The Body in the Library

The Body in the Library (1942) Agatha Christie

Mrs Bantry reflected a minute and then applied an urgent conjugal elbow to her sleeping spouse.

‘Arthur, Arthur, wake up.’

Colonel Bantry grunted, muttered, and rolled over on his side.

‘Wake up, Arthur. Did you hear what she said?’

‘Very likely,’ said Colonel Bantry indistinctly. ‘I quite agree with you, Dolly,’ and promptly went to sleep again.

Superintendent Harper nodded. He had just cast a casual glance out of the window. There were at that moment no less than eight Minoan 14s in the courtyard – it was the popular cheap car of the year.

Mr Jefferson’s personality is so strong. If you live with it, you can’t somehow have a personality of your own.

‘But Jane, who is it? Tell me at once.’

Miss Marple shook her head very firmly and pursed up her lips. ‘I’m sorry, Dolly, but that wouldn’t do at all.’

‘Why wouldn’t it do?’

‘Because you’re so indiscreet. You would go round telling everyone – or, if you didn’t tell, you’d hint.’

‘No, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t tell a soul.’

‘People who use that phrase are always the last to live up to it.

Characters: Inspector Slack, Conway Jefferson, Ruby Keene, Adelaide Jefferson, Mark Gaskell, Josie Turner, Pamela Reeves, Raymond Starr, George Bartlett, Dolly Bantry, Arthur Bantry, Basil Blake, Miss Marple

Rating: 9/10

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