The Murder at the Vicarage · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie.
Chapter 1
Dedication
The book is dedicated to Rosalind.
Chapter 2
The Murder at the Vicarage
The chapter introduces the murder of Colonel Protheroe in the vicarage study, with Lawrence Redding and Anne Protheroe each confessing to the crime. Miss Marple provides key timeline evidence, and the curate Hawes shows a morbid interest in the case.
Chapter 3
I
At the Vicarage luncheon, the Narrator jokingly remarks that anyone who murdered Colonel Protheroe would be doing the world a service. The conversation reveals tensions with the Colonel over church accounts and a missing pound note. Griselda teases her husband about his detective story reading and threatens to have an affair with the artist. The afternoon tea party is announced, with Miss Marple among the guests.
Chapter 4
II
The chapter centers on a tea party at the vicarage where the ladies of St. Mary Mead gossip about Dr. Stone and his secretary Miss Cram, Lawrence Redding's relationship with Lettice Protheroe, and the mysterious Mrs. Lestrange. The narrator reflects on the dangers of gossip and his own observations of the village's social dynamics.
Chapter 5
III
The narrator accidentally discovers Lawrence Redding and Anne Protheroe in a passionate embrace in the studio, leading to a private conversation with Anne who confesses her unhappiness in her marriage. Later, the narrator visits the mysterious Mrs. Lestrange, observing her enigmatic nature and feeling she has something urgent to convey. Back at the Vicarage, Griselda jokes about the village gossip and defends herself against any suspicion of an affair with Lawrence.
Chapter 6
IV
The narrator hosts Lawrence Redding for dinner, where he appears distracted. After the meal, Lawrence confesses his affair with Anne Protheroe to the narrator, who urges him to leave St. Mary Mead to avoid scandal. Lawrence initially resists but later agrees to go. The chapter also includes gossip about Dr. Stone and Miss Cram, and ends with the narrator being called away to a dying parishioner.
Chapter 7
V
The Vicar returns home to find Colonel Protheroe murdered in his study. Lawrence Redding behaves erratically outside the Vicarage. Dr. Haydock confirms the death and estimates the time of death. Inspector Slack arrives and takes charge, focusing on a stopped clock and a half-written letter as evidence. The Vicar is unable to inform Slack that the clock is kept fifteen minutes fast.
Chapter 8
VI
The chapter opens with Miss Marple, Griselda, and the Vicar discussing the arrest of Lawrence Redding for the murder of Colonel Protheroe. Miss Marple expresses surprise and suggests that Lawrence's confession might actually indicate his innocence, arguing that a guilty man would not appear so distraught. The conversation touches on the curious details of the crime, including the stopped clock and the unfinished letter. Lettice Protheroe visits, seemingly indifferent to her father's death, and later goes to inform Anne of Lawrence's arrest. The Vicar learns that Inspector Slack has locked the study and departed. Griselda visits Anne Protheroe and finds her quiet but terrified, not grief-stricken. Dennis returns from tennis, excited by the murder, and the chapter ends with the Vicar troubled by the events.
Chapter 9
VII
Colonel Melchett and the Vicar discuss the murder case with Dr. Haydock. Haydock insists that the time of death contradicts Lawrence Redding's confession, suggesting Redding is lying about when he shot Protheroe. The group debates the lack of a heard gunshot and the possibility of a silencer.
Chapter 10
VIII
Lawrence Redding confesses to murdering Colonel Protheroe, but his account is inconsistent. Anne Protheroe then confesses, claiming she shot her husband, but her story also contains discrepancies, particularly regarding the pistol. The chapter reveals the conflicting confessions and deepens the mystery.
Chapter 11
IX
Colonel Melchett and the vicar visit Miss Marple to gather her observations from the evening of the murder. Miss Marple provides a detailed account of Anne Protheroe's and Lawrence Redding's movements, noting their cheerful demeanor and the timing of events. She also reveals that she can think of at least seven people who might have wanted Colonel Protheroe dead. The chapter ends with Miss Marple suggesting a strategy to get the truth from Redding and Anne Protheroe.
Chapter 12
Chapter X
The narrator discusses Miss Marple's keen observations with Colonel Melchett, then returns home to find Miss Cram visiting out of curiosity about the murder. After she leaves, the narrator recounts the morning's events to Griselda and questions Mary about hearing a shot, learning that her young man Archer was jailed by Protheroe.
