A Pocket Full of Rye is one of the first Miss Marple mysteries that I’ve read in a long time. While I’m a Christie fan, I tend to favour Poirot’s stories. But, I’m running out of new Poirot’s mysteries and decided to try a Miss Marple; I was surprised by how fun it was!

In the story, Rex Fortescue is poisoned and found with a pocketful of rye. Inspector Neele finds it odd but decides to pursue more conventional leads. It’s only with the addition of two more deaths and the coming of Miss Marple that it is pointed out that the killings resemble the famous nursery rhyme.

Like with many of Christie’s mysteries, this stories features the dysfunctional but interesting Fortescue family. There’s Percival, the penny-pinching eldest son and his wife; Adele, the very young, new wife; Lance, the black sheep who just came home with his new wife; the cranky aunt-in-law; and the mysterious housekeeper, Miss Dove.

I found all these characters to be interesting, although we sadly don’t get to delve too deep into their lives. The emotionally strongest part of the book was, for me, at the very end, with Miss Marple and her relationship with a character in the story.

As for Miss Marple, I can’t imagine why I’ve held off reading her mysteries for so long. This was a very delightful book and I really enjoyed it. Inspector Peele made a solid second detective, with his careful investigation, and I would be interested in seeing if he and Miss Marple team up again.

Looks like I have a lot more Christie to read now.