Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot?

Do you have a favourite? Earlier we told you about the influence and inspiration for Hercule Poirot. He was inspired by a retired, Belgian Detective who Agatha met in Torquay.

The Miss Marple stories are believed to be based upon Agatha Christie’s own Grandmother. While Agatha was asked about this and said she was not a real picture of her Grandmother, Agatha did say they had something in common. She was described as a cheerful person who expected the worst of everyone and everything and with almost frightening accuracy, usually proved right!

There are just twelve Miss Marple stories and the first of these was Murder at the Vicarage. The setting for the book, Gossington Hall, was based upon the lovely little village of Cockington, on the edge of Torquay in Devon. It is a quaint little village with pretty thatched cottages, a pub and some wonderful tea rooms. In the Miss Marple stories it is known as St Marymead and even these names can be found here in Torquay.

A truly English village where you can imagine Miss Marple tending her roses in her garden and watching everyone go by! Miss Marple liked to meet with her close friends for Tea and Scandal at 4.30pm. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if many of the villagers do this to this day…

Did you know the name Marple comes from the village of Marple in Cheshire? Agatha’s sister lived in nearby Abney Hall and Agatha would travel by train to Marple station to visit her sister there.