This is my fourth read of the book (but after a long, long time). I always marvel at how well her works appear during rereads. If the first time makes it seem like the solution came out of nowhere, the subsequent reads show that's not the case. There isn't a twist for twist's sake or a shocker. The hints are scattered well and good throughout the book. Of course, there's some information we don't know but that doesn't put us at a disadvantage as first appears.

Since I remembered the major portions of the book, I was in a position to appreciate her plotting and the seamless blend of truth with red herrings. Human psychology, failings, emotions, prejudices, opinions, instincts, feelings, etc., are used to create what seem to be stereotypical and even caricatures. It's not always that an author can make the reader show interest in characters with little or no depth.

The time period and setting add to the authenticity, and at this point, we need to remember that people were prejudiced against foreigners and refugees. War widows didn't always fare better either. The book shows how things were back then. Measuring the book against today's definitions and expectations is meaningless. The book doesn't belong to this society, though if you really cut across it, you will notice that similarities exist.

The detailed explanation at the end *is* lengthy but then that's how mysteries go. Miss Marple relies more on the information revealed to her rather than comparisons with people from St. Mary Mead but there's some of it to form the basis of her 'investigations'.

A Murder is Announced isn't her best work but a good read and an even better reread.