Holidaying high in the Himalayas, browsing through a friend’s bookcase, I came across a battered copy of ”Murder is Easy”.
Just the ticket for a chilly afternoon.
A cup of tea and an Agatha Christie. Perfect.
And what a great book this is.
A serial murderer is afoot in the picturesque English village of Wychwood-under-Ashe, and Luke Fitzwilliam, a recently retired policeman from the Mayang Straits is drawn into the mystery.
This book was written in 1939, and yes, of course bits if it sound a little out of date. Servants. Women wearing hats and gloves to go call on neighbours. Men raising their hats to women. The local gentry. That kind of thing.
But what is astonishing after – what? 83 years – is the timelessness of a good whodunnit. I certainly didn’t get it, not guessing the killer’s identity until Ms Christie coolly explained it.
There is a cast of almost stock-in-trade charcaters in the village. The gentry, the vicar, an irascible old Major, but there is also a foppish, rather nasty antique dealer who may or may not dabble in Druid-y kind of behaviour, adding a distinctly darker edge to the village.
Ms Christie’s social observations in the book are fascinating. Bridget Conway is an intelligent young woman, engaged to the local self-made lord of the manor, whom she openly mocks. Luke is clearly rather smitten with this sharp, perceptive young woman:
“I cramped your style, said Bridget.
“I saw that. It rather amused me, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, it would! Women with any brains are usually cold-bloodedly cruel,” Bridget murmured.
“One has to take one’s pleasures as one can in this life!”
Later, when Luke expresses his shock at the thought of Bridget marrying the crass, ill-educated Lord Whitfield, Bridget is scathing;
“I am a young woman with a certain amount of intelligence, very moderate looks, and no money. I intend to earn an honest living. My job as Gordon’s wife will be practically indistinguishable from my job as Gordon’s secretary. After a year I doubt if he’ll remember to kiss me good night. The only difference is in the salary.”
83 years ago, what were Bridget’s options? She is perceptive and unemotional about the cards life has dealt her.
A great mystery, surprisingly un-old-fashioned writing, and a thoroughly enjoyable read.