Marple: 12 New Mysteries by Various Authors

About the Book

Agatha Christie’s legendary sleuth, Jane Marple, returns to solve twelve baffling cases in this brand-new collection, penned by a host of acclaimed authors skilled in the fine art of mystery and murder
One doesn't stop at one murder...

Jane Marple is an elderly lady from St Mary Mead who possesses an uncanny knack for solving even the most perplexing puzzles. Now, for the first time in 45 years, Agatha Christie’s beloved character returns to the page for a globe-trotting tour of crime and detection.

Join Marple as she travels through her sleepy English village and around the world. In St Mary Mead, a Christmas dinner is interrupted by unexpected guests; the Broadway stage in New York City is set for a dangerous improvisation; bad omens surround an untimely death aboard a cruise ship to Hong Kong; and a bestselling writer on holiday in Italy is caught in a nefarious plot. These and other crimes committed in the name of love, jealousy, blackmail, and revenge are ones that only the indomitable Jane Marple can solve.

Bringing a fresh twist to the hallmarks of a classic Agatha Christie mystery, these twelve esteemed writers have captured the sharp wit, unique voice, and droll ingenuity of the deceptively demure detective. A triumphant celebration of Christie’s legacy and essential reading for crime lovers, Marple is a timely reminder why Jane Marple remains one of the most famous detectives of all time.

My Review:

I grew up reading Agatha Christie and what fun to read more stories involving Miss Marple. It was fun to see how popular authors interpreted Miss Marple's personality and ability to solve mysteries. What a variety of stories, seeing Miss Marple solve murders in Manhattan, on an ocean liner, and more.

These are short stories and often do not provide one of the aspects of Christie's novels I liked so much. She would provide subtle clues so that at the end I would have to admit it all made sense and I had missed figuring out the villain. With these short stories, there is generally not enough time to provide subtle clues. Often Miss Marple reveals how she solved the mystery revealing her observations to which we have not been privy.

Nonetheless, this is a fun collection bringing back to life one of my favorite sleuths and is well worth the read.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

The Authors

Agatha Christie, Naomi Alderman, Leigh Bardugo, Alyssa Cole, Lucy Foley, Elly Griffiths, Natalie Haynes, Jean Kwok, Val McDermid, Karen M. McManus, Dreda Say Mitchell, Kate Mosse, Ruth Ware

William Morrow, 380 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review. 

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)