eBook, 224 pages
English language
Published April 19, 2010
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?
I never got into this story or any of the characters. It’s only technically a Miss Marple story as she has such a small part in it. Written in 1942, it’s very dated now with respect to gender and relationships.
I was actually a bit disappointed by this book. Miss Marple isn’t even mentioned until I think 60 or 70% in. Basically doesn’t appear after that either. She ends up solving the crime but it is more a story of Mr. Burton.
This is probably the worst Agatha Christie I have read. Miss Marple didn't show up much before page 190... and then she did not do much. Horribly disappointing.
Life in a small town can be the best thing and the worst thing. Everyone is up in your business and this can be a source of comfort, support, and family or it can be a complete invasion of privacy, misunderstandings, and judgments. And when brother and sister Jerry and Joanna Burton move to Lymstock, they encounter the best and the worst of village life. Anonymous letters of the "ransom note" style are sent to various members of the community, inferring secrets best left hidden. It seems like the culprit will never be uncovered and lives will never be the same. Enter the delightfully charming Miss Marple. She comes in with her innocent, unassuming style and see the details missed by others. Look for the classic Christie twist and the mostly happy ending.
