Murder is Easy

Murder is Easy (1939) Agatha Christie (Superintendent Battle)

Luke Fitzwilliam has retired and is headed back to England from the Mayang Straits, wondering what he’s doing to do with himself.

An odd exchange about murder with an old woman on a train had been easily dismissed.

what was I saying? Oh, yes, somebody said that there was a look— a special look that he gave anyone— and then very shortly afterwards that person would be taken ill.

Until he reads she was killed almost immediately after getting off the train car they shared.

Curiosity sends Luke to Wychwood, where he poses as the cousin of a local woman to see if there might be any truth that the spate of deaths were, in fact, murders.

This book was published in 1939, which gives us bits like this.

She wore no hat, and there was no net on her hair.

Although this isn’t a Miss Marple story, there are always the little bits I adore.

“Ah,” said Mrs. Pierce. “I’m never one to gossip.” This was unexpected but promising.

Luke pricked up his ears and waited.

Though my favorites are the ones that could easily be heard today.

“It’s always cheering,” said Luke, “to hear someone speak well of the marriage state. Especially in these days of easy divorce.”

“Pah!” said the major. “Young people make me sick. No stamina— no endurance. They can’t stand anything. No fortitude!”

I do think nowadays there is so much waste— and nobody saves or thinks of the future.

PLUS we get the forerunner of the McMansion.

“Yes, they tried to put it over on me here! Carry out the original spirit of the building. No, I said, I’m going to live in the place, and I want something to show for my money! When one architect wouldn’t do what I wanted I sacked him and got another.”

This is another I don’t particularly remember reading, even though I must have at some point.

Publisher: William Morrow

Rating: 7/10

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