The Thirteen Problems

In the Agatha Christie novel The Thirteen Problems, a group of six friends are having a sociable evening at Miss Marple's charming house when the conversation gets round to unsolved mysteries.

They decide to form a club called The Tuesday Night Club, which is to meet every week and at which each member in turn will relate a mystery, to which they have the answer. The other members will then try to arrive at the correct explanation.

Although Miss Marple is admitted to the club as a mere matter of politeness '“ everyone imagining that she is too old and unworldly to play any significant part '“ Miss marple comes up with the right answer every time.

The Tuesday Night Club

Raymond West travels down to Cornwall to research his latest novel.He is due to meet with John Newman to discuss the salvage operation of an Armada ship which contains a vast amount of gold.When John Newman is kidnapped and attacked, all fingers point to a local man but is he guilty?Perhaps Miss Marple can solve the case...

The Idol House of Astarte

Dr Pender tells of a visit he made to a country house on Dartmoor when a young man.There are nine guests in total including Diana Ashley, a noted society beauty and the host Richard Haydon.One evening a fancy dress party takes place in a clearing in the wood where there is a summerhouse.The clearing is surrounded with a circle of trees and many of the guests feel the presence of evil.Diana, dressed as Goddess of the Moon starts to behave in a strange way.Richard plays along with her but as he is approaching her he falls over.They discover he has been stabbed to death '“ but no-one was close enough to have killed him!No one was ever found guilty but Miss Marple believes she knows who the killer was!

Ingots of Gold

Raymond West, Miss Marple's nephew, is writing a new book.For research, he visits John Newman who has bought the rights to salvage an Armada ship containing a vast amount of gold.Raymond learns that another ship was wrecked in the area six months before; but this one was carrying gold bullion, which is now mysteriously missing!

The Bloodstained Pavement

Joyce has come to Cornwall for a painting holiday but whilst painting the local village she suddenly realises she has included drops of blood on the pavement, but none exist.A local man tells her of the local superstition that seeing blood on the pavement means a death within 24 hours!Two days later Joyce learns a woman drowned off the coast - was it an accident?Miss Marple thinks not!

Motive vs. Opportunity

Mr Clode is a very rich man and intends to leave his estate to his nephew, George, and two nieces.But before he dies, he changes his will to include a Mrs Spragg, a medium who has convinced him that George is an imposter!When Clode dies they discover his new will is missing.Who among the many suspects could have stolen it?The only people who had a motive had no opportunity '“ it is left to Miss Marple to solve the case!

The Thumb Mark of St. Peter

When Mabel's husband dies, the village gossips of St Mary Mead begin to question why.When Miss Marple finds out they quarrelled the night before it looks even more suspicious.Mabel admits to buying some arsenic but claims she intended to commit suicide.Who is telling the truth?

The Blue Geranium

Mrs Pritchard, has arranged to see a psychic who warns her there is evil and danger in her house.Two days later she receives a letter from the psychic; she must beware the full moon: blue primrose means warning, blue hollyhock is danger and blue geranium is death!When the warnings begin to appear poor Mrs Pritchard is terrified '“ could there be truth in the psychic's message?

The Companion

A woman takes her own life after killing her companion, but what was her motive?Miss Marple recognises that this is remarkably similar to a situation that once occurred in St Mary Mead.Could the solution be found in everyday village life?

The Four Suspects

Dr Rosen, instrumental in the downfall of a secret German organisation, is convinced the members of the organisation will seek revenge.When he is found dead, his fears would seem to be confirmed.Four members of his household claim to have heard nothing; none of them have an alibi.Could the Secret organisation be at the root of this or do the answers lie closer to home?

A Christmas Tragedy

While visiting Keston Spa Hydro, Miss Marple meets Mr and Mrs Sanders.Certain that Mr Sanders plans to kill his wife, Miss Marple does everything she can to protect the innocent woman. Despite Miss Marple's best efforts poor Mrs Sanders is killed but her husband has an alibi '“ could the amateur sleuth have made a mistake?

The Herb of Death

Sir Ambrose's dinner party is not going to plan.Foxglove leaves, picked earlier that day, have made everyone ill and left the unfortunate Sylvia dead.It was Sylvia herself who delivered the leaves to Cook but no one knows if she actually picked them.Was Sylvia the victim of a murderer?But who would want to kill the lovely Sylvia?No, it is much more likely that the rich Sir Ambrose was the intended victim '“ or was it?

The Affair at the Bungalow

When Jane Hellier invited Leslie Faulkner to discuss a play he had written, she could never have imagined the complex events that would unfold.Before long Leslie is accused of theft and a series of hoaxes unravels to confuse the police. Only Miss Marple is able to guess the truth!

Death by Drowning

Miss Marple's old friend Dolly Bantry has heard some news about one of the village girls.Rose Emmott threw herself off a bridge and drowned; the poor girl had discovered she was pregnant.But Miss Marple doesn't believe it was suicide, and hearing the facts she believes she knows who the killer is...