"The Corpse in the Library" by Agatha Christie, summary Automatic translate

The novel begins in the quiet English village of St. Mary Mead, in the Gossington Hall estate, owned by Colonel Arthur Bantry and his wife Dolly. One morning, their measured life is disrupted by a shocking event - the maid Mary discovers the body of an unknown young woman in the library. This incident baffles both the owners of the house and the local police, launching a chain of investigation full of unexpected turns and hidden motives.

Morning at Gossington Hall

Mrs. Bantry is awakened by a strange message from her maid, Mary, who panics and claims to have found a corpse in the library. At first, Mrs. Bantry dismisses it as a dream or hallucination, but Mary’s persistence and the butler’s subsequent confirmation force her to wake her husband, Colonel Bantry. The Colonel reluctantly goes downstairs and is convinced of the truth of the servant’s words - there really is a young woman’s body lying on the carpet in front of the fireplace. He immediately contacts the police.

The arrival of the police and Miss Marple

Constable Palk takes a call from Colonel Bantry and reports the incident to Inspector Slack. Meanwhile, Mrs. Bantry, known for her love of detective mysteries, calls her friend, the elderly lady Miss Jane Marple, famous for her insight and ability to solve mysteries. Mrs. Bantry insists on Miss Marple’s immediate arrival, believing in her talent as a detective. Miss Marple arrives at Gossington Hall just before the police. Together with Mrs. Bantry, they examine the body.

The deceased is a young blonde woman, wearing a satin evening dress and heavy make-up. Her appearance seems out of place and provocative in the conservative setting of Bantry Library. Miss Marple notes several details: the girl’s young age, the poor quality of the expensive dress, and a slight resemblance to the daughter of a local woman known for her habit of biting her nails.

Official investigation begins

The county’s Chief Constable, Colonel Melchett, Inspector Slack and the coroner, Dr Haydock, arrive. Melchett, a friend of Colonel Bantry, takes the case personally because of its unusual nature. Colonel Bantry categorically denies knowing the victim. An examination of the scene reveals that the library window had been forced open with a chisel, probably by an amateur. Dr Haydock estimates the time of death as between ten o’clock in the evening and midnight the previous day. The cause of death is strangulation with a dress belt. The doctor also notes that the girl was about seventeen years old and a virgin.

The Basil Blake Version

Miss Marple and Mrs Bantry discuss the murdered woman’s possible connections. Miss Marple remembers Basil Blake, a young man connected with the film industry who lived nearby in a modern cottage and was known for his noisy parties with London guests. Blake often had a platinum blonde as a guest, and Miss Marple wonders if she is the murdered woman. Colonel Bantry also mentions Blake to Melchett, describing him as a dubious character. Melchett decides to visit Blake immediately.

A Visit to Basil Blake

Colonel Melchett arrives at Blake’s villa. The young man greets him with impudence and hostility. Melchett reports the murder of a young blonde nearby. Blake laughs at first, finding it amusing to find a corpse at the "boring Bantry." At that moment, his girlfriend, platinum blonde Dinah Lee, bursts into the villa, alive and well. She and Blake have a heated argument because he dumped her at a party. After making sure that Blake’s girlfriend is alive, Melchett leaves, annoyed by the young man’s behavior.

Victim ID: Ruby Keane

The police check missing persons records, but are initially unsuccessful. Soon a call comes in from Glenshire police: 18-year-old Ruby Keane, a professional dancer, has gone missing from the Majestic Hotel in the resort town of Danemouth. Her description – platinum blonde, slim, wearing a white satin dress – matches the murdered woman’s appearance. Danemouth is only 20 miles from St Mary Mead. Melchett sends DI Slack to Danemouth to investigate further and to coordinate with the local police, led by Chief Harper.

Josephine Turner’s Testimony

Inspector Slack quickly reaches Danemouth and brings Ruby’s cousin, Josephine Turner, who also works at the Majestic, to Much Benham. Josie identifies Ruby’s body. She explains that Ruby had been temporarily replacing her as her dancing partner and bridge table hostess while Josie was recovering from a leg injury. Ruby was pretty, but wore too much make-up and, in Josie’s opinion, lacked the sophistication to work in a fashionable hotel. Josie last saw Ruby at about half past ten in the evening, when she was dancing with a hotel guest, George Bartlett.

