BookPath
The Murder At The Vicarage
Agatha Christie

The Murder At The Vicarage

Quick Answer

Start with "The Murder At The Vicarage" to begin the Miss Marple Mysteries. It is the essential series starter and provides the necessary foundation for the rest of the books.

Quick Verdict

✅ Safe to read now (Series Entry Point)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: This is the essential series starter that introduces the Agatha Christie's core world and character arcs. It is required reading for all new fans.

Is this helpful?
2026304 ppSeries Starter
***Murder at the Vicarage (1930)is the first Miss Marple mystery book by Agatha Christie.*** Miss Jane Marple is a village busybody who applies human nature to crimes. Colonel Protheroe, magistrate universally despised, was shot in his study, unheard. His wife Anne admits newly arrived artist Lawrence Redding is an old flame, and both confess to murder. **The local inspector and Miss Marple sort through to the truth.** ***The murder of Colonel Protheroe shocks the town of St. Mary Mead, where the main entertainment is tea and gossip.*** Among the neighbors of St. Mary Mead, the most meddlesome, observant and shrewd person is Miss Marple. His intervention will be decisive in the resolution of a crime for which there are no suspects. ***Death in the vicarage, published in 1930, was the first appearance of one of the most important characters in the work of Agatha Christie, the spinster and insightful Miss Marple, whose cases have been adapted several times both to the cinema and in Form of television series.***
Next Recommended Book

The Body In The Library

Book #2 of 12 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Miss Marple Mysteries conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading The Murder At The Vicarage?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read The Murder At The Vicarage before other books in the series?

Yes, The Murder At The Vicarage is the first book in the series and is the ideal starting point for new readers.

Is The Murder At The Vicarage required reading for the Miss Marple Mysteries?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after The Murder At The Vicarage in the reading order?

The next recommended book after The Murder At The Vicarage is The Body In The Library (Book #2).