If you are a manga reader, you might find the image above familiar. Yes, it's the infamous red notice from the well-known Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango by artist Kamio Yoko. Today's post is not about the manga, though. I just find the danger notice above quite suitable for my recent reading below.
Title: A Murder is Announced
Author: Agatha Christie
ISBN: 0007120966 (ISBN13: 9780007120963)
Recurring Characters: Miss Jane Marple, Sir Henry Clithering, Inspector Dermot Craddock
A Murder is Announced, as the title suggested, an attempt of murder is openly indicated on an advertising column of the Friday morning local newspaper, the Gazette, at a peaceful village of Chipping Cleghorn. It is stated that a murder is going to happen at Little Paddocks at 6.30 pm that evening while the 6 residents of Little Paddocks themselves find the article very extraordinary as they have no idea who have come up with such an annoying joke. When the indicated time gets closer, curious neighbors of Chipping Cleghorn start "coincidentally dropping by" to Little Paddock to witness how the announced murder is going to happen. As the clock struck 6.30, lights go out, somebody breaks in, a bank robbery-scene like takes place, shots are heard, lights come back, hysterical screams go off and you know what to expect. The old Miss Marple has to come back with her ever so brilliant "grey cells".
The title intrigued me when I first saw it. I thought, okay, why would a murderer make this kind of stupid announcement when he/she is going to commit a murder? But of course, everything is necessary here. Even this curious murder announcement is needed to make the murder plan "complete". I kind of have guessed who the murderer is after reading the first few chapters (and I guessed it right!), nevertheless, I still find the plot awesome. The story twist and the behind-motive are what I would call as a very Agatha Christie's storytelling style (with her misleading clues), which I think, after reading a couple of her books, is the reason why I could guess who the murderer is right away!
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