By midnight, Ruby has failed to appear for her second performance with partner Raymond Starr. Josie, furious at her cousin’s irresponsibility, dances with Raymond herself. She does not report the incident to the police, fearing a scandal and assuming that Ruby had simply gone on a spree. The report is made by an elderly hotel guest, Mr Conway Jefferson, who is very concerned about Ruby’s disappearance. Josie claims to have no knowledge of Ruby’s connections in St Mary Mead or of her connection with Bantry. Slack informs Melchett that Colonel Bantry dined at the Majestic last week. Melchett decides to take Josie to Gossington Hall.

Gossip in St Mary Mead

Meanwhile, in the village, rumours are spreading like wildfire. Local residents Miss Weatherby, Miss Hartnell and Mrs Price Ridley are actively discussing the murder, making guesses and suspecting Colonel Bantry and Basil Blake of being involved. Miss Marple’s presence at Gossington Hall also becomes the subject of gossip.

Josie at Gossington Hall

At Gossington Hall, Melchett introduces Josie to Mrs Bantry and Miss Marple. Josie examines the library, where the body was found, but can offer no explanation. Colonel Bantry arrives; Josie shows no sign of recognition when introduced to him, which allays some of Melchett’s suspicions. Josie repeats her story about Ruby’s disappearance. When the conversation turns to Conway Jefferson, Mrs Bantry recalls that he is an old friend. Josie describes the Jefferson family living with him: his sister-in-law Adelaide Jefferson, his brother-in-law Mark Gaskell, and Adelaide’s stepson Pete Carmody. Miss Marple notes a certain stiffness and dislike in Josie’s tone when she mentions Ruby and the Jefferson family.

Mrs Bantry’s Decision

After the police leave, Mrs Bantry and Miss Marple discuss Josie’s behaviour. Miss Marple comes to the conclusion that Josie did not love her cousin and that her death is rather an annoyance to her, perhaps connected with financial expectations. Mrs Bantry decides to go to Danemouth, stay at the Majestic, to sort out the situation herself and visit her old friend Conway Jefferson. She persuades Miss Marple to go with her. Mrs Bantry tells Jefferson’s tragic story: the loss of his wife, son and daughter in a plane crash, which left him a cripple without both legs. Miss Marple notes the significance of the fact that it was Jefferson who raised the alarm about Ruby’s disappearance.

Interrogation of the hotel director and Adelaide Jefferson

In Danemouth, Colonel Melchett and Chief Constable Harper question the director of the Majestic, Mr Prescott. He confirms that Ruby spent a lot of time with Conway Jefferson and his family. Jefferson, although an invalid, liked to surround himself with young people and was very kind to Ruby. The director believes that it was Jefferson who insisted on going to the police, fearing an accident.

The police then interview Adelaide Jefferson, Conway’s sister-in-law. She comes across as intelligent and reserved. Adelaide confirms that her father-in-law was very attached to Ruby and that her disappearance was a shock to him. She recounts the events of the evening of her disappearance: Ruby was with them, dancing, then leaving before her second performance. Adelaide denies that Ruby has any secrets or enemies that she knows of.

George Bartlett’s Testimony

George Bartlett, the young man who was the last to dance with Ruby, is next questioned. He is nervous and confused. Bartlett claims he danced with Ruby at about half past ten, that she seemed bored and went upstairs. He denies knowing of her plans or going out with her. Bartlett himself says he went for a walk in the fresh air after the dance, then went into the bar and returned to the dance hall at about midnight. His uncertainty and incoherence arouse Melchett’s suspicions.

Testimony of Pete Carmody and Mark Gaskell

Little Pete Carmody, Adelaide’s stepson, lies in wait for the police. He waxes lyrical about his love of detectives and says that his mother and Uncle Mark disliked Ruby and seem glad she is dead. He heard Mark say, "We’re rid of her at last." The police are called to Conway Jefferson. On the way they meet Mark Gaskell, Jefferson’s son-in-law. Gaskell warns them not to worry his father-in-law, citing his bad heart. Melchett dislikes Gaskell’s appearance and manner and thinks he is unprincipled.

