Piyangie's Reviews > Murder is Easy

Murder is Easy, a mystery in the Superintendent Battle series, is an intriguing mystery with a bizarre motive. The idea that motivated the story is quite authentic even though it's rather fantastic. It's this imagination, weird though at times, what draws me happily into the mysteries of Agatha Christie.

The story involves the investigation of a series of killing by an ex-police officer, Luke Fitzwilliam, who learns the tale from the last victim. Luke settles in the village with the help of a friend and carries on his investigation, but his theories lead him astray while the actual murderer strikes again for the final prey. Would Luke be able to apprehend the criminal before another murder is committed?

The story is interesting overall. Fitzwilliam, I felt to be another Hastings, with his impatience for action and the eagerness to jump to easy conclusions. He was quite an amusing protagonist. However, what I felt here is that the story was poorly written. There were interesting characters, the ones that one normally meets in every quiet village. But all of them are presented superficially. And the sassy love interest of Luke, Bridget, who helps him to uncover the murderer, makes only a few appearances. The worst is that although this is one in the Superintendent Battle series, his appearance is almost nonexistent.

This mystery could have easily been one of her good ones has Christie put an effort to enliven the characters and to involve Superintendent Battle more in the course of the investigation, it would have turned out to be a better entertaining story. As it is, it's not one of her best, yet interesting enough to enjoy.

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