Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Sleeping Murder summary
Brief summary
Sleeping Murder is a gripping mystery novel by Agatha Christie. It follows the story of a young woman, Gwenda, who experiences strange visions in her new home and becomes determined to uncover the truth behind the unsolved murder that seems to haunt her.
Topics
Table of Contents
Sleeping Murder
Summary of key ideas
Uncovering Dark Secrets
In Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie, Gwenda Reed, a young woman newly arrived in England, purchases a house called Hillside. She soon starts experiencing strange memories and visions of the house's past, which she can't explain. With the help of her husband, Giles, they decide to investigate further.
During their exploration, Gwenda and Giles meet Miss Marple, a sharp old lady who has an uncanny ability to solve mysteries. Miss Marple takes an interest in Gwenda's case and begins her own investigation. She discovers that Gwenda had lived in Hillside as a child, and the memories she's been experiencing are from her early life.
Unraveling the Past
Miss Marple and the Reeds delve into the history of Hillside. They learn that the previous owner, Helen Halliday, was murdered by her husband, Dr. Halliday, who was having an affair with her friend, a woman named Lavinia. The murder was committed in the room Gwenda had been experiencing visions of, explaining her unease.
They also find out that Gwenda witnessed the murder as a child but repressed the memory. To protect her, her parents sent her away and changed their surname to Reed. Dr. Halliday was never convicted of the crime and died a few years after his wife's death, while Lavinia went on to marry another man.
Connecting the Dots
Miss Marple realizes that Gwenda's memories are resurfacing because of the house's resemblance to Hillside and the things she's seen there. She also concludes that Lavinia, now Mrs. Curren, is planning to murder her new husband, Conway Jefferson, for his money. Mrs. Curren is the one who sold Hillside to Gwenda, knowing about the girl's connection to the house.
Miss Marple and the Reeds rush to prevent the murder, but they are too late. Mr. Jefferson is found dead, and Mrs. Curren claims he died of a heart attack. However, Miss Marple is convinced it was murder and starts to gather evidence to prove her theory.
Unmasking the Culprit
Miss Marple stages a fake séance with Mrs. Curren and subtly manipulates her into confessing. Mrs. Curren reveals that she had murdered Helen Halliday and tried to frame her husband, Dr. Halliday, for the crime. She also confesses to killing Mr. Jefferson for his inheritance, but she denies any involvement in Gwenda's visions.
Miss Marple, however, reveals the truth. She explains that Mrs. Curren had deliberately triggered Gwenda's memories by recreating the circumstances of Helen Halliday's murder. Mrs. Curren is arrested, and Gwenda is able to put her past to rest, knowing the truth about her memories.
Conclusion
In the end, Gwenda and Giles decide to sell Hillside and move on with their lives. Miss Marple, satisfied with solving another mystery, continues her work as a detective. Sleeping Murder is a captivating tale of repressed memories, dark secrets, and the unerring intuition of Miss Marple.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Sleeping Murder about?
Sleeping Murder is a gripping mystery novel by Agatha Christie. When a young woman named Gwenda moves into a new home, she starts experiencing strange and unsettling visions. With the help of the famous detective Miss Marple, Gwenda delves into her own past to uncover a long-buried secret. The book is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end.
Sleeping Murder Review
Sleeping Murder (1976) follows a young woman's journey to uncover the hidden truths behind a series of chilling events from her past to prevent a murderous prophecy. Here's why this book is worth picking up:
- Unraveling a tangled web of secrets and unexpected twists, the plot keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation.
- Agatha Christie's masterful storytelling and character development create a vivid backdrop, immersing readers in the mysterious atmosphere of the narrative.
- The suspenseful pacing and intricate clues throughout ensure that the book is anything but boring, captivating readers from start to finish.
Who should read Sleeping Murder?
Readers who enjoy classic mystery novels with a clever and unexpected twist
Agatha Christie fans looking for another captivating whodunit featuring Miss Marple
People who appreciate a well-crafted plot with intricate clues and red herrings
Categories with Sleeping Murder
Book summaries like Sleeping Murder
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Sleeping Murder FAQs
What is the main message of Sleeping Murder?
The main message of Sleeping Murder revolves around uncovering hidden secrets from the past.
How long does it take to read Sleeping Murder?
Reading Sleeping Murder takes a few hours, with the Blinkist summary taking around 15 minutes.
Is Sleeping Murder a good book? Is it worth reading?
Sleeping Murder is a captivating mystery that keeps readers engaged with its thrilling suspense. A definite must-read!
Who is the author of Sleeping Murder?
Agatha Christie is the author of Sleeping Murder.
What to read after Sleeping Murder?
If you're wondering what to read next after Sleeping Murder, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
- Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, Judith L. Raiskin
- Just After Sunset by Stephen King
- Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri
- Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye
- Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nunzio DeFilippis
- Side Jobs by Jim Butcher