Interview with Conway Jefferson: The Inheritance Motive

Conway Jefferson, despite his disability, comes across as a strong and intelligent man. He is open about his affection for Ruby, seeing her as an outlet for his family after losing them. Jefferson reveals his plan to adopt Ruby. When asked about his family’s reaction, he says that they were polite, although they may not have approved of his decision. Most importantly, Jefferson reveals that ten days ago he made a new will, according to which Ruby Keene was to receive fifty thousand pounds sterling upon his death. The remainder of the estate was to be divided equally between Mark Gaskell and Adelaide Jefferson (about ten thousand pounds between them). Jefferson earned this money himself after the death of his family, playing the stock exchange successfully. He claims that he did not know about the proximity of the Bantry estate and never heard Ruby mention it. Jefferson cannot name any suspects and is inclined to believe in a maniac. After the police leave, Jefferson immediately sends his valet Edward to fetch Sir Henry Clittering, a retired Commissioner of Scotland Yard.

The Disappearance of Bartlett’s Car and a New Find

Melchett and Harper discuss the motive for the fifty thousand pound inheritance. Although Mark and Adelaide have an alibi (playing bridge), their financial situation needs to be checked. Harper is inclined to believe that Ruby had a jealous admirer from her past. At this point, George Bartlett approaches them again and reports that his Minion 14 has disappeared from the hotel car park. He is not sure when exactly this happened. Soon, news arrives: a car similar to the Minion 14 has been found burnt out in a quarry three kilometers from Danemouth. A charred body has been found inside.

Inspection of Ruby’s room and interrogation of Raymond Starr

The police inspect Ruby Keene’s room. Its location at the end of a corridor with access to a side terrace would have made it easy for her to leave the hotel undetected. Letters from a friend are found in the room, mentioning colleagues from the ballroom, but nothing indicating a secret lover or threats. Inspector Slack suggests that Ruby was hiding her liaisons in order to pursue an adoption. Chief Constable Harper questions Raymond Starr, Ruby’s dance partner.

Raymond describes Ruby as simple but cunning. He claims he was unaware of the adoption plans, but suspects Josie was aware and may have facilitated them. Raymond confirms that Ruby kept her personal affairs to herself. He recounts the events of the evening of the disappearance, mentioning Josie’s concern about Jefferson’s reaction. Raymond also recalls Josie’s panicked assumption that Ruby had gone off with "that movie guy" (Basil Blake), although Raymond himself did not see Blake that evening.

Sir Henry Clittering and Miss Marple join forces

Sir Henry Clittering arrives at the Majestic at Jefferson’s request. Jefferson explains the case to him and asks him to conduct an unofficial investigation, citing his limited mobility. Sir Henry reluctantly agrees. As he walks down the hall, he recognises Miss Marple and recalls her past successes in solving crimes. He approaches her and shares the information he has received from Jefferson, asking for her advice.

Miss Marple analyses Jefferson’s psychological motives, comparing his attachment to Ruby with similar incidents in village life. She suggests that Ruby was hiding a lover, and that her death is to Mark and Adelaide’s advantage, and Josie’s annoyance at the thwarted plans. Miss Marple expresses concern for Bantry’s reputation and insists on the need to uncover the truth, believing that the planting of the body was part of a well-thought-out but thwarted plan.

Conversation on the terrace

Mrs Bantry introduces Sir Henry and Miss Marple to Adelaide Jefferson and Mark Gaskell. They gather on the terrace. Mark Gaskell is frank about his dislike of Ruby, calling her a "sly little thing", and admits that her death is to his and Adelaide’s advantage, although he regrets the blow it has dealt Jefferson. He describes Ruby’s appearance as "fox-like", but seductive when made up, with beautiful blue eyes and platinum hair similar to that of his late wife Rosamund. Adelaide tries to soften Mark’s harshness. At this point, Hugo McLean, an old admirer of Adelaide’s, appears, apparently summoned by her. Mark is called to see Jefferson. After he has gone, Sir Henry and Miss Marple compare notes: Adelaide is a loving mother, Mark is charming but imprudent and potentially unscrupulous. Miss Marple notices Raymond Starr passing by and mentions that Adelaide plays tennis with him. Pete Carmody appears, continuing to question Sir Henry about the investigation.

Burnt car and new body

While interviews continued at the Majestic Hotel, the investigation took a new turn with the discovery of a burnt-out Minion 14 in a quarry near Danemouth. Inside was a charred body. Sergeant Higgins was able to establish from the engine’s manufacturer’s mark that the car belonged to George Bartlett, who had previously reported it missing. The condition of the body made it impossible to identify the deceased. However, a handbag was found near the car containing an identity card in the name of Pamela Reeves, a 16-year-old Girl Scout who had disappeared the previous evening. Pamela’s parents confirmed that the handbag belonged to their daughter. The question arose: were the two murders connected?

Miss Marple’s Investigation in St Mary Mead

Miss Marple, concerned about Bantry, returned to St Mary Mead to continue her unofficial investigation. She decided to talk to Florence Bland, a friend of the deceased Pamela Reeves. Florence said that Pamela had been very agitated the day before her disappearance. She had boasted that a gentleman connected with the Lenville Film Studios had spotted her and promised to arrange a screen test. Pamela described him as having long hair and mentioned that he lived in a modern cottage nearby. The description clearly pointed to Basil Blake. Pamela was planning to meet him late that evening after a scout meeting. This information strengthened Miss Marple’s suspicions about Blake.

Basil Blake’s Confession

Miss Marple visited Basil Blake again. This time the young man was less free and seemed depressed. Under pressure from Miss Marple and her insightful remarks, Blake broke down and told his version of events. Late at night, Pamela Reeves, who dreamed of a film career, really did come to him. Blake, drunk and irritated by her naivety, pushed the girl away. She fell, hit her head on the grate and died. Fearing the consequences, Blake decided to get rid of the body.

Remembering the many detective novels where corpses are often found in libraries, he decided to dump Pamela’s body at Gossington Hall, to "Bantry the Boring". He dressed Pamela in an old evening dress of his friend Dinah Lee to make the scene more "theatrical", and carried the body into Bantry Library through a window.

Confusion with bodies

The police were baffled when Blake confessed. Blake claimed to have moved the body of Pamela Reeves, a Girl Scout. However, the body of Ruby Keene, a dancer, was found in Bantry Library. Moreover, Blake added another shocking detail: when he returned home from a party earlier that night (around 2am), he found the body of an unknown blonde - Ruby Keene - on the rug in front of the fireplace. He panicked even more, hid Ruby’s body behind the rug, and when he accidentally killed Pamela later that night (around 3-4am), he decided to dump her body in Bantry. Inspector Slack and Colonel Melchett realized that Blake was either confused or hiding something.

Dr Haydock’s time of death for Ruby Keene (between 10pm and midnight) did not match Blake’s account of finding her body around 2am. It was obvious that the body in the library was Ruby Keene, and that Blake, in a drunken panic, had moved Pamela Reeves’ body, but it was Ruby that the police found. Where then was Pamela’s body? The answer was obvious - in the burnt-out car. But who killed Ruby Keene and Pamela Reeves? And who placed Ruby’s body in Blake’s house?

Miss Marple’s deduction

Miss Marple and Sir Henry Clittering met again at the Majestic Hotel. Miss Marple, having put together all the facts, observations and her country analogies, gave Sir Henry her version of events, which turned out to be the only correct one. She drew attention to several key points:

• The striking appearance of the murdered Ruby: Bright makeup, platinum hair, flashy outfit - it all seemed excessive and artificial.
• Nail-biting habit: When Miss Marple first examined the body, she noticed the dead girl’s bitten nails. Later, when identifying the body, Josie Turner confirmed that it was Ruby, but denied to the police that Ruby had such a habit. However, this habit was typical of Pamela Reeves, which the whole village knew about. This discrepancy became key. Blake, having found the second body (Pamela’s) and moving it to Bantry library, did not pay attention to the details of appearance in his state. The body found in the library was indeed the body of Ruby Keene, but the detail about the bitten nails referred to Pamela, whom Blake mistook for Ruby (or simply panicked).
• Financial motive: Conway Jefferson’s plan to adopt Ruby and leave her £50,000 provided a powerful motive for murder. The money would disinherit Mark Gaskell and Adelaide Jefferson, and would also ruin the plans of Josie Turner, who was likely counting on a share of her cousin’s inheritance.
• Relationship between Mark and Josie: Miss Marple noticed a hidden connection and common interests between Mark Gaskell and Josie Turner. She assumed that they were lovers and planned to marry after Conway Jefferson died and inherited his fortune. Ruby’s adoption ruined their plans.
• Alibi: Mark and Adelaide’s alibi (a game of bridge) seemed foolproof, but Miss Marple suspected that it might be part of a deliberate plan.

Crime reconstruction

Miss Marple recounted the sequence of events:

1. Murder of Ruby Keene: At about half past ten in the evening, Josie, having access to her cousin’s room, slipped a sleeping draught into her drink. When Ruby fell asleep, Mark Gaskell entered her room (which had a convenient exit to the side terrace) and strangled her with a belt from her dress. This occurred before midnight, which coincides with the conclusion of Dr. Haydock.
2. Transporting the body: Mark and Josie hid Ruby’s body. Later that night, Mark stole George Bartlett’s car. He and Josie loaded the body into the car and drove towards St Mary Mead. Their plan was to plant the body at the home of Basil Blake, a notorious party host, thereby deflecting suspicion from themselves.
3. Unexpected Obstacle: When they arrived at Blake’s cottage, they saw him returning home from a party with Dinah Lee. Mark and Josie had to quickly hide Ruby’s body on the porch, under a rug or behind bushes, and hide themselves. Blake, being very drunk, did not notice the body and entered the house.
4. Body on the Carpet: Later, when Blake had left again (or fallen asleep), Mark returned, carried Ruby’s body into Blake’s house and left it on the carpet in front of the fireplace, hoping that Blake would find it in the morning and become the prime suspect.
5. Murder of Pamela Reeves: Mark drove to the quarry to get rid of Bartlett’s car. He doused the car with gasoline and set it on fire. At this point, Pamela Reeves, who was returning home from a scout meeting, accidentally saw him. Recognizing Mark (she may have seen him earlier at the hotel or the surrounding area), she became a dangerous witness. Mark caught up with her, killed her (probably by a blow to the head or strangulation), and decided to dispose of her body.
6. Blake’s Second Body: Mark brought Pamela’s body to Blake’s cottage. Knowing that Blake was missing again or sleeping drunk, he brought Pamela’s body into the house and left it where he had previously left Ruby, possibly faking an accident (falling and hitting his head).
7. Blake’s Panic: Returning home in the early morning, Blake discovered Pamela’s body. In a panic and drunken stupor, perhaps not having seen her clearly or having confused the blondes, he decided that this was the same girl he had found earlier (Ruby), or simply decided to get rid of the body to avoid being accused of murder. He changed Pamela’s clothes and moved her body to Bantry Library.
8. False Identification: Josie, knowing that the body in the library was Ruby, positively identified her, but deliberately misled the police about her nail-biting habit to hide her connection to Pamela and divert suspicion from Mark.

Denouement

Sir Henry Clittering, impressed by Miss Marple’s logic and insight, relayed her findings to Conway Jefferson. Jefferson recalled that Mark and Josie had indeed recently asked his blessing to marry after his death, confirming their connection and motive. Sir Henry and the police brought charges against Mark Gaskell and Josephine Turner.

Faced with irrefutable evidence and Miss Marple’s logic, Josie confessed everything. Mark tried to escape but was apprehended. Colonel and Mrs. Bantry’s reputation was completely restored. Conway Jefferson, having suffered another blow of fate, decided to take care of the future of Adelaide and her son Pete.