They Do It With Mirrors (Agatha Christie Mysteries Collection (Audio))

Rating:
Summary: TVs own Marple reads a Marple mystery
Review: Again we have a good opportunity to see how two different writers adapt for the screen an Agatha Christie mystery. In 1985, Helen Hayes played a very American Miss Marple in "Murder With Mirrors." Of course, better known is the Joan Hickson version that appeared in the USA on Mystery Theatre. Now that same Ms. Hickson reads the original version on a 4-audio cassette boxed set from Audio Partners with the British title "They Do It With Mirrors."

The plot revolves around a home for juvenile delinquents set up by Lewis Serrocold who is married to Carrie Louise, an old school chum of Marple's. The relationships are a bit hard to sort out when one is hearing a tape and cannot turn back a few pages to see who is who, but things get moving when three shots ring out, two behind a closed door and one far off. Murder (but for what reason?), attempted murder (but was it really?), and a little stab at slow poisoning (if that is what it was) complicate things. But by drawing her usual analogies between those concerned and those whom Marple knew long ago, she is able to hit upon the solution.

Unfortunately, I feel this is not one of Christie's better plots--which still makes it a fairly good one!--but the title more or less gives the solution away. I also find that Hickson's voice, so perfect for Marple, is not as flexible as those of other readers in this series and she makes no attempt to act out the various parts. Now and then, but not very often, she does grow a tad hard to understand for a word or two. Still, it makes great listening on long trips or just sitting there on a cold winter's night with a mug of hot something and a good book on the tape deck.

Rating:
Summary: Minor but Entertaining
Review: Also known under the title MURDER WITH MIRRORS, this 1952 Agatha Christie is neither the best nor the worst of her work. Set in a decaying English mansion, the grounds of which have become home to an experimental school for delinquent boys, the novel finds Miss Marple visiting an elderly friend from her own school days--and being plunged into crime when her hostess' stepson is shot dead.

Christie is best known for her fiendishly cunning plots, but in this instance I found the mechanism of the crime somewhat obvious. Still, the novel has other, undeniable charms: a renewed acquaintance with the always entertaining Miss Marple, a memorable cast of characters, and a particularly atmospheric setting. While it will never compare with the likes of A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED or MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, Christie fans will find it an entertaining one-gulp read.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Rating:
Summary: Miss Marple visits an old friend
Review: When Miss Marple visits her old school friend Ruth Van Rydock, she discovers that Ruth is concerned about their mutual friend Carrie Louise. Ruth had recently visited with Carrie Louise, and something in the household did not seem right. She persuades Miss Marple to visit Carrie Louise herself to see if she can detect what's wrong. When she arrives, Jane discovers that Carrie's home has been turned into a haven for delinquent boys by her husband. Soon a murder occurs and the plot thickens. Although professional investigators are called on the scene, Miss Marple exhibits her famous powers of deduction and comes up with a solution before they do. This is a typical, clever Agatha Christie mystery.