A Body in The Library by Agatha Christie

Dolly Bantry, wife of Colonel Bantry of St. Mary Mead, at first thought she was dreaming when the maid told her there was a body in the library. What else could make sense? However, she did as any respectable wife and awoke her husband who begrudgingly descended the stairs and discovered it to be the truth. Even though neither know who the you lady is, gossip spreads and Dolly, fearing for her husband and his reputation, implores her friend Miss Marple to investigate.

Now the list of suspects contains not only the Bantrys but also a local film star, a well to do well-known family, and the employees of a nearby hotel. Miss Marple has her hands full juggling her friend's request and stopping a murder before they strike again.

One of the main plots Christie employs over and over is invisibility. While the reader knows Miss Marple's qualities, the characters do not. It is that invisibility that allows Miss Marple to investigate without any interference. The police believe her to be a simple, interfering spinster with nothing else to do. The suspects are all surprised by the remarks and insights she conveys. It's simply delicious to feel the shock oozing from the pages.

As always the story is shorter than most mysteries, but it does keep one's attention. The plot may seem a bit far-fetched (have you ever heard of someone randoming placing a body in an occupied house?) but it also gives an air of possibility once the solution is revealed. I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.