"The Murder at the Vicarage" is Agatha Christie's first novel featuring the mild-mannered but brilliantly incisive Miss Jane Marple, an elderly spinster living a quiet life in the little village of St. Mary Mead who often steps in to assist the local constabulary in solving their most baffling cases.

In this story, narrated by Rev. Leonard Clement - the local vicar - the townspeople are shocked when Colonel Protheroe - a wealthy magistrate who is widely disliked in the village - is found shot to death in the vicarage. Suspects abound as the local inspector proceeds with his investigation and discovers that almost everyone in the village had a motive for ending the Colonel's life. It is only when Miss Marple - local gardener and renowned busybody - takes an interest in the case, that the puzzle pieces begin to fall into place.

One of the most widely admired detective stories of the early 20th century, "The Murder at the Vicarage" launched a number of Miss Marple novels and further established Agatha Christie as the premiere mystery writer of her era. It is presented here as it was originally published in 1930.