miss marple murder at the vicarage joan hickson

But she sees more than people realise, surreptitiously let into people’s secrets, and her experience of human nature allows her to have insights and ideas that allow the culprit to be unmasked. She knows that her appearance lulls people, there is little harm in an old woman, almost invisible if not faded into the background. Slowly however, he becomes aware that Miss Jane Marple is far more astute than she first seems. His opinion of Miss Marple is not flattering, viewing her as one of the interfering elderly ladies that reside in the village. Ruled out as a suspect himself, he is allowed to aid the police in their enquiries. Reverend Leonard Clement is determined to find out the truth, partly for justice, partly so that the peace of the village can be restored and partly because he feels responsible given the murder occurred in his study. There are a limited number of suspects, and as those are discounted through one reason or another, it looks like the police are running out of options. Narrated by the resident vicar, we are introduced to the inhabitants of St Mary Mead, where net curtains twitch and secrets abound. And for Miss Marple, it all begins with the murder of Colonel Protheroe, found shot dead in the study at the Vicarage. From seven potential murderers, Miss Marple must seek out the suspect who has both motive and opportunity. And one which was to come back and haunt the clergyman just a few hours later. It was a careless remark for a man of the cloth. ’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 service!’

Miss marple murder at the vicarage joan hickson