The Second Murder at the Vicarage

By Val McDermid

[2nd story in the short story collection Marple: Twelve New Mysteries]

Agatha Christie could have written this one. Excellent example. Characters all come across as they did in the first one. Not a big mystery.

Well written. Short story, but too long. Also, too short. Not an Agatha Christine fan. How did the maid who isn’t that smart figure it out in the first place.  Who else could have possibly done it?

Don’t think Christie is a great writer, but great plotter/storyteller. This author brought so much backstory/characters in that reminded that writing a sequel is hard. This story didn’t stand on its own. Clearly being very loyal to first story.

Never been able to enjoy Christie, so don’t really know how to rate these short stories – feel like rating against each other. Thought writing was good.  

Think the ride wasn’t long enough – can forgive more in long form. Love Val McDermont

True to first murder in the vicarage and same characters.  Amused that no one cared enough about the boyfriend to care that he was murdered. Very Marpleish

Like the first sentence – set tone. Felt abruptly short. She did a really good job mimicking style.

Too short to be a good mystery and if it’s not a good mystery what’s the point. Think rating for all of these short stories is going to be about the same