I’m so excited to tell you about this classic mystery The Mirror Crack’d From Side to Side by Agatha Christie. I’ve been dying to read this book for awhile thanks to FictionFan and her consistent recommendations of this bestselling writer, but I rarely get an opening in my reading schedule, and I feel terrible about ignoring all those new releases on my TBR shelf. Still, I pushed through that guilt and reserved a copy of this book from my local library, and I was delighted from the first to last page. You’ll see from my video review below that one of the reasons I loved it is because Miss Marple reminds me of Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote, which is my favourite television show. It’s no exaggeration to say I wish I could be Miss Marple or Jessica Fletcher-they are both fictional heroes to me! So you can imagine my excitement when I viewed the trailer for the 1980 Mirror Crack’d film and Angela Lansbury was starring as Miss Marple!!! It’s all my favourite things coming together, so I must find a few hours to watch the full film with a few chocolates at the ready.
If you are any kind of a mystery fan, you must read this novel. There’s a good reason Agatha Christie has sold over 2 billion books, which will become obvious to you once you pick this one up. It’s brilliant, and I can’t recommend it enough.
Well, I think you answered all my questions in your video! I was wondering if this is a good book to start with (I know Miss Marple is a series) and if it is more lighthearted or serious. I tend to like a smaller cast of funny characters. Currently, I’m listening to The Thursday Murder Club. It’s a new book, and Anne, I think you would love it. It sounds like what you’ve described here. Plus, I’m only ever confused for about 30 seconds because I realize what’s going on, which is good for me because I can’t stand wandering around unknowingly in a mystery novel for too long. I just start to feel dumb.
Also, I’m giggling that Murder She Wrote is your favorite show. It’s antithetical to your personality. I now must picture you knitting.
I love that show! I force my kids to watch it with me if I’m having a particularly bad day lol
Children as prisoners. I dig. 🤣🤣
I know what you mean about wandering around in a mystery-I’m reading a 700 page Anthony Horowitz novel right now, and although I’m really enjoying it, it has a book within a book which is sort of confusing things-review to come on that shortly!
i think a combo of backlist and current reading is ideal, but I share your struggle to set aside the NEW and SHINY choices and look backwards for a spell. Fortunately this worked out well for you…so maybe you’ll be more inclined to check out some more classics?
I do enjoy a good classic every once in awhile, but b/c my contract with CBC depends on me reviewing mostly newer stuff, it’s not something I can do often. I also feel ongoing pressure from publishers to review their books, not that that’s a bad thing, they are simply doing their jobs, but I’ve always got this worrry in the back of my mind that they’ll stop sending me stuff regularly if I ignore them for too long LOL
I share your struggle. It does make for stronger review work, though, if a reader/reviewer can offer context
(maybe less of a factor in your CBC contract than in print). It’s an ongoing balancing act for me, too. Have you ever calculated how much of your reading, in a percentage, is dictated by publishing interests? Just for your own information, I mean?
Hmm not really. I used to try to focus more on reading widely by publisher, but when I have limited time to read, I tend to read by theme, b/c I have to form my book columns into theme for the CBC. For instance, I’ll probably do a Father’s Day column for June, and pitch that to the tv side of it too-they like to link to holidays hahah
Have you had a chance to watch the movie yet? I think I love it even more than the book – such a fantastic cast list, and they all ham it up beautifully! Definitely one for any time you need a bit of comfort time… 😀
I haven’t watched it yet, no. Do you know if it’s on netflix, or should I try good ol’ youtube?
Don’t know, I’m afraid – I don’t have Netflix. But it tends to show up on the cable movie channels quite often.
I started rereading the entire AC books when the pandemic started: just 4more Miss Marples left. I just picked up Mirror-Crack’d, so that is rather serendipitous.
There has been more than 1 movie:there is an EXCELLENT version starring Joan Hickson, as well as one with Julia McKenzie, I believe.
Oh good to know! I love this idea of a re-reading project too