Was sorting through some Agatha Christie books, picked up a nice copy of Nemesis, began rereading it and could not put it down. Although I have read it before I still found myself hooked by the mystery at its heart which clever old Ms Marple teases out. It is a well constructed reopening of a "closed case", for want of a better description, where the terrifying motive is...Love. An unreasoning, selfish and ultimately murderous love, but love all the same. It unfolds gradually as the layers of time are peeled back and the dead find a champion in the boney frame of this pink cardiganned detective.
Agatha Christie was on top form when she wrote this book. Had to be. The delicate web of events she weaves are a marvel. A great injustice is perpretated, on a character who is not entirely sympathetic but no less deserving of fairness and justice. It is up to Ms Marple to provide that justice in a world which has already moved on.
I kept seeing the actress Joan Hickson in the theatre of my imagination as the story unfolded. Joan Hickson was my favourite interpretation of the character. Those piercing eyes, the way she listened and watched proceedings. Like a bird of prey perched on the wrist of a hunter, a true nemesis of sorts. That way of watching her observe and listen to a witness relate their interpretation of an event only to have her point out "Yes, but is that what you really saw?" before suggesting a new way of recalling events, one that nails a murderous intent. I a seemingly harmless conversation, past sins are revealed by the choice of words, most chillingly love is suggested as a motive for a cruel act, one that brokes no repeal. She had a pretty dark understading of human nature. Actually, its not neccessary to use the word "dark", she understood us for what we are. And there in lies the rub-a-dub-dub.
