I should have guessed the ending of The Secret of the Chimneys, the latest Miss Marple episode on PBS on Sunday, June 20, but I so enjoyed going along for the ride that I deliberately missed the cues until the very end. The mysterious County Ludwig Von Stainach wishes to purchase The Chimneys, a house that has seen better days. Assembled at the mansion are a motley sort, even for a Miss Marple mystery. Once again things go bump in the night and someone is murdered.
Enter Finch, Chief Inspector from Scotland Yard. Played by the divine Stephen Dillane, who portrayed Schmidt in God on Trial and Thomas Jefferson in John Adams. Finch is a particularly refreshing official, for he respects Miss Marple’s detective skills and consults her as they both, well, she solves the mystery.
I won’t spoil the plot for you other than to say that this was one of the more satisfying Miss Marple mysteries that I have watched. If you missed the episode, or would like to see it again, PBS will show it online from June 21 to July 4th.
Jane Austen's World 
Vic,
Correct me if I’m wrong, but the original Christie novel did not have Miss Marple in it, did it?
How does this latest series of Marples compare to the great ones starring Joan Hickson?
Arnie, Not as far as I recall. However, her presence works well in this adaptation, which at 90 minutes I found a bit short.
Many people still prefer Joan Hickson. Julia McKenzie has grown on me. I had always envisioned Miss Marple to look like her, so it was an easy transition for me.
Arnie is right, as it has been usual since ITV is producing this series, this is not one of the Marple novels nor a Marple short story. I had already mentioned to Laurel Ann at Austenprose when she commented the previous episode (The Mirror Crak’d from Side to Side).
“The Secret of Chimneys (1925) belongs to one of the less known detectives, Superintendent Battle (who is not even mentioned in the cast of this new adaptation). The novel has a sequel: The Seven Dials Mystery (1929), which is my favourite Christie, so it makes me suspect ITV is going to mess with it in the future :(.”
The novel is not one of the best Christie’s but still it introduces some memorable characters, like Bundle, so that is why this adaptation is a disappointment for me.
Addendum – At IMDB “rabyhook” has posted a review pointing out how the characters have been altered beyond recognition, not only the main couple, but also several of the characters that re-appear at Seven Dials, not only Bundle, but her father, Bill, Lomax (aka Codders), etc.
As to Arnie’s question regarding how this series (by ITV) compares to the BBC’s with Joan Hickson, well, they have altered both original Marple plots and as you see adapted as Marple’s some where Miss Marple do not appear. Unfaithfulness to the original source is the main complaint people has made since the series started (with Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple), but maybe since I believe you are not interested in that, you might like it as they have added ‘subtext’ which is not even in the text. But I prefer Julia McKenzie over McEwan, still Joan Hickson is the best IMO.
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I’m glad I stumbled upon your blog while trying to figure out where the latest Miss Marple (Chimneys) was filmed. Anyone know?
Regardless of whether I get an answer, I am adding your blog to my favorites list!
The location is Hatfield House – I recognised it immediately having grown up in the town and having visited it frequently as a child – all those lovely interiors and furnishings. Plus a wonderful old 13th century Parish Church is nearby and I think also featured in the episode. Notwithstanding that IMDB give the location as Knebworth, this is incorrect. HH is a wonderful house, still in the Cecil family since Tudor times and visited by both Samuel Pepys and Charles Dickens. More at:
http://www.hatfield-house.co.uk/
I really enjoyed this film, and like you was so wrapped up in the characters and story that the “reveal” caught me somewhat by surprise too! Definitely one of McKenzie’s best – I look forward to viewing it on DVD since there are probably 8-10 minutes that will be restored to the film then…
Hi all, I had added an addendum, which did not save. Cinthia explains the development of the plot (or the movement away from the plot) very well. Thank you, Cinthia!
I enjoy Julia’s interpretation of Miss Marple, simply because physically she most fits my mental image of the sleuth. I enjoyed this episode for what it was – nothing more – since I had not read Agatha’s original mystery novel!
Thank you, Joan! The setting looked to me like Hatfield House, especially the garden scene near the fountain and the scenes in the hall. I spent a day there last June but there are so many incredible English houses and gardens, I wasn’t absolutely sure.
Hy there, verry good post i really enjoy it reading.Good film indeed.