Once again I find myself starting off one of our Club Reading weeks with the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie! Yet it’s irresistible – she so often has a book published in the years we choose, and I love her mysteries, so it’s wonderful having the perfect excuse to ignore the TBR and re-read her! Her book in 1962 was “The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side”, a Miss Marple story, and it’s one I thought I knew quite well, despite having not returned to it for many years. However, interestingly, this time I saw different aspects to it, which made for fascinating reading!
“Mirror” is set in Jane Marple’s village of St. Mary Mead, but this being the early 1960s modernity is creeping in. Miss Marple is feeling her age, with her faculties failing a little, and she’s suffering the indignity of having a live-in companion, the dreadful Miss Knight. The latter is a truly appalling creation, treating her charge as if she’s an imbecile, talking to her as if she’s a child, and irritating poor Miss Marple beyond belief. Instead of the old regime of cooks and maids, there is Cherry who comes in to help out; she’s from the Development, a new build of modern housing edging onto the village, and although she means well she doesn’t quite come up to Miss Marple’s standards.
Then there’s Jane’s old friend, Dolly Bantry, who’s sold her country house, Gossington Hall, after the death of her husband. The house has recently come into the hands of a famous film star, Marina Gregg, who finds this handy for her nearby film studios. A troubled and highly strung character, with a number of failed marriages behind her, she’s currently staying at the house with her latest husband, Jason Rudd. And whilst hosting an open day at Gossington Hall in support of the St. John’s Ambulance, Marina is witness to a murder of one of her guests, a very ordinary woman from the Development. Fortunately, Miss Marple’s old friend, Chief Inspector Craddock, is called in to investigate; but as murders begin to mount up he’ll need all the help she can give him to get to the solution!
I must be honest and say that later Christie mysteries can occasionally be hit and miss, but I thought this was an excellent example! The setting is brilliantly conjured, with Christie bringing in the societal changes going on around Miss Marple and the way the modern world impinges on the old ways. One of my favourite Christie tropes is that of a murder with links to the past, and that’s on show here; and although I felt that I’d forgotten a lot of this book when I started it, glimmerings of the plot came back as I read along, and I thought it was a marvellously clever mystery. Marina Gregg is a wonderfully neurotic character, convinced the murder attempt was aimed at her, and yet an expression on her face holds a vital clue to the whole puzzle.
As for Miss Marple herself, the portrayal here is a really interesting one. Jane is obviously ageing, struggling with her knitting now, and not so steady on her feet. Yet her mind is as sharp as ever, and her spirit as indomitable. Early on in the book, she takes herself off to explore the Development, finding to her satisfaction that though the trappings of the world may change, people do not. She still recognises types, meets characters who remind her of others in her life, and she’s happy enough to intervene during a telling little incident. The whole relationship between Miss Marple and the insufferable Miss Knight is a pointed one, perhaps a commentary on our assumptions about people as they age. Although Jane inevitably takes a less active role in the book, with others investigating and bringing news, she’s still able to slip away and intervene, as well as being present for the final denouement.
The book also ends with Miss Marple resolving her domestic situation, recognising that the world has changed and coming to a satisfactory arrangement which suits both her and those who’ll help her around the house. Christie herself was in her seventies when she wrote this book, so would have been well aware of the issues her sleuth was facing, and it’s a fascinating element of “Mirror” to see her exploring ageing and the modern world. I suspect this is something I wouldn’t have considered when I first read the book, but it certainly adds much to the story.
Anyway; as a mystery, “The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side” is a thoroughly satisfying read, and a worthy addition to Christie’s oeuvre. Once again I have to thank our Club Weeks for nudging me to re-read a book I haven’t picked up for decades. Christie and Marple are pure joy, and I am definitely resolved that when I finally retire I will re-read Christie chronologically from start to finish!! 😀
Calmgrove
Oct 16, 2023 @ 08:05:20
Definitely a Christie I want to read – her Vicarage title is first though! – and I loved that vintage cover, so witty while chilling, and with the PRB image evoked in the design. (You may remember I referenced Holman Hunt’s version in my ‘Mirror not yet crack’d’ post: https://wp.me/s2oNj1-shawl).
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 16, 2023 @ 11:43:21
It’s a quite brilliant cover and very cleverly done. And yes, I think read Vicarage before this, definitely.
madamebibilophile
Oct 16, 2023 @ 09:17:00
Great review Kaggsy, and what a cover! I agree not the strongest Marple but still so much to enjoy.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 16, 2023 @ 11:42:16
Thank you, and yes that cover!! It’s really unnerving! I find even lesser Christie most enjoyable and I’m always happy to have the excuse to revisit!
1962 Club | 16 – 22 October 2023
Oct 16, 2023 @ 09:26:05
Brona's Books
Oct 16, 2023 @ 09:34:10
My main Christie reading phase was in my teens and I tended to shy away from the Marple stories, so I suspect I’ve never read this one. I cannot imagine the story appealing to teenage me, but the ageing issues actually sound rather fascinating these days 😀
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 16, 2023 @ 11:41:15
I devoured pretty much all of her books in my teens, though I’m certain I wouldn’t have picked up on the ageing issues. But the plot is very enjoyable too!
