"Each author captures Christie—and Marple—perfectly, while also displaying just a bit of her own unique touch. . . . This new and entertaining collection by some of our favorite writers will hook a new group of readers to the formidable Miss Marple." — Rhys Bowen, Washington Post
“If you feel nostalgic, travel back to a simpler time when polite and proper Miss Marple solved crimes. Twelve legendary mystery writers, including Lucy Foley and Karen McManus, present their short stories starring Miss Marple. This includes ‘Miss Marple’s Christmas’ by Ruth Ware, where she solves a jewel heist at her friend’s Christmas dinner, and ‘A Deadly Wedding Day’ by Dreda Say Mitchell, where Miss Marple arrives as a wedding guest but stays to solve a murder.” — Buzzfeed
"Twelve contemporary authors, all acclaimed crime writers, bring Agatha Christie's beloved Miss Jane Marple to print for the first time in 45 years, beautifully reinvigorating one of mystery fiction's most enduring sleuths. The stories . . . are equally attuned to our heroine's wry sagacity and to her ability to detect evil intent wherever it lurks, including under the mistletoe. A thoroughly entertaining collection for all Christie devotees. Combining the enduring appeal of Miss Marple with some of today's most popular mystery writers could hardly go wrong, and it doesn't here." — Booklist (starred review)
"Readers will be eager to try this anthology as a dozen celebrated crime fiction authors try their hand at writing traditional short stories featuring Christie’s amateur sleuth. As in any collection, some stories stand out, but they all capture the character of the shrewd, always underestimated Miss Marple." — Library Journal
“This highly enjoyable collection…[is] a testament to the enduring power of Christie’s imagination.” — Guardian (UK)
“Marple is the best loved [detective]. Also the most influential. . . . It is Miss Marple who introduced the revolutionary notion that people are essentially the same wherever one goes.” — Los Angeles Times
“[Marple] conceals a razor-sharp brain behind a white puff of hair, innocent blue eyes, and a pile of knitting. . . . Jane Marple is not nearly as sweet as she looks.” — New York Times
08/01/2022
Twelve female authors from several countries put their own spin on short stories featuring Agatha Christie's amateur sleuth, Miss Jane Marple. Crime fiction readers will recognize big names such as Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, Val McDermid, and Elly Griffiths. While some stories feature traditional settings such as Ware's "Miss Marple's Christmas" and McDermid's "The Second Murder at the Vicarage," others set the elderly spinster in unexpected territory. Jean Kwok's "The Jade Empress" has her on a cruise ship on the way to Hong Kong, and Alyssa Cole takes her to New York City in "Miss Marple Takes Manhattan." In all the stories, Miss Marple solves cases based on her observations of life and people in the village of St. Mary Mead. VERDICT Readers will be eager to try this anthology as a dozen celebrated crime fiction authors try their hand at writing traditional short stories featuring Christie's amateur sleuth. As in any collection, some stories stand out, but they all capture the character of the shrewd, always underestimated Miss Marple.—Lesa Holstine
Agatha Christie’s Jane Marple is reimagined in clever mini mysteries with a different narrator for each. The cast is an impressive group of narrators, and each is superb. People underestimate Miss Marple—to their detriment; the elderly woman often seen knitting solves murders faster than seasoned detectives. The new collection takes her from St. Mary Mead to Manhattan, the Italian Riviera, and other locales. Two narrators stand out for their nuanced performances. Tanya Reynolds provides American and British accents and a sharp inhale before an agonizing situation in the “The Murdering Sort.” Alex Kingston gives a beleaguered sigh to portray an uppity woman who is complaining about staff, and she increases her pace as a gossip speedily shares news in “Evil in Small Places.” A.L.C. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Agatha Christie’s Jane Marple is reimagined in clever mini mysteries with a different narrator for each. The cast is an impressive group of narrators, and each is superb. People underestimate Miss Marple—to their detriment; the elderly woman often seen knitting solves murders faster than seasoned detectives. The new collection takes her from St. Mary Mead to Manhattan, the Italian Riviera, and other locales. Two narrators stand out for their nuanced performances. Tanya Reynolds provides American and British accents and a sharp inhale before an agonizing situation in the “The Murdering Sort.” Alex Kingston gives a beleaguered sigh to portray an uppity woman who is complaining about staff, and she increases her pace as a gossip speedily shares news in “Evil in Small Places.” A.L.C. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
