A Christmas Tragedy by Agatha Christie

Miss Marple is challenged by friends to tell a story of 'real' murder, thinking nothing ever happens in quiet St. Mary Mead.

"Come to think of it, I do remember one incident," she replies.

Keston Spa Hydro has its share of gossips, shocked when someone dies of pneumonia, and again when a housemaid dies of a septic finger. "Never two without three," they whisper. When Miss Marple meets Mr. & Mrs. Sanders, she feels in her bones he is going to kill her. If not accidental, it will be murder. Returning from a night out with the boys, Mr. Sanders asks Marple for an opinion on a Christmas gift, and they return to his room on the top floor, near the maids' quarters. When they open the door, Mrs. Sanders is found bludgeoned to death on the floor, dressed and wearing her hat. It couldn't have been done by the husband; maybe someone came in through the fire escape. The wardrobe is locked, and there seems to be nothing missing. The room is sealed until the police arrive to investigate; asking Marple to repeat what she saw. Everything is exactly the same as it was before being locked, except she is no longer wearing her hat.

While certainly not festive, this winter tragedy is a tight little gem, serving Marple a confounding mystery with - however convoluted - an ingenious solution. Marple is always recommended!

Written in 1930, this was first published as The Hat and The Alibi, and has been included in many Christie collections including The Thirteen Problems, The Mystery of the Blue Geranium and other Tuesday Club Murders, Miss Marple - The Complete Short Stories, and Midwinter Murder, as well as several collections separate from Agatha Christie.

Easy available in all formats, including free audiobook and radio play online.

1930 / Tradeback