Jayme's Reviews > Marple: Twelve New Mysteries

How do you inspire a whole new generation of readers to want to become acquainted with the original, elderly female amateur detective, Agatha Christie’s “Miss Jane Marple”?

How about by putting together a collection of TWELVE original stories, penned by TWELVE of today’s most impressive, popular, best-selling authors?

That is what can be found within the pages of this book-short stories blending the unique perspectives of each author combined with the traditional aspects of the “Miss Marple” mysteries.

Miss Marple solves many crimes in her quaint village of St. Mary Mead, but she also often travels to visit childhood friends, or when accompanying her nephew, Raymond West and his wife, Joan on their journeys.

And, you can be sure that she will wear tweed, do some knitting and gardening, and have tea or Cherry Brandy, and sometimes even tea with Cherry Brandy which both go surprisingly well with village GOSSIP!

The authors are (in alphabetical order):
Naomi Anderson
Leigh Bardugo
Alyssa Cole
Lucy Foley
Elly Griffiths
Natalie Haynes
Jean Kwok
Val McDermid
Karen M. McManus
Dreda Say Mitchell
Kate Mosse
Ruth Ware

There have been many adaptations of the Agatha Christie stories, on both the big screen and the small, but if you want to see how Ms. Christie envisioned her beloved character, tune into the BBC television series, “Miss Marple”.

According to her grandson, Ms. Christie was never satisfied with how the character of Miss Marple was portrayed-so she penned a letter to character actress, Joan Hickson, whom she did envision in the role, telling her that she hoped that the actress would one day play the part-which she finally did-at the age of 78!

Ms. Hickson also narrated a number of Miss Marple stories on audiobooks.

Or you can just envision “Miss Marple” as you see fit-and dive right into the pages of these delightful stories!

As with all short story collections, some resonated more than others, and I am not going to rate them all individually but there are a few standouts that I DO want to mention, as they were my personal favorites!

Miss Marple’s Christmas by Ruth Ware-really captured the flavor of an old fashioned Christmas in St. Mary Mead-which would not be complete without a mysterious disappearance-really honoring the “feel” of the stories penned by Agatha Christie-Bravo!

Another favorite in keeping with her traditions was “The Mystery of the Acid Soil” by Kate Mosse, which begins with a train ride to visit a childhood friend.

Impressing me with a different approach was “Murder at the Villa Rosa” by Elly Griffiths which was told from the POV of Signor Jeffries, who meets Miss Marple in picturesque Italy. She was more of a secondary character but as always, she makes herself very useful with her “knowledge of human nature “.

Also taking a unique approach was author Karen M McManus. Since in her own books she writes from the POV of youth, her tale “The Murdering Sort” is told by Nicola West who may just be on her way to becoming a “chip off the old block” of her great great Aunt Jane (Marple).

This charming collection by HarperCollins is set to publish on September 15, 2022 and should satisfy fans of “Miss Jane Marple” old and new!!

When you read it, be sure to let me know which ones were your favorites!

Thank you for my gifted copy provided through Edelweiss! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!