Pocket full of Rye by Agatha Christie

"Pocket full of Rye" by Agatha Christie. This edition of the book is published by HarperCollins in 2012 and has 128 pages. This is a Miss Marple mystery.

Rex Fortescue is a successful businessman. He knows how to exploit things by less than legal means without breaking the law. One day he comes to the office, drinks tea and dies. Police are called and it is quickly established that the reason of death is by poison called Taxine but it was not given through his tea. Mr. Fortesque's pocket is full of cereal Rye.

He is survived by his beautiful second wife, Adel, 30 years younger and having affair with a young man, Two sons Lans & Percy and a daughter. Lans has been estranged after attempting money swindle, years ago. He lives in East Africa and returns after hearing the news. Percy is the obedient son helping his father in business. Daughter wants to marry a man with socialist leanings and the union is disproved by Rex. The household consists of wives of the two sons, sister of Rex's first wife, Mary Dove the house keeper, Mr. Crump the valet, Mrs crump the cook and Gladice the young servant girl.

Inspector Niel starts investigation. There are more murders. Mrs. Adel Fortesque is killed in her study after taking tea. This time the poison is potassium cyanide. The servant girl Gladice is found dead, strangled. Then enters Miss Marple.

Who called Miss Marple? Will Inspector Niel accept her presence? What is the mystery of Rye? Who put the black birds in the pie instead of veal? Are there any more murders? Whodunit?

The story is small and crispy. Miss Marple enters after half way. Everyone seems to have a motive. Most of them seem to have an alibi for atleast one of the three murders. Who is it?

Agatha has delivered another murder mystery nonchalantly. You do not lose interest in the story and keep trying to find the murderer. Miss Marple eventually find the murderer for us, but she gets a vital help that readers don't. Readers think that Miss Maple had an undue advantage over them.

The reference and significance of nursery rhyme 'Sing a song of sixpence...' is used intelligently, though this was not the only time she has used the idea.

A good book. Read if you liked the review.