In Agatha Christie’s classic, A Pocket Full of Rye, the bizarre death of a financial tycoon has Miss Marple investigating a very odd case of crime by rhyme.Rex Fortescue, king of a financial empire, was sipping tea in his “counting house” when he suffered an agonizing and sudden death. On later inspection, the pockets of the deceased were found to contain traces of cereals.Yet, it was the … inspection, the pockets of the deceased were found to contain traces of cereals.
Yet, it was the incident in the parlor which confirmed Miss Marple’s suspicion that here she was looking at a case of crime by rhyme. . . .
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My summer project is to re-read all of the Miss Marple mysteries (12 novels written over 46 years! Plus a dozen very early short stories). I am halfway through the novels, and have not loved every book equally — but A POCKETFUL OF RYE is brilliant!! The mystery launches in the first couple of pages and keeps unfolding in surprising ways until the very end. Just amazing. If you want to cut to the chase with your reading of Dame Agatha, this is an excellent starting point.
Never met a Miss Marple mystery I didn’t like!
Under the cover of a children’s nursery rhyme a killer is bumping people in the Fortescue house. The dysfunctional family, ably looked after by the efficient Miss Dove, offer up plenty of suspects and motives, as you would expect with Agatha Christie. Then there are the servants, a lover, and a historical rivalry to add more suspects to the pool.
The author handles it all with her usual mastery, laying false trails and diversions to fox the local police. There’s no lack of social comment and humour as she reveals the secrets and conflicts within the family.
Having trained one of the parlour maids serving there, Miss Marple arrives at the house to assist the police. It doesn’t take her long to separate the rye from the chaff with her incisive knowledge of human nature and ability to spot the worst in people.
The story’s a joy from start to finish, weaving a winding trail through a house filled with largely unlikable characters, nearly all tarnished by money and greed. It’s a masterclass in the classic whodunit and hugely entertaining.
Can’t go wrong with Agatha Christie
Typical Agatha. Always a treat.
Excellent as with any Agatha Christie book, loved it.
Entertaining, Agatha Christie is not always p.c. But given how long ago her books were written, I gloss over those word choices. Stories are light hearted.
Interesting premise for a mystery.
Classic whodunit by Agatha Christie.
A Pocketful of Rye is one of my favorite Agatha Christie’s. It’s not as flashy as Murder on the Orient Express or And Then There Were None, but it’s a solid example of how Christie’s detectives use human nature and common sense to solve crimes.
Miss Marple is on hand to solve the puzzle of a triple murder. She’s just as smart as Hercule Poirot without the sidekick, mustaches or humongous ego. Agatha and Miss Marple have such common sense when it comes to people that her comments are as much fun as the mystery. A 4 star for me despite having to close my eyes to the fact that there are some missing conversations and clues as she figures out who the evil doer is.
I’ve read this before so I knew who the murderer was but it was just as enjoyable this time around. I listened to the audio this time and Richard Grant, no mean actor in his own right, does an excellent job with the accents and narrating both sexes. He even manages to slip in some regional and class differences.
Good. Not Agatha Christie’s best
This really shouldn’t be marketed as a Miss Marple book… she plays such a minor role, albeit important at the end. Not really a ‘page-turner’… few, if any, cliff-hangers at the end of chapters. But, in true Christie fashion, a wonderful twist toward the end. I love the characters; easy to visualize them. Pacing a little slow — perhaps that’s more a reflection of our face-paced mindset in this century? Still, a nice read and a fun puzzle to solve.
Have read a number of times during a long life. I suppose Christie is my favorite and this is one of her best.
Traditional Agatha Christie! Fun read!
I miss the old fashion who done it’s like this one.
Fun to read Agatha Christie. Not much action even with multiple murders.
Not much of a surprise ending.
As usual, Miss Marple solves a convoluted crime; most unexpected perpetrator.
I love Miss Marple mysteries. It is always fun to read about Miss Marple, an elderly lady who outwits everybody. Maybe not the best of Agatha Christie mysteries, but worth reading at least once. Recommend it highly.
Agatha Christie never disappoints with her wonderful plots
A typical Agatha Christie romp. A quick, easy read for the beach or a rainy afternoon.