Aunt Jane At Bertram's Hotel !

Miss Marple at Bertram’s hotel in London! That is news! The Victorian lady, who seldom left her village St Mary Mead, was persuaded by her nephew, Raymond to have a holiday. Knowing Miss Marple’s preference for old fashioned places, she was put up at Bertram’s hotel – one of the expensive places in London. From the outside to the very interiors, it seemed like an old fashioned Victorian mansion. With fireplaces, enough menservants on beck and call and the original homemade food was what attracted old ladies (Fluffy old pussies as called by Inspector Craddock) and gentlemen to this hotel.

 But as the owner himself confided in to the Inspector who had come for the interrogation, it wasn’t easy or cheap to run such a place with maintaining everything like the early 19^th century. And the prices couldn’t be much high, as his guests were usually old pensioners with less to spend. So, there was another side to this hotel, a modern side with modern appliances and stuff which was preferred by the Americans looking for the British Hotels, but with their own inventions as well. And the owner too did charge high prices from them, thus was able to run the hotel as it was.

To skip endorsing the hotel and entering the plot, Bess Sedwick runs in her estranged daughter, Elvira and her guardian, Colonel Luscombe at the hotel. Bess herself is a famous actress who is in love with a racing driver Malinowski; her daughter too has fallen for him. Canon Pennyfeather is another character who plays an important role. After the murder of the hotel commissionaire, Gorman, whom was the first husband of Bess, the plot enters a murky land. After many deductions and far flung nets, Sedwick is taxed with the truth that she shot Gorman. Sedwick tries to flee in a car, unfortunately the car crashes fatally! Though Miss Marple is sure Bess did herself in to protect her daughter who had possibly shot Gorman.

It is truly an interesting read through; one full of mysterious turns but still it is an engaging novel! And of course, I need not say anything else – it is Agatha Christie!