Chapter 13
XI
Colonel Melchett and Inspector Slack disagree on Lawrence Redding's guilt. Slack insists Redding's confession and the pistol evidence are conclusive, but Melchett and the vicar point to medical evidence showing Protheroe died before 6:30, contradicting Redding's story. The vicar recalls touching the cold body. Slack criticizes the vicar for misleading him about the clock. Later, Miss Marple visits and questions the timing of Protheroe's note, suggesting it was forged and the clock altered to frame someone. Griselda suspects the crime was designed to implicate Anne Protheroe out of hatred.
Chapter 14
XII
Lawrence Redding is interrogated and reveals his actions on the evening of the murder, including his discovery of Protheroe's body and his false confession to protect Anne. The investigation shifts as Inspector Slack questions the maid and Mrs. Price Ridley, while Miss Marple's theory about the note's ink gains traction.
Chapter 15
XIII
The vicar and Colonel Melchett encounter Mrs. Price Ridley at the police station, where she reports an obscene and threatening telephone call she received the previous evening. She describes the caller's 'degenerate' voice and the threat from 'The Avenger.' Inspector Slack takes note of her report and focuses on tracing the fake call that lured the vicar away, as well as investigating everyone's movements between six and seven on the evening of the murder.
Chapter 16
XIV
The narrator encounters Miss Hartnell, then discusses the murder case with Dr. Haydock, who shares his controversial views on crime as a disease rather than a moral failing. Haydock reveals that Mr. Hawes had encephalitis lethargica, which can alter character. The narrator returns home for lunch, where Dennis talks about Lettice Protheroe's worry, and the narrator receives a note from Mrs. Lestrange requesting a visit.
Chapter 17
XV
The narrator visits Mrs. Lestrange, who seeks his advice about her peculiar position. Inspector Slack arrives to question her about her alibi for the time of Colonel Protheroe's murder and her visit to him the night before his death. Mrs. Lestrange remains calm and evasive, refusing to disclose the nature of her interview with Protheroe. Later, the narrator speaks with Mr. Hawes, who shows a morbid interest in the case and presses him about the possibility of Archer being the murderer.
Chapter 18
XVI
The narrator and Lawrence Redding visit Miss Marple to inquire about any overlooked details from the afternoon of the murder. Miss Marple confirms no one passed along the lane while Lawrence and Anne were in the studio, but mentions Dr. Stone and Miss Cram went into the woods. Lawrence and the narrator separately search the woods for signs of the murderer's approach to the Vicarage. Later, Inspector Slack questions the narrator about Mrs. Lestrange, suggesting blackmail, and interviews the chauffeur Manning about the Protheroes' movements.
Chapter 19
XVII
Inspector Slack reveals that the telephone call to the vicar was traced to the empty North Lodge of Old Hall, and the call to Mrs. Price Ridley was traced to Lawrence Redding's cottage. He suspects Mrs. Lestrange of blackmail and murder, but the vicar doubts her capacity for blackmail. Miss Marple summons the vicar to report that she saw Gladys Cram entering the wood with a suitcase at midnight, returning without it.
Chapter 20
XVIII
The inquest into Colonel Protheroe's murder is held at the Blue Boar. Lawrence Redding and Anne Protheroe give evidence, and the pistol is identified by Mrs. Archer. The coroner's verdict is murder by person or persons unknown. Afterward, the narrator accompanies Dr. Stone to the station, where he departs for London, and they discuss the case and Lawrence Redding's character.
Chapter 21
XIX
Lawrence Redding recounts to the Vicar his interview with the parlourmaid Rose and the kitchenmaid Gladys at Old Hall. Gladys reveals overhearing a heated argument between Colonel Protheroe and Mrs. Lestrange the night before the murder, including Protheroe's refusal and Mrs. Lestrange's ominous threat: 'By this time tomorrow night, you may be dead.' The Vicar reflects on Mrs. Lestrange's charm and the possibility of her guilt.
Chapter 22
XX
The narrator returns to the Vicarage to find a domestic crisis: their maid Mary has given notice after being insulted by Lettice Protheroe, who criticized her dusting. The narrator persuades Mary to stay. Later, in his study, he finds a blue lapis lazuli earring, which he recognizes.
Chapter 23
XXI
The vicar and his guests discuss the murder over dinner. Raymond West jokingly suggests the vicar as the murderer, but Miss Marple reveals that the man posing as Dr. Stone is an impostor, adding another peculiar clue to the case.
