Miss Marple: The Moving Finger

When the seemingly innocent vicar of a small village, Mr. Gulliver, receives a series of increasingly malicious letters accusing him and others of various wrongdoings, his life and the village's peace are thrown into turmoil. The letters, delivered anonymously, create suspicion and fear among the residents. Elderly spinster Jane Marple, a resident of the village, is drawn into the mystery, using her sharp intellect and keen observation to unravel the truth behind the poison-pen campaign and unmask the perpetrator before further damage is done.

Joan Hickson's portrayal of Miss Marple in this adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel was widely praised for its faithfulness to the character and its subtle charm. The production was noted for its atmospheric depiction of village life and its effective building of suspense, becoming a popular installment in the acclaimed BBC series.

• Joan Hickson is a definitive Miss Marple, embodying the character's quiet intelligence.

• The adaptation successfully captures the cozy yet sinister atmosphere of Agatha Christie's mysteries.

• The mystery is engaging, with a satisfyingly clever resolution.

Google audience: Audience reception for this specific broadcast is not widely available, but general sentiment for the Joan Hickson Miss Marple series highlights appreciation for its traditional approach to the mysteries and faithful character portrayals.

Joan Hickson, who starred as Miss Marple in this 1985 adaptation and throughout the BBC series, was a personal recommendation from Agatha Christie herself for the role of the elderly sleuth in a 1946 production of 'Appointment with Death'.