A Reader's Guide to Miss Marple | Where to start with Agatha Christie's amateur sleuth

[@CestKevvie]

Dolly Bantry is one of my favorite Christie characters!! My favorite Marples are Caribbean, Mirror Crack'd, and Announced! I've still gotta read Mirrors, Sleeping, and Nemesis. I LOVE the Lansbury adaptation, it is a camp classic!!

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Dolly Bantry is brilliant! I will have to watch the Lansbury adaptation- it sounds excellent. I love Announced and Mirror Crack’d and Caribbean I loved way more on my second read. You’re in for a treat with Sleeping Murder.

[@karenwetherald6086]

I can't be the only one who wants to be Miss Marple when I grow up ! Love your t-shirt.... though to be fair, I have only ever read one Agatha Christie, "And Then There Were None".... I think I would love the Miss Marple series. Thanks for such a great video

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Thanks Karen for your kind words! To be fair, there are a lot worse things to be in your retirement than Miss Marple. My husband made the t-shirt so he will be delighted. 😊📚

[@lisainbookland]

I’m always amazed by how much work you’ve put into these Reader’s Guides! I’ve not read any Miss Marple yet and hardly any Agatha Christie overall though I’ve loved what I have read, and they have snuck up my priority list a bit since seeing The Mousetrap in London a few months ago. I’d say I’ll be returning to this video when I am ready to dive in :-)

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Thank you Lisa. They do take a lot of work which is why I end up putting off making them, but always satisfying to finish one. I loved going to see The Mousetrap too! 😊

[@faithbooks7906]

My mom loved Margaret Rutherford movies so she’s how I picture Miss Marple. I would like to read all the books. I think I have inly read the first four. I too really enjoyed The Thirteen Problems short stories. Very nicely dine reader’s guide!

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed the guide. I would love to be able to read some of these for the first time again. I think if you’ve seen an adaptation first it would definitely influence how you view Marple in your head. 😊📚

[@booksimnotreading]

I LOVE Miss Marple! Great t-shirt. I haven’t read all the Marple books, but I definitely haven’t read them all, but Nemesis is my favorite so far.

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Thank you Kelly. My husband made the tshirt for me. 😊 Glad to hear you love Miss Marple, I am envious that you still have some left to read for the first time. I’m not quite ready to reread Nemesis but one day I will.

[@Lu.G.]

*Yay!* 👏🏻 I'm definitely _Team Miss Marple_ but I do love Poirot, too. 😬 I adore Joan Hickson as Miss Marple and I read somewhere that after seeing her in a play, Agatha Christie wrote to Joan Hickson and told her that she hoped one day to see her play "my dear Miss Marple'. The only Marple I haven't read is _The Thirteen Problems_ but it's on my shelf, so I think in honor of Agatha Christie's birthday, I'll go ahead and start reading it today. 🤓 (Not a huge fan of short stories) *Love* your t-shirt! Thanks for sharing! ❤

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Yay! Personally I’m team Poirot, but I get fonder of Miss Marple on every reread! I think The 13 Problems is a great one to read today, even if you are not a big fan of short stories. 💛 I really hope to get hold of and watch Joan Hickson soon for that very reason. Nothing like the Christie seal of approval! Thank you so much for your kind comment, my husband made me the t-shirt! 😊📚

[@CharlieBrookReads]

I haven’t read any Miss Marple but I do want to do this is super interesting !! Great video Alice, I have taken notes 😉

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Excellent. She’s an interesting old lady for sure! Thanks Charlie! 💛

[@teacupthestoryteller]

Love love your Reader´s Guides videos! 🥰 Great wig! I have never read any of Miss Marple, actually never even seen the adaptations.... but really enjoyed listening about her! 😊

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Aw thanks Beki, I’m glad you enjoyed listening (and the wig!). 😊📚

[@TooFondofBooksJH]

Fantastic video!! I love Dolly Bantry! She is such a great character and such a promoter of Miss Marple.

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Dolly Bantry is a character of great quality. 😊 Thanks Janelle.

[@davidworkman2329]

The Margaret Rutherford portrayal of Miss Marple is entertaining and fun even though it's not really a book Miss Marple, but it is worth watching and very enjoyable. Joan Hickson is the quintessential Miss Marple that's the best one I've ever seen for a portrayal. Trust me LOL love your channel.