Chapter 24
XXII
Anne Protheroe shows the vicar a newspaper article that exaggerates her words about hunting down her husband's murderer. Later, she reveals a savagely slashed portrait found in the attic, suggesting a fit of maniacal rage. The vicar and Griselda discuss lingering mysteries, and Dennis expresses hope the murderer is never caught. At Old Hall, Miss Cram is now staying as a secretary, and Lettice confesses to hiding an earring under Anne's desk out of jealousy, but also warns the vicar to send Dennis away.
Chapter 25
XXIII
The narrator and Miss Marple investigate the motive for Colonel Protheroe's murder, discovering that he had arranged for a valuation of his silver, which could have exposed Dr. Stone's theft. A suitcase containing the stolen silver is found, clearing Stone of murder but raising Miss Marple's doubts about the timing. The narrator later explores a trail in the woods, suspecting it was made by Stone or Miss Cram, and finds a disturbed clearing.
Chapter 26
XXIV
The narrator returns to the Vicarage to find Hawes in a nervous state, asking him to preach in his place. Hawes takes a headache powder and questions the narrator about events at Old Hall, expressing unease about Lawrence Redding's visit. Later, the narrator receives four notes from parishioners—Mrs. Price Ridley, Miss Wetherby, Miss Hartnell, and an anonymous letter accusing Griselda of an affair with Redding. Griselda intercepts the anonymous letter, reads it, and then confesses to the narrator that she had been in love with Lawrence Redding before meeting him.
Chapter 27
XXV
The narrator visits the police station and learns that Inspector Slack has brought Miss Cram in for questioning about the suitcase found in the woods. Miss Cram denies everything and refuses to explain without a solicitor. Slack reveals that Archer is also under suspicion but has an alibi. The narrator then visits Mrs. Price Ridley, who complains about a tennis racquet left without a press and mentions hearing a sneeze. Later, he visits Dr. Haydock, who admits he has been shielding Mrs. Lestrange because she is dying. The narrator also calls on Miss Hartnell, who claims Mrs. Lestrange was not at home when she called, and on Miss Wetherby, who hints at gossip about a certain lady.
Chapter 28
XXVI
The narrator preaches an unusually emotional sermon that stirs the congregation. Later, Miss Marple visits to discuss the murder case, presenting three alternative theories about Colonel Protheroe's whereabouts at 6:20 and the significance of the note.
Chapter 29
XXVII
The Vicar returns home alone, and Colonel Melchett visits with news that Protheroe's unfinished letter is a forgery. The Vicar recalls that Miss Marple had suspected as much. A mysterious telephone call comes in, with a voice hysterically confessing to the murder, but the call is cut off. The Vicar thinks he recognizes the voice and goes out to investigate.
Chapter 30
XXVIII
The Vicar visits Hawes late on Sunday night, finds him asleep with an empty cachet box and a crumpled confession letter, and discovers an anonymous letter identical to the one received earlier. He telephones Melchett, who has traced the call, and asks him to come to Hawes's lodging.
Chapter 31
XXIX
The Vicar finds Hawes unconscious from an overdose, with Protheroe's unfinished letter revealing Hawes as the embezzler. Melchett arrives and calls Dr. Haydock, who takes Hawes to the hospital. Miss Marple appears, having overheard the telephone call, and insists that the evidence is a setup by the real murderer, Lawrence Redding.
Chapter 32
Miss Marple's Revelation
Miss Marple reveals her theory that Lawrence Redding and Anne Protheroe conspired to murder Colonel Protheroe, with Anne firing the shot using a silencer and Lawrence orchestrating an alibi and a fake shot in the woods. She explains how Lawrence's actions, including his false confession and manipulation of evidence, were designed to mislead the investigation. Colonel Melchett and the vicar are convinced by her logic but note the lack of proof, leading Miss Marple to suggest a trap.
Chapter 33
XXXI
Miss Marple proposes a trap to catch Lawrence Redding by having Dr. Haydock hint that someone witnessed the transposing of the cachets. Colonel Melchett and the Vicar agree to the plan. Dr. Haydock, initially reluctant, becomes enraged upon learning of the assault on Hawes and eagerly participates. Miss Marple reflects on the wisdom of the old over the young.
Chapter 34
XXXII
Miss Marple's plan succeeds as Lawrence Redding is caught attempting to communicate with Anne Protheroe, confirming their guilt. Lettice reveals that Mrs. Lestrange is her dying mother and explains her actions. The narrator and Griselda share a tender moment, and Miss Marple discreetly hints she knows Griselda's secret.
Chapter 35
List of Illustrations
This chapter provides a list of illustrative maps included in the book: a sketch of the Vicarage and its walled garden, a map of the Vicar's study, and a map of St. Mary Mead.
