Miss Marple

The Murder at the Vicarage introduces Miss Jane Marple, Agatha Christie's quietly formidable observer of human nature. When Colonel Protheroe is found dead in the vicarage, the village of St Mary Mead becomes a web of suspicion, secrets, and motive. Through careful observation and a deep understanding of character, Miss Marple uncovers the truth where others see only confusion.* This AudioVerse edition presents the complete unabridged text in a pure voice performance, preserving the tone, rhythm, and structure of the original work. Narrated by Chas Burns.

The first Miss Marple mystery, one which tests all her powers of observation and deduction. "Anyone who murdered Colonel Protheroe," declared the parson, brandishing a carving knife above a joint of roast beef, "would be doing the world at large a favor!" It was a careless remark for a man of the cloth. And one which was to come back and haunt the clergyman just a few hours later-when the Colonel is found shot dead in the clergyman's study. But as Miss Marple soon discovers, the whole village seems to have had a motive to kill Colonel Protheroe.

The first Miss Marple mystery, one which tests all her powers of observation and deduction. "Anyone who murdered Colonel Protheroe," declared the parson, brandishing a carving knife above a joint of roast beef, "would be doing the world at large a favor!" It was a careless remark for a man of the cloth. And one which was to come back and haunt the clergyman just a few hours later-when the Colonel is found shot dead in the clergyman's study. But as Miss Marple soon discovers, the whole village seems to have had a motive to kill Colonel Protheroe.

"Anyone who murdered Colonel Protheroe would be doing the world at large a service…" A quiet English village. A deeply disliked man. And a murder that shocks St. Mary Mead to its core. When Colonel Protheroe is found dead in the vicar's study, suspicion falls on nearly everyone in town. With secrets lurking behind polite smiles and alibis unraveling at every turn, the local authorities are quickly overwhelmed. But one observer sees what others miss. Enter Miss Jane Marple-the sharp-minded, unassuming sleuth whose deep understanding of human nature proves more powerful than any official investigation. To Miss Marple, the patterns of crime are not new-they are simply reflections of the same behaviors found in every village. First published in 1930, The Murder at the Vicarage is the novel that introduced one of the most iconic detectives in literary history. This classic cozy mystery audiobook delivers a masterfully constructed whodunit filled with twists, misdirection, and timeless intrigue. Perfect for fans of: • Agatha Christie and classic British crime fiction • Miss Marple mysteries and amateur sleuth stories • Cozy mystery audiobooks and traditional whodunits • Golden Age detective fiction and village murder mysteries This public domain audiobook has been newly narrated and produced for a modern listening experience, bringing fresh life to a timeless classic. Also included is an original foreword by Jonathon Kross, exploring Christie's storytelling techniques, the psychology behind Miss Marple's methods, and why this enduring mystery continues to captivate listeners today.

'Anyone who murdered Colonel Protheroe,' declared the parson, brandishing a carving knife above a joint of roast beef, 'would be doing the world at large a favour!' It was a careless remark for a man of the cloth. And one which was to come back and haunt the clergyman just a few hours later - when the colonel was found shot dead in the clergyman's study. But as Miss Marple soon discovers, the whole village seems to have had a motive to kill Colonel Protheroe. This is the first case for Agatha Christie's legendary female detective, Miss Marple. She needs to use all her powers of observation and deduction to solve the mystery.

It's seven in the morning. The Bantrys wake to findthe body of a young woman in their library.She is wearing an evening dress and heavy makeup,which is now smeared across her cheeks. But whois she? How did she get there? And what is theconnection with another dead girl, whose charredremains are later discovered in an abandonedquarry? The respectable Bantrys invite Miss Marpleto solve the mystery . . . before tongues start to wag.

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 says "I can't go on," but Miss Marple questions the coroner's verdict of suicide. Soon nobody is sure of anyone-as secrets stop being shameful and start becoming deadly.

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 says "I can't go on," but Miss Marple questions the coroner's verdict of suicide. Soon nobody is sure of anyone-as secrets stop being shameful and start becoming deadly.

The villagers of Chipping Cleghorn, including Jane Marple, are agog with curiosity over an advertisement in the local gazette which read: 'A murder is announced and will take place on Friday October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6:30 p.m.' Unable to resist the mysterious invitation, a crowd begins to gather at Little Paddocks at the appointed time when, without warning, the lights go out ...

The villagers of Chipping Cleghorn, including Jane Marple, are agog with curiosity over an advertisement in the local gazette which read: 'A murder is announced and will take place on Friday October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6:30 p.m.' Unable to resist the mysterious invitation, a crowd begins to gather at Little Paddocks at the appointed time when, without warning, the lights go out ...

Miss Marple senses danger when she visits a friend living in Stoneygates, a rehabilitation center for delinquents. Her fears are confirmed when someone shoots at the administrator. Although he is not injured, a mysterious visitor is less fortunate-shot dead simultaneously in another part of the building. Pure coincidence? Miss Marple thinks not, and must use all her cunning to solve the riddle of the stranger's visit . . . and his murder. This title was previously published as Murder with Mirrors.

Miss Marple senses danger when she visits a friend living in Stoneygates, a rehabilitation center for delinquents. Her fears are confirmed when someone shoots at the administrator. Although he is not injured, a mysterious visitor is less fortunate-shot dead simultaneously in another part of the building. Pure coincidence? Miss Marple thinks not, and must use all her cunning to solve the riddle of the stranger's visit . . . and his murder. This title was previously published as Murder with Mirrors.