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

I’ve always wanted to see both. I’m never a huge adaptations fan anyway, so it would be good fun to see Margaret Rutherford’s films. I’ve heard so many good things about Joan Hickson, I need to get hold of that series. 😊📚

[@AnneEWilliamson]

Love the wig, lol! I need to read more of Miss Marple books. I was obsessed with the Marple TV series a few years ago and watched literally every episode, but unfortunately I've only read a handful of her books so far. Your discussion of her is just simply perfect!

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Thanks Anne, that’s a lovely thing to say. I hope it helps you decide where to go next with Marple. 😊📚

[@caitlinshortslef4740]

I’m a huge Agatha Christie fan, and I’m not sure if I prefer Poirot or Marple- they both are lots of fun. As characters I actually prefer Tommy and Tuppence, but I’m not as fond of their books. I was introduced to Agatha by my mom when I was around 10 or 11, and I own and have read every single one of her mystery novels/short story collections (many of them multiple times.) My favorite Miss Marple is definitely The Moving Finger- it’s also one of my favorite Agatha Christie’s overall. A Murder is Announced and A Caribbean Mystery are my next two favorites. 😊

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Brilliant to hear from another huge fan. I, too, have read all the mystery novels and short stories too. I just have the plays left now and Mary Westmacott books. It’s lovely to hear how much enjoyment you’ve had from Christie’s books. 😊📚

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

I love the t-shirt and the wig!! super cute and fun- great job! I think I've only read The Body in the Library, so I definitely have a long way to go with Miss Marple-- which is fine with me since that means I have lots of fun ahead.

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Lucky you, you have all the best ones still ahead! Thanks Mitzi, I was weirdly embarrassed in the wig far more than I was wearing a moustache! 😂

[@jenniferlovesbooks]

Fab video! I now want to reread all the Miss Marple books (again!). I am definitely Team Poirot but I do like the village feel of St Mary Mead. I thinking Sleeping Murder probably one of the best. I remember those Margaret Rutherford films being on TV a lot when I was a child - the character is nothing like in the books.

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Thanks Jennifer! I am still wanting to reread all the Poirot after the last video as I am definitely team Poirot too. Interestingly enough though, I am enjoying Marple more on the reread and I think my appreciation of her has grown as I get older! 😂 Sleeping Murder is brilliant! 😊📚

[@spreadbookjoy]

I really do love this series - so much effort! I love old lady detectives and Miss Marple is so iconic. I’m surprised I’ve not read any of these either but you’ve given such a great outline of them - great video again, Alice! 🤍🤍🤍

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Thanks Jack. I’m glad you enjoyed the overview. 😊📚

[@GemofBooks]

Brilliant video matey 👍🏻 interesting that you prefer Poirot over Marple, I was going to ask that 😂 I like that the Christie books can be read in any order. Makes life a bit easier 😂

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Yes, the vast majority make no reference to previous books and read as standalones. A couple of late Poirot books sort of refer to or in one case spoiler another case but if you didn’t know what you were looking at you’d probably not realise. Poirot is way better in my opinion, but I’m coming to appreciate Marple more on a second read (maybe because I’m getting older 😂😂😂).

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

You. Are. Adorable. This was fun. I’ve never read any Agatha Christie 🙈 This series is great. 😊💙

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Thanks Jolene, that’s lovely of you. You can tell I was a primary school teacher (it’s a job requirement that we have no shame when it comes to dressing up) although for some reason the wig made me feel more embarrassed than the Poirot outfit! 😂 I hope this helped you decide whether to read some Christie. I’m glad you enjoy the series. 😊💛

[@BooksandRadioPlays]

I really enjoyed this, and love the wig.😄 Sir Henry Clithering was in several short stories and novels, so was Joan, Raymond's wife. Inspector Slack, and inspector craddock and her neice Mrs Harmon was a few short stories too.

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Thank you, I knew there was someone I was missing from the short stories, I need to reread those again I think. I’m glad you enjoyed the video and the wig! 😊📚

[@BooksandRadioPlays]

@@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf You're welcome, I love the short stories. I have book that has a really good collection of them called Masterpieces in Miniature, the Detectives. It has most of them.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

Fantastic guide! I need to read more Marple!

