The Body in the Library

Synopsis

Collins brings the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, to English language learners.

Agatha Christie is the most widely published author of all time and in any language. Now
Collins has adapted her famous detective novels for English language learners. These readers have been carefully adapted using the Collins COBUILD grading scheme to ensure that the language is at the correct level for an intermediate learner. This book is Level 3 in the Collins ELT Readers series. Level 3 is equivalent to CEF level B1 with a word count of 11,000 - 20,000 words.

Each book includes:
 Full reading of the adapted version available for free online
 Helpful notes on characters
 Cultural and historical notes relevant to the plot
 A glossary of the more difficult words
 Free online resources for students and teachers at
www.collinselt.com/readers

The plot:
Colonel Bantry and his wife Dolly live in a grand old house outside a small village. Nothing ever happens there.
Imagine their surprise when one morning they are woken by their maid who tells them that the body of a girl has been found in their study. Who is she? And how did she end up on their rug?
Dolly asks her friend Miss Marple to help discover the truth - can she help explain this mystery and clear Colonel Bantry's name?

About Collins ELT Readers

Collins ELT Readers are divided into 7 levels:
Level 1 - elementary (A2)
Level 2 - pre-intermediate (A2-B1)
Level 3 - intermediate (B1)
Level 4 - upper- intermediate (B2)
Level 5 - upper-intermediate+(B2+)
Level 6 - advanced (C1)
Level 7 - advanced + (C2)

Each level is carefully graded to ensure that the learner both enjoys and benefits from their reading experience.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Body in the Library

Miss Marple, the elderly and astute sleuth, receives a phone call from Dolly Bantry, her friend. Dolly informs her that a young woman's body has been discovered in the library of Colonel Bantry and his wife, in the village of St. Mary Mead. The victim, identified as Ruby Keene, is a semi-professional dancer who has no known connection to the Bantrys or their social circle.

Chapter 2: The Curious Case

Miss Marple arrives at St. Mary Mead and begins her investigation. She notices peculiar discrepancies in the victim's clothing and appearance, suggesting that she was not dressed at the time of death. Moreover, Ruby Keene's identification is questionable, and there are indications that she may have been involved in a love affair.

Chapter 3: The Vicious Triangle

As Miss Marple digs deeper, she discovers a love triangle involving Ruby Keene, the wealthy playboy Conway Jefferson, and his fiancée, Pamela Reeves. Jefferson's alibi for the time of the murder is shaky, and Pamela Reeves displays suspicious behavior.

Chapter 4: The Mysterious Dance

Miss Marple focuses on Ruby Keene's dance troupe and their recent performance in St. Mary Mead. She interviews members of the troupe, including Dane Calthrop, a handsome young man who seems to have had a close relationship with the victim.

Chapter 5: The Secret Rendezvous

Miss Marple investigates a rendezvous between Ruby Keene and an unknown man. She suspects that this meeting may hold the key to the murder. Witnesses provide conflicting accounts, further obscuring the truth.

Chapter 6: The Hidden Motive

As Miss Marple pieces together the puzzle, she uncovers a hidden motive for the murder. She suspects that one of the characters in the Bantrys' social circle harbored a deep resentment towards Ruby Keene.

Chapter 7: The Final Solution

Miss Marple confronts the killer, a respected member of St. Mary Mead society. The killer reveals that Ruby Keene was blackmailing them, threatening to expose a long-held secret that would have ruined their reputation and life. In a fit of desperation, they silenced the victim.

Chapter 8: The Epilogue

The true identity of Ruby Keene is finally revealed, confirming Miss Marple's suspicions about her involvement in a fraudulent identity scheme. With the case closed and justice served, Miss Marple returns to her peaceful life in St. Mary Mead.

Real-Life Example:

The murder of Marion Parker in 1927 bears striking similarities to the plot of "The Body in the Library." Parker's body was discovered in a library in Worthing, England, and the circumstances of her death were shrouded in mystery. The case remains unsolved, but Agatha Christie's novel explores the complexities of human nature and the lengths to which individuals will go to protect their secrets.