The Moving Finger, Agatha Christie

I have never read Agatha Christie before, but since she's a favourite of one of the bloggers I follow, I made note to read something by her. In fact - since she has written so many novels, I had to google for her bests. The Moving Finger (incidentally a chapter title for A Tangled Web, thus making me think that it's a quotation) sounded very promising, being one of Christie's own favourites.

Well, I was thoroughly converted into a fan. The beginning was nothing more than a suspenseful and ominous statement - mysterious letters - followed by a series of character sketches of all the curious personages in town. Of course, you immediately survey and sum them up as suspects. Each character is conveyed through a quick few paragraphs of description, and his/her conversation:

Consider Megan's pattern of speech:

"She spoke, as usual, in a kind of breathless rush.

.. 'Shouldn't they? They all do around here. Are you walking down to the town? I saw you were alone, so I thought I'd stop and walk with you, only I stopped rather suddenly.'"

compared to the force of Aimee Griffith's:

"Extraordinary child," said Miss Griffith. "Bone lazy. Spends her time mooning about. Must be a great trial to poor Mrs. Symmington."


The plot thickens every chapter, and is very well paced. You're made to suspect Megan all along, although the narrator never does, and you're infuriated with him for his blindness and dread the revelation. Then, of course, an unaccountable plot twist occurs. Very clever stuff, great book, holds together excellently.