The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side by Agatha Christie

Though she is aging, Miss Marple doesn't feel like she really doesn't think she needs a keeper. But her nephew was worried about her after a recent illness. It means that Miss Marple now has Miss Knight to contend with. Miss Knight is the kind of nurse that thinks her clients are all senile, brimming over with enthusiasm and kindness, she doesn't actually listen to what Miss Marple has to say. Which is why Miss Marple tricks her into going shopping and then going out herself. Unfortunately, Miss Marple falls. Heather Badcock rushes to her rescue. Heather Badcock is similar to Miss Knight, kindness itself but the sort that runs over you like a train. That's why it's such a surprise that she ends up dead.

It's at a local party. Marina Gregg, the famous actress, and her husband have bought Gossington Manor. Colonel Bantry died and Dolly sold the house. It has changed hands a couple of times since then but she still comes back to St. Mary Mead to visit and she is also invited to the party as a former owner of the house. When Heather Badcock dies, it is immediately assumed that the poison was actually meant for Marina since she had given Heather her drink. But who would want her dead?

There is, as in many of Christie's early books, racism in this book. There is also a LOT of mention of Marina Gregg's baby who was born.

Three stars

This book came out in 1962

Follows 4:50 from Paddington

Followed by A Caribbean Mystery

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own