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

I’d be interested to hear if you like her books! Quite cosy for your tastes? Then again, cosy is sometimes good and some of them are deceptively brutal! 😊

[@CriminOllyBlog]

@@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf I really don't mind a bit of cost every so often

[@flickphillips7892]

I've not read any Miss Marple yet but I probably will in the future. Love your wig! 😀

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Thank you. 😊

[@lilsvintageworld]

You NEED to watch the Joan Hickson adaptations!!! They are much more faithful to the books than any other adaptations. I do love your t-shirt!!

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Thanks Lil. I need to see if I can find them somewhere to watch/buy! 😊

[@lilsvintageworld]

@@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf I have the dvd collection. I was lucky enough to pick them up in a charity shop for £10 but perhaps you can pick them up second hand from somewhere if there are not available to stream

[@teddylovesagathachristie]

Wonderful video again! I am team Poirot. My favourite Marple is Sleeping Murder and unlike majority of the fans I prefer Geraldine MacEwan. She is what I imagine Miss Marple in the books

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

I agree on all of these points! I don’t particularly like what they did with the Geraldine MacEwan series but she is the closest to how I imagined Miss Marple. Sleeping Murder is fantastic!

[@hopesprings7812]

Very enjoyable and informative video. I would read The Murder at the Vicarage first to get it out of the way as the character is so far removed from subsequent books.

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

That is a good point. Marple is so different from then on. 😊

[@colazi]

Definitely Team Marple with a real soft spot for the rector and Griselda in Murder at the Vicarage. Also love The Tuesday Night Murder Club stories.

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

I’m team Poirot but I really do like those stories a lot! 😊

[@janeduffield4801]

Great outfit by the Way! T shirt top notch!

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Thank you!

[@novellenovels]

Great guide sweetie thank you 💛

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Thanks Em.

[@puirYorick]

Another pseudo character in the Marple books is Inch, the local taxi man. Later, Jane explains that long after the original driver's tenure, the car service was still called Inch by all the locals. Whether the business had been sold or inherited by an Inch son or some other is unknown. She's unsure if the name derived from the first Mr. Inch of her era or an even earlier business.

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Indeed! I forgot about good old Inch. Love the way the current Inch isn’t even called Inch but they continue to call him that! 😊📚

[@JonTanOsb]

I love both Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple, but I'm also quite fond of Tommy & Tuppence Beresford. ~ Jon in rural BC, Canada

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Tommy and Tuppence are great too! Thanks for reminding me- I was going to make a guide for them ages ago and I have forgotten it, so that puts it back on my radar! 😊📚

[@janeduffield4801]

Love A murder is announced and 4-50 to Paddington. I quite liked Geraldine Mcewan as Marple.

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

I love those two! And Geraldine McEwan is probably the closest to how I picture Marple.

[@jan9105]

I've only read "Murder at the Vicarage" and I was a bit disappointed.. because for the most time Miss Marple wasn't there. I thought she will be present throughout the whole story. Maybe I should read Poirot instead?

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Poirot is great! I personally like his mysteries a lot more. Miss Marple does have a tendency not to turn up for the first 100 pages but if you want to read one where she is front and centre for the whole book, I recommend A Caribbean Mystery as she’s in that one throughout.

[@judikingsman6132]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Thank you. 😊📚

[@novelideea]

The adaptation is completely off, but Geraldine McEwen is THE perfect Miss Marple. Pretty, slight, unassuming, gentle and just enough sparkle in those eyes. 🥰 The Caribbean mystery is my least favorite of them all and I must admit that I love the 450 right along with everyone else.

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

I agree, that is my favourite casting based on looks. I find it hard to watch the series though as it’s so different to the books! 😂 Caribbean Mystery used to be right down there for me too, but on a reread I actually enjoyed it a lot more! 4:50 is definitely one of my favourites! 😊📚

[@ReadingNymph]

Ive just started reading Agatha Christie, I started with the shirt stories in the Tuesday club murders

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

I really like those- they are the same as The 13 Problems. Did you like them?

[@ReadingNymph]

@@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf its so enjoyable, like a perfect cosy mystery

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

@@ReadingNymph it’s one of my favourites too.

[@ArtBookshelfOdyssey]

I've never read any Miss Marple, to be honest she doesn't appeal to me as much... I'm definitely Team Poirot! I will probably get to them at some point but her series is not high on my priority.

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

I can understand that. I personally do not enjoy her books as much as Poirot mysteries, but they are still very good. 😊

[@oskarm646]

Miss Marple > Poirot. The books with her are a perfect mixture of thrills and comfort