The Murder at the VicarageThe Murder at the Vicarage
Score Classic
What it's about
Colonel Protheroe, a magistrate everyone despises, is found shot in a study. Two people confess, and village busybody Miss Jane Marple uses her knowledge of human nature to sort out the truth.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It's the first Miss Marple mystery.
You'll love it if you liked
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
And Then There Were None
The Mysterious Affair at StylesGood to know
It's the best place to start with Miss Marple.
By the numbers
- Readers46 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics30 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller28 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #359 of the 623 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #650 of the 924 classics we rank
- #2040 of the 3,057 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping
More by Agatha Christie
And Then There Were NoneThe Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Curtain
Murder on the Orient ExpressIf you like this, read next
The Godfather
Rebecca
Crime and Punishment
The Pillars of the Earth
In Cold Blood
The Name of the RoseExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Murder at the Vicarage worth reading?
Yes. It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It ranks #2,040 of the 3,057 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 64.7 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Murder at the Vicarage about?
Colonel Protheroe, a magistrate everyone despises, is found shot in a study. Two people confess, and village busybody Miss Jane Marple uses her knowledge of human nature to sort out the truth.
How long does it take to read The Murder at the Vicarage?
About 7 hours (288 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Murder at the Vicarage?
If you liked it, try The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie or The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie.