REVIEW: A Caribbean Mystery

 A Caribbean Mystery
Author: Agatha Christie

This is one of my favorite Miss Marple stories. I've read this book multiple times over the years. It was the first Miss Marple mystery I ever read, and I think that is why it's a favorite. 

The book was first published in the UK in 1964, followed by US publication in 1965.  

I read my old paperback copy [Pocket Books, 1982, 219 pages] while listening to the audio book version [HarperCollins, 2013, 6 hrs 38 minutes, narrated by Emilia Fox]. 

The Basics: Miss Marple is sent on a tropical vacation by her nephew so she can fully recover from being ill. A fellow traveler tells her a story about a man who killed more than one of his wives, offering to show her a picture of the villain. The very next day the storyteller is found dead. Murdered, of course. Miss Marple is on the case! Even while on vacation!  

Adaptations: 

Made-for-television Movie 1983: Helen Hayes plays Miss Marple in this adaptation.  I really wanted to watch this movie! But....it is not available on any streaming platform I have, except Amazon. But it's a rent/buy situation. Nope. Not paying for a 43 year old made-for-TV movie on top of what I already pay for Prime! If it pops up on streaming anywhere, I will watch it and update my review. 

Television: The Miss Marple series adapted this story in 1989. Joan Hickson is wonderful as Miss Marple, as usual. 

Television: Agatha Christie's Marple featured Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple for an episode in 2013. 

French television: Les Petits Meurtres d'Agatha Christie adapted this story into an episode in 2016. The story is moved to France with French detectives. Lots of changes to the story, but the episode is entertaining!

Radio Drama: In 1997, BBC Radio 4 first broadcast a radio drama based on this novel, starring June Whitfield as Miss Marple. All the BBC radio dramas based on Agatha Christie are quite well done with full casts and sound effects. 

 

I enjoyed re-visiting this story again. I didn't remember the killer's identity until I got almost to the very end. 

I wish someone would send me on a tropical vacation!! ha ha. But, I could do without the murder to investigate! I would be quite happy sitting on the beach with an umbrella drink. :)  

I enjoyed both television episodes. I would have a very hard time picking a favorite between the two long-running Marple shows. I'm just going to take the easy route and say I like both! 

I got several books ahead in reading....and then had to back track and watch adaptations. I'm just now catching up on blogging because I have a week of PTO to watch shows and write reviews!  

My old paperback is in the recycle bin. On to the next! Getting closer and closer to the end!