Marple: Twelve New Stories by Various

 

Marple: Twelve New Stories by Various.

Published 15th September 2022 by Harper Collins.

From the cover of the book: 

This collection of twelve original short stories, all featuring Jane Marple, will introduce the character to a whole new generation. 

Each author reimagines Agatha Christie’s Marple through their own unique perspective while staying true to the hallmarks of a traditional mystery.

· Naomi Alderman
· Leigh Bardugo
· Alyssa Cole
· Lucy Foley
· Elly Griffiths
· Natalie Haynes
· Jean Kwok
· Val McDermid
· Karen M. McManus
· Dreda Say Mitchell
· Kate Mosse
· Ruth Ware

Miss Marple was first introduced to readers in a story Christie wrote for The Royal Magazine in 1927 and made her first appearance in a full-length novel in 1930’s The Murder at the Vicarage. 

It has been 45 years since Agatha Christie’s last Marple novel, Sleeping Murder, was published posthumously in 1976, and this collection of ingenious new stories by twelve Christie devotees will be a timely reminder why Jane Marple remains the most famous fictional female detective of all time.

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If you have spent any time at all around my blog, or social media feeds, you will certainly be aware that the Queen of Crime Agatha Christie is one of my favourite authors. Poirot has always been my first love, but taking part in the #ReadChristie2022 reading challenge this year has made me spend a little more time with the estimable Miss Jane Marple, and I have been won over by the deceptively gentle ways that hide one of the sharpest brains of her era.

The idea of a brand new collection of Miss Marple stories by some of the finest crime authors of the current age was an intriguing prospect, and although I did approach this book with some trepidation, as a newly confirmed fan of the Christie original, I have to say that I have been very impressed with the result.

Some of these tales have Miss Marple on her international travels (funded by her nephew Raymond, of course), some have her visiting friends (with a good sprinkling of familiar faces from the original stories), and some have her observing her neighbours (and the new development) with a shrewd eye in her beloved St Mary Mead. Each one is entertaining in its own way. For me, some of the authors capture the essence of Miss Marple better that others, but I have really enjoyed seeing how they have interpreted what it is that makes a Marple story so captivating, and each one beautifully mixes the feel of a Christie mystery while carrying their own stamp at the same time. 

My personal favourites are The Second Murder at the Vicarage by Val McDermid, Miss Marple's Christmas by Ruth Ware, The Mystery of the Acid Soil by Kate Mosse, and The Disappearance by Leigh Bardugo, which make perfect Marple stories in the way Christie intended, with Miss Marple's twinkling character and intelligence coming across wonderfully. Ruth Ware also wins the Dolly Bantry Award for her delicious portrayal of one of my favourite of Jane Marple's friends - absolutely spot on Ruth!

Interestingly, there are two stories here which are great fun and offer the chance for very interesting spin-offs should the chance arise. The first is Dreda Say Mitchell's A Deadly Wedding Day, which introduces the fabulous Miss Bella from St Honoré; and the second is The Murdering Sort by Karen M. McManus with Raymond's granddaughter Nicola West. I am so ready for more Miss Bella, preferably solving crimes on her home turf in the Caribbean, and Nicola West makes a grand apprentice for Miss Marple, ready and willing to absorb all her wisdom and solve her own crimes in a Nancy Drew sort of way. I have my fingers crossed that we may see more of these characters in the future.

I read this book as my October choice for the #ReadChristie2022 reading challenge. As usual, I also listened along to the marvellous audio book which features the voice talents of some fine narrators. I highly recommend a listen if you get the chance.

Marple is available to buy now in hardcover, ebook and audio formats.