But it comes to nothing as Martine never arrives. Did the marriage take place? Where is Martine? Yet only recently has Emma received a communication from Martine and a meeting at Rutherford Hall is arranged. Yet shortly afterwards he was killed in action. During the war Edmund had written home that he was going to marry someone called Martine.

Eventually she reveals to DI Craddock from Scotland Yard (an old friend of Miss Marple’s) a piece of family history. At first the family say they do not recognise the woman who is found, but a few tell-tale signs suggest at least Emma knows something or thinks she does. After a few surreptitious walks, Lucy eventually achieves the goal Miss Marple gave her: to find the body, eerily though fittingly hidden in a sarcophagus (in a barn) Luther had sent home from European travels in his youth. Edith’s son Alexander and his father Bryan Eastley also stay at the Hall from time to time. Cedric is a painter abroad, whilst Alfred is the black sheep of the family always involved in shady deals and Harold is a city financier, married to an earl’s daughter. He also has three living sons (another, Edmund died during WW2 and he also had another daughter named Edith who died 5 years ago). Luther Crackenthorpe is an elderly invalid who lives with his unmarried daughter Emma. Miss Marple sends an ally, Lucy Eyelesbarrow, into the house to work as domestic help, whilst she herself goes to stay nearby at the home of a former maidservant. Her first lead is an old house near the railway line, Rutherford Hall, which is owned by Luther Crackenthorpe. But with no body being found by the police it seems like Miss Marple will have her work cut trying to prove her friend’s story.

Being disbelieving by the ticket collector she tells her old friend Miss Marple about it. It begins with Elspeth McGillicuddy witnessing a man strangle a woman on a moving train which is opposite to her own. This is also a Miss Marple adventure I have a soft spot for. This is my first re-read of my blog and is my entry into Past Offences’ Crimes of the Century Monthly Challenge. Vintage Mystery Scavenger Hunt Item: Doctor (Back Cover)

Joan hickson 4.50 from paddington