1streading
Oct 16, 2023 @ 09:45:20
Interesting that you were more aware of the elements of social change on this reading. What a wonderful idea to read Christie in order when you retire! – I’m thoroughly enjoying doing the same with Maigret though, not being retired, it is taking rather a long time!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 16, 2023 @ 11:32:02
I think it’s something I definitely wouldn’t have picked up during earlier reads. And yes – reading an author in order is wonderful, but I think I would struggle trying to do that now. Roll on retirement!!!
Guest Post: Book Review: The Case of the Reluctant Model by Erle Stanley Gardener #1962Club – Literary Potpourri
Oct 16, 2023 @ 09:59:06
Elle
Oct 16, 2023 @ 10:52:03
I love that Christie lets Marple grow and age—so many detective writers don’t do this with their characters, and I hadn’t realised that she did!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 16, 2023 @ 11:30:19
Yes, she certainly does here – and although in terms of the years the books cover she would be much older, Marple does reflect on her limitations and the changing world. It works wonderfully here!
mallikabooks15
Oct 16, 2023 @ 12:05:01
Lovely to see this one picked–I thought the social commentary in this book (and the Marples more broadly) is nicely done–something I noticed when I reread these with a Goodreads group 5 or s years ago. AC uses the age aspect wonderfully well to–keeping it realistic and having Marple (and Poirot in his books) use it as a strength as people will have those assumptions and stereotypes.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 16, 2023 @ 19:02:47
You’re right, and it’s interesting to see Christie have her characters come to terms with the changes and accept that though things change outwardly, people are still the same. I’m glad she allowed her characters to age and develop.
Margot Kinberg
Oct 16, 2023 @ 12:20:16
So glad you chose this one! You’re absolutely right about the way Jane Marple is portrayed. I rather like that, too because it’s reality (I wonder how much of that Christie drew from her own experience). And yet, as you say, she has such strength of will and her mind is very much all there. This is, I think, one of Christie’s sadder novels (don’t want to give too much away), but she handled that well. All in all, most satisfying!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 16, 2023 @ 19:01:44
I am too Margot – I loved it, and had forgotten how Christie tackled the subject of ageing and the societal changes going on. I think she definitely must have drawn from her own experiences. It’s lovely to see Marple still as sharp as a needle, though, and people continuing to underestimate her. And yes – it does have much sadness, doesn’t it?
conmartin13
Oct 16, 2023 @ 13:11:46
Nice review! I do somehow prefer Miss Marple to Poirot, although this one I had no idea of the murder the first time I read it. The second time it all came back to me and I was able to appreciate the set up much better. I’d forgotten about Jane aging in this book but it was smart of her to do that. Although I love the crime novels of Michael Connelly, I find it silly that his hero is still attracting women right and left when he must be nearly 80 (I wouldn’t begrudge him a few) and not very outgoing!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 16, 2023 @ 19:00:24
I’m very fond of Miss Marple, but do love Poirot and also Tommy & Tuppence too. She handles the ageing well, and it features in the Tommy and Tuppence books too as they gradually age through Christie’s life. The Connelly sounds a bit unlikely, from what you say!
ellenandjim
Oct 16, 2023 @ 13:31:16
Maybe I’ll try this one. This is an excellent account of the book.
It’s hard to know which one to try — there are so many by Christie, and the different film adaptations are interesting too.
I’ve been on a journey through mystery-thrillers mostly by women since last spring. You can see the results in two of my regular blogs:
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 16, 2023 @ 18:59:10
Thank you – it’s a really interesting one and the societal changes add a fascinating element. I do think that women GA writers were the tops, and Sayers is another huge favourite of mine.
Simon T
Oct 16, 2023 @ 15:54:11
I’d forgotten this one came so late in her career – it’s one of my favourites, with a very satisfying solution. I haven’t read it for probably 20 years, but I saw a play of it a year or two ago and loved that too.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 16, 2023 @ 18:55:15
I had too, actually – but it was most enjoyable, and I hadn’t revisited it for ages. And of course Miss Marple is always such a wonderful character!
chrisharding53
Oct 16, 2023 @ 16:19:36
Usually, I love Miss Marple, but I struggled a bit with this one, and I’m not sure why. But there were some nice moments – and I did enjoy your review. It’s always interesting to read an opposing point of view.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 16, 2023 @ 18:54:36
Oh, I wonder if it was because of the setting – the modern trappings do take a bit of adjusting to, if you usually think of Miss Marple in genteel older-fashioned settings. I did enjoy this re-read, and yes, it would be dull if we all thought the same about books!
Helen
Oct 16, 2023 @ 16:39:53
I enjoyed this one, although it isn’t a favourite. I remember finding the bits about ageing and social changes almost as interesting as the mystery!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 16, 2023 @ 18:53:08
Yes, it’s interesting how much those bits stood out this time round! And I did enjoy my re-read!
Yelena Furman
Oct 16, 2023 @ 17:16:19
I’ve loved Agatha Christie since my teens, reading her alongside my mom and grandmother. We still have the books. I don’t remember reading this one, although I probably did. I’ve seen, including recently, the TV adaptation (Britbox). They didn’t focus on the ageing aspect (the adaptations changed a lot from the books, from what I understand), but the episode was so well done (like all of them). I should reread it. Thank you. And agreed – rereading Christie in order would be amazing.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 16, 2023 @ 18:52:38
Same here – she was a great gateway author when I was a teenager to more adult reading. And I do love all of her works, even the later one. I’ve not been much of a fan of recent adaptations, if I’m truly honest – my perfect Marple was Joan Hickson on the BBC in the 1980s, but alast she didn’t do all the stories. One day I will do that full re-read!!
Yelena Furman
Oct 17, 2023 @ 01:32:32
Joan Hicks was the best!
I love all the adaptations, but haven’t seen hers in a very, very long time. Would love to find them again.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2023 @ 11:03:58
She was the perfect Marple for me and frankly no-one else compares!
Yelena Furman
Oct 17, 2023 @ 01:33:50
Hickson, not Hicks. I knew when I typed it it wasn’t quite right.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2023 @ 11:03:36
😁😁😁
bookbii
Oct 16, 2023 @ 17:17:39
I keep thinking I should read more Agatha Christie. The Lucy Worsley series earlier in the year really piqued my interest. This sounds great and the absolutely love that cover. It would make me want to read it more!
A good choice for a first 1962 club 👍
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 16, 2023 @ 18:51:12
Christie is brilliant, as far as I’m concerned, and I never find her disappointing. I do recommend reading more of her, and this was indeed the perfect way to start the week!
Nan
Oct 16, 2023 @ 21:51:18
This is a wonderful review! I was especially interested because I recently read it myself! I haven’t written about it on my blog except for a bit from the book that I could relate to. https://lettersfromahillfarm.blogspot.com/2023/10/me-and-miss-marple.html
I do so love AC. She unfailingly makes me happy when I’m reading her work.
I was amazed at the reason for the murder!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2023 @ 11:08:20
Thank you! It really is such an interesting book and Christie’s take on ageing very sensible. I loved the way Miss Marple discovered how people are still the same, and I must admit I would like to have her still positive attitude to younger generations. As for the murder, as another blogger commented, it’s actually really sad…
Julé Cunningham
Oct 17, 2023 @ 00:30:29
That Miss Knight is AWFUL and Christie does a marvelous job in her portrayal of the relationship between and her and Miss Marple. And it’s wonderful to see how Miss M outwits her! A lovely start to your 1962 week!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2023 @ 11:04:27
Isn’t she just??? You want to slap her and it’s wonderful to see Miss Marple getting round her – wonderful!
Book Review: Unlawful Occasions (1962) by Henry Cecil #1962Club – Literary Potpourri
Oct 17, 2023 @ 10:20:24
Marianne Maurer
Oct 17, 2023 @ 10:42:13
I love that story, seen several adaptations of it. Maybe I should read the book one day … And you are right, times change. That’s a good thing but some stories are timeless.
This time I have chosen another one that was in the house (from my boys): A Wrinkle in Time.
Here is my list.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2023 @ 11:00:06
It’s brilliant and I do recommend you read the book – Miss Marple’s take on a changing world is fascinating. And a good choice with Wrinkle – it’s decades since I read that! 😀
Marianne Maurer
Oct 17, 2023 @ 12:29:08
I will have to get it then. Thanks.
I have just finished Wrinkle and I must say, it was better than expected. It’s not really my genre but you have to try something from time to time.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2023 @ 15:57:39
Exactly – stretch the boundaries, I say!
Marianne Maurer
Oct 19, 2023 @ 09:07:08
I do that all the time. Having been a member of several book clubs over the years, I have read all genres, even those that I dislike come up quite often. But that doesn’t keep me from trying classics in all the genres.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 19, 2023 @ 09:41:51
Absolutely!
heavenali
Oct 17, 2023 @ 14:15:05
Ooh lovely, this is a classic Christie novel. I agree it’s not the best portrayal of Miss Marple, but the overall setting and story is excellent and for me very memorable. I love that atmospheric cover.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 17, 2023 @ 15:56:42
It definitely is a classic, and I had forgotten some of the modern elements. But it’s a great mystery!
Reese
Oct 18, 2023 @ 05:41:45
Lovely review–I was thinking about rereading this one myself (and might yet!)–it is one of my favorite Marples, but I have reread it recently and remember the solution quite well. But it is interesting what you say about Christie herself and the aging in this one. Hmm…
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 18, 2023 @ 20:33:19
Thank you! It’s such a good Marple, and I found the ageing/modern world aspect so interesting!
Liz Dexter
Oct 18, 2023 @ 10:59:35
How interesting, reading your thoughts about your re-reading. I found it fascinating “ageing into” Iris Murdoch’s main characters last time I re-read her. The 60s details are another good point, my first read could have been set in any time, with some beatniks and the like slotted in!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 18, 2023 @ 20:37:04
I think it’s so interesting when an author builds in that kind of element, and it definitely must have represented how Christie was seeing the world I think. It was especially fascinating seeing those modern elements too, which are not what you expect in a GA crime novel!