Nemesis

Rating:
Summary: Chilling, Suspenseful
Review: This is a very well written Christie novel, possibly one of her best novels. The suspense keeps you reading until the very end, which is quite horrifying, though there are several clues throughout the book, which may help you figure out who the murderer is. I really enjoyed it very much, as would any Christie fan. Mrs. Marple is quite charming

Rating:
Summary: Terrific story and gripping mystery
Review: This story is probably the most original and complex of all the Miss Marple stories. The notion of going back in time to try and solve an old crime and right past wrongs is something that Christie was fascinated by - you see it in many of her other novels such as "Five Little Pigs", "Sleeping Murder", "Elephants Can Remember", etc. When you start reopening old cases however, that can rouse strong feelings, and even cause a murderer who had escaped detection to kill again. This is what happens in this story when Miss Marple is trying to solve an old crime with nothing to go on except the vague instructions of a dead man and her own instincts. My only criticism was that she appeared to hit on all the right clues with a consistency and swiftness that was a little implausible, considering how much in the dark she was. However, the resolution of the story was truly amazing and yet completely believeable. I also really liked the idea of nemesis - that you are unable to escape the consequences of your own actions, both good and bad. "Nemesis is long delayed sometimes, but it comes in the end" is a line I have never forgotten. It's a reminder to you that your actions may sometimes result in unforeseen consequences - a pretty sobering thought.

Rating:
Summary: Another triumph for the little old lady
Review: What made many of Agatha Christie's books good reading is the dialogue appeared to be spoken by different people instead of a single person delivering different lines. There were really multiple personalities in the tale rather than figureboard mouthpieces of the author.

That is why there was a Mr Rafiel, eccentric wealthy man who charged Nemesis, which was what he called Ms Marple, to set out on a quest to right a certain wrong. In his will, read after his death, Ms Marple was left 20,000 pounds if she would take up his charge. He left no explicit instruction for her, other than referred to the only time they had met, when together they solved a murder.

Not one to idle, Ms Marple went forth enthusiastically to learn all she could of the late Mr Rafiel to find out if he had anything unfulfilled in his life.

Next, she was contacted by a tour agency informing her that Mr Rafiel had pre-booked her on a tour of old English houses and gardens. On the tour, she met various personalities, of which two revealed themselves to have links with the late Mr Rafiel.

In due time, Ms Marple learned of several noteworthy things which had happened in a little village - vicious murder of a girl engaged to the son of Mr Rafiel, conviction of the latter for the death, another missing girl, three sisters who had brought the girl up and also well acquainted with the late Mr Rafiel.

Little by little, Ms Marple learned more about the people around her, and it was from their personalities and characters she determined the kind of persons they were and what they might and might not have done. Alert for danger, Ms Marple sought to assemble disparate pieces of information to uncover a hidden picture of what could have happened which would be of interest to Mr Rafiel.

I found that having read several of Christie's mysteries, the trend was easy to spot, and being alert for the red herrings, found them fairly easy to spot. However, it would still offer a challenge to those who enjoy reading mysteries which gave clues through relationship of people rather than clues in the forms of dropped matchsticks etc.

Rating:
Summary: Another triumph for the little old lady
Review: What made many of Agatha Christie's books good reading is the dialogue appeared to be spoken by different people instead of a single person delivering different lines. There were really multiple personalities in the tale rather than figureboard mouthpieces of the author.

That is why there was a Mr Rafiel, eccentric wealthy man who charged Nemesis, which was what he called Ms Marple, to set out on a quest to right a certain wrong. In his will, read after his death, Ms Marple was left 20,000 pounds if she would take up his charge. He left no explicit instruction for her, other than referred to the only time they had met, when together they solved a murder.

Not one to idle, Ms Marple went forth enthusiastically to learn all she could of the late Mr Rafiel to find out if he had anything unfulfilled in his life.

Next, she was contacted by a tour agency informing her that Mr Rafiel had pre-booked her on a tour of old English houses and gardens. On the tour, she met various personalities, of which two revealed themselves to have links with the late Mr Rafiel.

In due time, Ms Marple learned of several noteworthy things which had happened in a little village - vicious murder of a girl engaged to the son of Mr Rafiel, conviction of the latter for the death, another missing girl, three sisters who had brought the girl up and also well acquainted with the late Mr Rafiel.

Little by little, Ms Marple learned more about the people around her, and it was from their personalities and characters she determined the kind of persons they were and what they might and might not have done. Alert for danger, Ms Marple sought to assemble disparate pieces of information to uncover a hidden picture of what could have happened which would be of interest to Mr Rafiel.

I found that having read several of Christie's mysteries, the trend was easy to spot, and being alert for the red herrings, found them fairly easy to spot. However, it would still offer a challenge to those who enjoy reading mysteries which gave clues through relationship of people rather than clues in the forms of dropped matchsticks etc.

Rating:
Summary: Imagine Nemesis knitting baby clothes in soft pink wool.
Review: Yes indeed, Nemesis may seem a strange nickname for elderly Miss Marple but it suits her. This book has been written towards the end of Agatha Christie's carreer and she shows a lot of insight in what's going on inside the head of old people. The plot is well built and intriguing and original, because before looking for who has done it you have to find what has been done.