My Favorite Pussy

The word pussy has been bandied about lately. I prefer the definition of pussy that refers to an old cat, cunning, clever, and seemingly benign. My favorite pussy is none other than Jane Marple, heroine of Agatha Christie.

I did finish They Do It With Mirrors  starring Miss Marple yesterday (#27), but these descriptions of Miss Marple come from A Murder is Announced. 

Sir Henry Clithering, ex-commissioner of Scotland Yard describes Miss Marple as, "She's just the finest detective God ever made. Natural genius cultivated in a suitable soil."... "In case this turns out to be a high powered mystery, which I don't suppose for a moment it will, remember that an elderly unmarried woman who knits and gardens is streets ahead of any detective sergeant. She can tell you what might have happened and what ought to have happened and even what actually did  happen! And she can tell you why it happened."

Later, the Police receive a letter from an old lady claiming to have some information related to the case that may be useful. The old lady proves to be Miss Marple.

"George, it's my own particular, one and only, four starred Pussy. The super Pussy of all old Pussies. And she has managed somehow to be at Medenhan Wells, instead of peacefully at home in St. Mary Mead, just at the right time to be mixed up in  a murder. Once more a murder is announced--for the benefit and enjoyment of Miss Marple."