# XXVII explained — The Murder at the Vicarage

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Secrets

The revelation that Protheroe's letter is a forgery deepens the mystery and underscores the theme of hidden truths.

### Appearance vs. Reality

What appeared to be Protheroe's own writing is now proven false, challenging initial assumptions about the crime.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

Returns home alone, receives Melchett, learns of the forgery, and answers the mysterious phone call.

### Colonel Melchett

Visits the Vicarage, shares the news that Protheroe's letter is a forgery, and tries to trace the telephone call.

### Miss Marple

Mentioned as having earlier said the note was 'all wrong,' which now proves prescient.

### Colonel Protheroe

The victim; his unfinished letter is revealed to be a forgery.

### Anne Protheroe

Mentioned as having remarked at the time that the handwriting was not like her husband's.

## Key lines

> I've got one bit of news for you, Clement. Most astounding thing you've ever heard. But let that go for the minute. How are things going down here? Any more old ladies hot on the scent?

Melchett teases that he has startling news but first asks how the investigation is progressing, sarcastically referring to the elderly women sleuths.

_Melchett's casual tone contrasts with the gravity of the forgery revelation._

> Confound the woman, she couldn't know more about it if she had committed the murder herself.

Melchett expresses frustration that Miss Marple's intuition about the letter seems almost too accurate.

_Highlights Miss Marple's uncanny insight and Melchett's irritation._

> I want to confess. My God, I want to confess.

An unidentified caller hysterically declares a desire to confess to the murder.

_The call is cut off, adding suspense and a new twist to the investigation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xxvii
- 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