Rex Fortescue, king of a financial empire, was sipping tea in his "counting house" when he suffered an agonizing and sudden death. On later inspection, the pockets of the deceased were found to contain traces of cereals. Yet, it was the incident in the parlor which confirmed Miss Marple's suspicion that here she was looking at a case of crime by rhyme. . . .

For an instant the two trains ran together, side by side. In that frozen moment, Elspeth witnessed a murder. Helplessly, she stared out of her carriage window as a man remorselessly tightened his grip around a woman's throat. The body crumpled. Then the other train drew away. But who, apart from Miss Marple, would take her story seriously? After all, there were no suspects, no other witnesses . . . and no corpse. This title was previously published as What Mrs. McGrillicuddy Saw!

For an instant the two trains ran together, side by side. In that frozen moment, Elspeth witnessed a murder. Helplessly, she stared out of her carriage window as a man remorselessly tightened his grip around a woman's throat. The body crumpled. Then the other train drew away. But who, apart from Miss Marple, would take her story seriously? After all, there were no suspects, no other witnesses . . . and no corpse. This title was previously published as What Mrs. McGrillicuddy Saw!

One minute, silly Heather Babcock had been babbling on at her movie idol, the glamorous Marina Gregg. The next, Heather suffered a massive seizure, poisoned by a deadly cocktail. It seems likely that the cocktail was intended for the beautiful actress. But while the police fumble to find clues, Miss Marple begins to ask her own questions, because as she knows-even the most peaceful village can hide dark secrets.

One minute, silly Heather Babcock had been babbling on at her movie idol, the glamorous Marina Gregg. The next, Heather suffered a massive seizure, poisoned by a deadly cocktail. It seems likely that the cocktail was intended for the beautiful actress. But while the police fumble to find clues, Miss Marple begins to ask her own questions, because as she knows-even the most peaceful village can hide dark secrets.

As Miss Marple sat basking in the Caribbean sunshine, she felt mildly discontented with life. True, the warmth eased her rheumatism, but here in paradise nothing ever happened. Eventually, her interest was aroused by an old soldier's yarn about a murderer he had known. Infuriatingly, just as he was about to show her a snapshot of this acquaintance, the Major was suddenly interrupted. A diversion that was to prove fatal.

As Miss Marple sat basking in the Caribbean sunshine, she felt mildly discontented with life. True, the warmth eased her rheumatism, but here in paradise nothing ever happened. Eventually, her interest was aroused by an old soldier's yarn about a murderer he had known. Infuriatingly, just as he was about to show her a snapshot of this acquaintance, the Major was suddenly interrupted. A diversion that was to prove fatal.

When Jane Marple comes up from the country for a holiday in London, she finds what she's looking for at Bertram's: a restored London hotel with traditional decor, impeccable service -- and an unmistakable atmosphere of danger behind the highly polished veneer. Yet not even Miss Marple can foresee the violent chain of events set in motion when an eccentric guest makes his way to the airport on the wrong day ...

In utter disbelief, Miss Marple read the letter addressed to her from the recently deceased Mr. Rafiel-an acquaintance she had met briefly on her travels. He had left instructions for her to investigate a crime after his death. The only problem was, he had failed to tell her who was involved or where and when the crime had been committed. It was most intriguing. Soon she is faced with a new crime-the ultimate crime-murder. It seems someone is adamant that past evils remained buried. . . .

In utter disbelief, Miss Marple read the letter addressed to her from the recently deceased Mr. Rafiel-an acquaintance she had met briefly on her travels. He had left instructions for her to investigate a crime after his death. The only problem was, he had failed to tell her who was involved or where and when the crime had been committed. It was most intriguing. Soon she is faced with a new crime-the ultimate crime-murder. It seems someone is adamant that past evils remained buried. . . .

Soon after Gwenda moved into her new home, odd things started to happen. Despite her best efforts to modernize the house, she only succeeded in dredging up its past. Worse, she felt an irrational sense of terror every time she climbed the stairs. In fear, Gwenda turned to Miss Marple to exorcise her ghosts. Between them, they were to solve a "perfect" crime committed many years before.

This exclusive authorized edition from the Queen of Mystery gathers together in one magnificent volume all of Agatha Christie's short stories featuring her beloved intrepid investigator, Miss Marple. It's an unparalleled compendium of murder, mayhem, mystery, and detection that represents some of the finest short form fiction in the crime fiction field and is an essential omnibus for Christie fans. Described by her friend Dolly Bantry as “the typical old maid of fiction,” Miss Marple has lived almost her entire life in the sleepy hamlet of St. Mary Mead. Yet, by observing village life she has gained an unparalleled insight into human nature - and used it to devastating effect. As her friend Sir Henry Clithering, the ex-Commissioner of Scotland Yard, has been heard to say: “She's just the finest detective God ever made” - and many Agatha Christie fans would agree.

Enter the small town of St Mary Mead in the first of Agatha Christie's full-length Miss Marple mysteries, following the shrewd and sheltered white-haired Jane Marple through her amateur sleuthing and crime solving ventures. The Murder at the Vicarage launched the beloved series of twelve novels. Everyone hated Colonel Protheroe. And soon after Reverend Leonard Clement says that it would be a favor for someone to kill the dreadful man, Protheroe does turn up dead-in the reverend's study, no less. The Murder at the Vicarage follows Miss Marple's scrupulous investigation into her huge pile of suspects for the murder, turning a sleepy English village into a puzzle of clues only she can slot into place.