In A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie, post-World War II England is rocked by murder when a village notice reveals a crime is set to occur at Little Paddocks. Owner Letitia Blacklock is clueless about the announcement, and curiosity draws neighbors to the scene. At the designated time, a blackout ensues, shots are fired, and a body is found, leading to a complex investigation by Inspector Craddock and Miss Marple. Themes of violence and death are prevalent.

Agatha Christie's A Murder Is Announced garners acclaim for its clever plot and engaging twists. Fans appreciate the well-crafted mystery and Christie’s signature suspense. However, some readers find the pacing slow and the character development lacking depth. Overall, the novel is a solid addition to Christie's body of work, appealing most to avid mystery enthusiasts.

Fans of classic whodunits with a taste for suspenseful plots will relish Agatha Christie's A Murder Is Announced. Similar readers often enjoy The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle and The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett, appreciating complex characters and intricate mysteries.

Mysterious / Suspenseful / Unnerving / Dark / Gritty

- A Murder Is Announced was first published in 1950 and is considered one of Agatha Christie's classic detective novels, featuring the beloved character Miss Marple in a full-length novel for the fourth time.
- The book was adapted into a successful TV episode for the BBC series Miss Marple in 1985, further increasing its popularity and introducing the story to a broader audience.
- In 2005, A Murder Is Announced was voted the 53rd favorite book in the The Big Read, a survey conducted by the BBC to find the nation's best-loved novel.

**Miss Jane Marple**  
An astute amateur detective from St. Mary Mead who uses her keen observation of human nature to solve mysteries, often underestimated due to her unassuming demeanor.

**Letitia/Charlotte Blacklock**  
An imposing woman living in Little Paddocks who uses her air of authority and aristocratic bearing to mask secrets, becoming central to the unfolding mystery.

**Detective Inspector Craddock**  
The lead detective on the case who works alongside Miss Marple, known for his attractive appearance and ability to bridge generational perspectives.

**Dora Bunner**  
A childhood friend and loyal companion to Miss Blacklock, often nicknamed "Bunny," remembered for her absent-mindedness and unwitting insight.

**Phillipa Haymes/Pip Stamfordis**  
A reserved young mother working as a gardener at Little Paddocks, whose secretive nature makes her a suspect, and whose background highlights post-war struggles.

**Patrick Simmons**  
A university student and distant cousin of Miss Blacklock known for his devil-may-care attitude and fondness for practical jokes.

**Julia Simmons/Emma Stamfordis**  
An imposter posing as Julia, who infiltrates Little Paddocks with ulterior motives and is known for her chestnut hair and bored expression.

**Mitzi**  
Miss Blacklock’s expressive and emotional cook, a European refugee whose wartime trauma impacts her interactions, and whose character poses cultural contrasts.

**Mrs. Swettenham**  
A chatty widow living with her son Edmund, providing comic relief with her nervous chatter and reflections on postwar austerity.

**Edmund Swettenham**  
Mrs. Swettenham’s son, an aspiring writer with a solemn demeanor and large spectacles, whose personal growth arc is subtly noted.

**Miss Hinchcliffe**  
A practical, energetic woman with traditionally masculine attributes who lives with Miss Murgatroyd and is deeply affected by events.

**Miss Amy Murgatroyd**  
The sweet-natured and disorganized companion of Miss Hinchcliffe, recognized for her amiable nature and childlike naivety.

**Colonel Archie Easterbrook**  
A retired army officer who believes himself authoritative and paternalistic, characterized by his distinctive mustache-twirling habit.

**Mrs. Laura Easterbrook**  
A younger wife of Colonel Easterbrook, known for her blonde hair and flattering demeanor, who manipulates perceptions for her benefit.

**Julian and Diana “Bunch” Harmon**  
The village vicar and his cheerful, round-faced wife Bunch, a forthright character known for her directness and close relation to Miss Marple.

**Belle Goedler**  
The dying widow of Letitia Blacklock’s former employer, whose vibrant love of life contrasts with Charlotte Blacklock’s guarded existence.

**Chief Constable Rydesdale and Sir Henry Clithering**  
Rydesdale is the respected superior of Craddock, while Sir Henry is a distinguished retired commissioner who advocates Miss Marple’s prowess as a detective.

**Rudi Scherz**  
A Swiss receptionist whose actions inadvertently instigate significant events within the novel, noted for his foreign origin and the unease it provokes. 

**Tiglath Pileser**  
The Vicarage cat, whose unintended actions contribute to Miss Marple's investigation by offering crucial insight through their behaviors.

Agatha Christie

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore A Murder Is Announced reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read A Murder Is Announced | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore A Murder Is Announced and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

A Murder Is Announced

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read A Murder Is Announced?

Reading Age

Book Details