World War -worked in the pharmacy at University College Hospital, again with poisons.
1968 -because of her husbands knighthood, she became Lady Mallowan.
85 -age at her death

66 detective novels
14 short story collection
24,000 performances of her stage play, Mouse Trap

1st recipient of the Mystery Writers of America’s highest honour, the Grand Master Award


I hope you join us next Thursday October 13th at 7:00 at Paradise Bakery and Cafe for a great discussion!

Happy Reading,
Sarah