# XVII explained — The Murder at the Vicarage

> Chapter companion for The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Secrets

The traced telephone calls and Miss Marple's observation of Gladys Cram's midnight errand highlight hidden activities and deceptive alibis.

### Appearance vs. Reality

The vicar's perception of Mrs. Lestrange as a lady contrasts with Inspector Slack's view of her as a potential blackmailer and murderer.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

The vicar receives Inspector Slack's updates and visits Miss Marple.

### Inspector Slack

Shares his findings about the telephone calls and his suspicion of Mrs. Lestrange.

### Miss Marple

Summons the vicar to report seeing Gladys Cram with a suitcase at midnight.

### Griselda

Delivers Miss Marple's note to the vicar and mentions her dislike of old women.

### Mrs. Lestrange

Inspector Slack suspects her of blackmail and murder, but the vicar doubts she is a blackmailer.

### Miss Cram

Miss Marple saw her entering the wood with a suitcase at midnight.

## Key lines

> Curiously enough, I could believe Mrs. Lestrange guilty of murder much more easily that I could believe her capable of blackmail.

The vicar finds it easier to imagine Mrs. Lestrange committing murder than engaging in blackmail.

_Reflects the vicar's personal judgment of Mrs. Lestrange's character._

> Got it... That’s the point of the telephone call. Kind of alibi.

Inspector Slack realizes the telephone call was designed to create an alibi for the murderer.

_Key insight linking the telephone call to the murder plot._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters