57 pages 1 hour read

Agatha Christie

A Pocket Full of Rye

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1953

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

A Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie follows Miss Marple as she investigates the murder of businessman Rex Fortescue, who dies with grains of rye in his pocket. He was poisoned at his family home, leading to a complex web of investigations involving his family and staff. The case involves multiple murders, an old nursery rhyme, and an eventual revelation of deeper motives and family secrets. The book discusses period-typical stigmatization of sexually transmitted infections and dementia, murder, and suicide.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Agatha Christie's A Pocket Full of Rye masterfully delivers a compelling mystery, weaving a nursery rhyme into a twisted plot. Reviewers praise Christie's intricate storytelling and memorable characters, particularly Miss Marple. However, some find the pacing uneven and the resolution predictable. Overall, it remains a classic for mystery enthusiasts.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Pocket Full of Rye?

A reader who enjoys A Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie likely appreciates classic whodunits with intricate plots and unexpected twists. Fans of Christie's other works like Murder on the Orient Express or Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series will find this mystery enthralling due to its clever narrative and well-developed characters.

RecommendedReading Age

16+years

Lexile Level

690L

Book Details

Genre

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

British Literature

Themes

Identity: Gender

Relationships: Family

Values/Ideas: Power & Greed