THE MOVING FINGER
Other titles: THE CASE OF THE MOVING FINGER (in US reprint, Avon, 1948)
UK publication: 1943 (Collins)
US publication: 1942 (Dodd, Mead)
Detective: Miss Marple
Genre: Novel
Plot summary and comments: Narrated by Jerry Burton, a young man who has come to the small market town of Lymstock with his sister, Joanna, to recuperate from an accident. An outbreak of poison-pen letters in the village leads to two deaths, the first apparently suicide but the second definitely murder; the letters accuse various villagers of improbable and illicit sexual acts. The vicar's wife, Maud Dane Calthrop, invites her friend Miss Marple to stay at the vicarage, and she solves the puzzle alongside the local police and citizens. The characters are strong, particularly Megan Hunter, an awkward young woman who serves as the romantic interest in the plot.
Courtesey of: http://stout.physics.ucla.edu/%7eyoder/mystery/christie.html
::READERS REVIEWS::
"This
story is told by Jerry Burton, an RAF flyer recovering from a crash. He
has been sent to the village of Lymstock to get rest and quiet. Accompanied
by his sister Joanna, Jerry soon finds that all is not as peaceful as
he might have hoped. A series of poison pen letters detailing the explicit
and often illicit facts of the residents' lives is causing quite a stir.
The fear escalates when an apparent suicide is followed by a murder. With
so much wickedness abounding, the vicar's wife calls in her old friend
Jane Marple, whom she considers an expert on wickedness in village life.
This book is notable for its excellent characterizations. From the community-minded doctor's sister, to the charming spinster who rents the Burtons her home, to the dazzling governess of the lawyer's young boys, Mrs. Christie gives us a village filled with quirky and interesting people. Most notable is Megan Hunter, perhaps her finest young girl protagonist, who is transformed from the dowdy stepdaughter to an exquisite Cinderella.
The narrative style is light and entertaining, the romance sweet, and the murder quite deadly in this fun and always ingenuous offering from the mistress of mystery."
"Miss
Marple is NOT a key figure in this story. She only comes in at the end.
So if you were expecting one where she takes center stage, think again.
The story centers around Jerry Burton, a recovering accident victim who
retires to the country with his sister to recover. His doctor suggests
the laid back life of the country will help him relax and heal, but little
did he know Jerry would wind up involved in poison pen murder.
The village characters are picturesque, and Christie does a good job of keeping you guessing right up til the end. It really is a "moving finger" of suspicion!
Overall, a favorite read and reread!
Although
I enjoyed reading this, I felt that it clearly was not Agatha Christie's
best. For starters, I do not think the cover should have said "A
miss Marple Mystery", because Miss Marple was hardly even a main
character! SHe didn't figure out who did it, like the other books; she
merly tried to explain why. And it was only half-way through that she
was mentioned! If it wasn't for the miss marple aspect, I'm sure this
would be a great book, and I admit I had no idea who did it.
::YOUR OPINION::
