Description at Goodreads:
Miss Jane Marple has checked into Bertram's Hotel in London for a much-needed vacation. The last thing she expects is that this elegant establishment, known for its service and old-world charm, could be embroiled in scandal. But after a series of strange events—including the disappearance of a fellow guest, the arrival of a notorious celebrity bad boy, and finally, a shocking murder—she finds herself drawn into a multifaceted mystery.
This portion of the description at Goodreads is an accurate description, but later there is an implication that Miss Marple gets involved in the investigation, which is not accurate. Miss Marple observes useful pieces of information, and along the way she does reveal her thoughts to the reader on many of the events. The real investigator in this mystery is Chief Inspector Fred Davy, who has noted the connection of many of the guests at the hotel to various crimes in the area, and the story works more as a police procedural than is usual in a Miss Marple novel. All of that worked very well for me and I had no complaint. Fred Davy was a great character.
There are a lot of coincidences in this story; for example, Miss Marple runs into various guests at the hotel in the city of London who seem to be in questionable relationships.
At Bertram's Hotel is a later book in the Miss Marple series and it didn't measure up to other books in that series for me. However, it was a fun read, with some humor. I like books set in hotels and Bertram's Hotel was lovely. There were several interesting characters, so overall I liked it and I plan to finish the series.
I don't think I've ever read At Bertram's Hotel but have seen and enjoyed the Joan Hickson TV version a few times. It is, as you say though, more of a police prodedural than the more typical village or country house setting for a Miss Marple. My favourite is the 4.50 From Paddington, I've read it a couple of times and it is one of Christie's best in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteCath, I am not sure that I can pick a top favorite Miss Marple, but The 4.50 From Paddington would definitely be one of my favorites. Others would include The Murder in the Vicarage (because the Vicar narrates the story) and The Moving Finger, which also has a first person narrator, Jerry Burton.
DeleteI have that box of Joan Hickson's Miss Marple TV movies but have only watched a couple of them so far.
Any Marple is a good Marple.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Jerry, you can't go wrong with Miss Marple. I only have two more to read: Nemesis and Sleeping Murder.
DeleteI haven't read this one yet, but I hope to read all of Christie's books someday. I'm about halfway through her mysteries.
ReplyDeleteLark, I also hope to read all of Christie's mysteries. Not counting short stories, I have read almost all of the Poirot books. Same for Miss Marple. But I have a good number of the standalone books that I haven't read. I will have to make a list of the ones I have not read.
DeleteYou know, Tracy, I had almost exactly the same reaction to this book that you did. It is a lovely portrait of an old-style hotel. But it's not Christie's very best. Still, I always love Miss Marple as a character, and the story is interesting.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Margot. The Miss Marple mysteries vary a lot, with some starting and ending with Miss Marple taking an active part in the investigation. Sometimes she comes in towards the later part of the book. But she is always effective in the part she plays.
DeleteI agree with you and Margot about this particular Marple book. However, I do love Miss Marple - actually a bit more than Poirot. I have also watched all the Joan Hickson versions of the books and loved them. It's been a long time since I read this one. And, like Cath, I think that 4:50 From Paddington might be my favorite or maybe Sleeping Murder.
ReplyDeleteKay, I have gone back and forth on which I prefer, Marple or Poirot. Poirot has such wonderful quirks, after I got used to them. But both work well in the environment that they are used in.
DeleteI must have read this but I do not remember the Davy character.
ReplyDeletePatti, I was certainly surprised when Davy showed up in such a prominent role. And I have forgotten most of the plots of Agatha Christie books I read years ago.
DeleteEven when her books are less than what I'm used to, I still enjoy the hell out of them. Actually, I'd taken them over most of what's written today. Except maybe The Big Four, that one I just don't like.
ReplyDeleteRyan, I haven't read The Big Four yet and I have read negative reports on it. But I will be reading it eventually.
DeleteI've only read one Miss Marple so far, but this one is on my list at Libby.
ReplyDeleteKelly, it took me a while to adjust to the Miss Marple books because in one book she would be front and center and in the next she would show up later and have a smaller role. But still, most of the Miss Marple books center around village life and the settings are interesting. I hope you like At Bertram's Hotel when you get to it.
DeleteRecently I am pleased to say I read Murder At The Vicarage which I really enjoyed. So I am in the mood for more Agatha Christie and Miss Marple.
ReplyDeleteKathy, I loved Murder at the Vicarage. I read it about 10 years ago, although that may not have been the first time. I read a lot of books by Christie when I was a teenager and in my twenties. I liked the first person narration by the vicar, especially. I hope you do read more Miss Marple, all of her books (that I have read) are entertaining.
DeleteI haven't been able to eat a poached egg in decades without thinking of Bertram's Hotel! I agree it's not on a par with her earlier Miss Marple books, but I do like the hotel. Glad you enjoyed it!
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