Postern of Fate was the last book that Agatha Christie wrote, which makes reading it a bit of a melancholy prospect. Tommy and Tuppence make their last appearance as rather elderly individuals in their seventies. At the beginning of the book, they have moved into their new home and are putting it into order. The early part of the book is therefore spent revisiting classic childhood literature with the Beresfords, which is not entirely charmless, but it’s also not particularly swift moving. Tuppence, in particular, […]

At Bertram’s Hotel is the 11th Miss Marple, published in 1944, and Jane is winding down her career – there are only two more Miss Marple mysteries after this one: Nemesis, published in 1971 and The Sleeping Murder, published in 1976 (but apparently written much earlier). Bertram’s Hotel is an old-fashioned hotel in London, with an impeccable reputation and an equally impeccable tea tray. One can get *real* muffins here, slathered in butter, to go with one’s tea. As an American, I have no idea […]