Nemesis (Christie novel)
Nemesis is a detective novel by Agatha Christie, published in 1971. It features Miss Marple and was the last Miss Marple book Christie wrote. The story begins when Jason Rafiel, a millionaire Marple previously helped, dies and leaves her a mysterious task: solve an unspecified crime to inherit £20,000, with only a few clues.
Miss Marple joins a guided tour of famous British houses and gardens with fifteen other people, arranged by Rafiel before his death. Among the tour group are Verity Hunt, Rafiel’s son Michael’s former fiancée; Lavinia Glynne and her sisters Clotilde and Anthea Bradbury-Scott; and Miss Temple, a retired headmistress who has become a friend to Marple. As the days pass, Verity’s past and Rafiel’s family history begin to connect to present danger. Miss Temple dies after asking Marple to “find out about Verity,” and Clotilde’s quiet, respectable outward appearance hides a darker truth.
Miss Marple learns that Verity had joined the Bradbury-Scott sisters after leaving Michael Rafiel, and that Verity is dead. She discovers that Clotilde Bradbury-Scott killed Verity because of a fierce, obsessive love, and that Clotilde also murdered Nora Broad, a local girl she had lured with gifts before disguising Nora’s body as Verity’s to throw suspicion away from Michael. Miss Temple’s death is tied to the mystery as well. After gathering clues and speaking with the remaining tour members, Marple unravels the truth and confronts Clotilde. In a tense confrontation, Clotilde drinks poisoned milk and dies; Miss Marple’s revelation leads to Michael Rafiel’s exoneration and his inheritance is resolved.
Critical reception at the time described Nemesis as fresh and engaging, with praise for a strong, traditional detective setup. Some reviewers noted that it wasn’t Christie’s strongest work, while others highlighted it as inventive and entertaining.
The novel is also known for its exploration of female friendship and desire, with analysis pointing to how Miss Marple perceives the romantic and social dynamics among women. The relationship at the center—Verity’s bond with Clotilde—raises questions about love, loyalty, and what society expects of women.
Nemesis has been adapted for television and radio several times. A 1987 BBC version with Joan Hickson as Miss Marple made several changes to the plot. A 2009 ITV adaptation in the Miss Marple series starring Geraldine McEwan offered another, looser interpretation. The story was also adapted in other formats, including a 2018 Korean series and a BBC Radio 4 dramatisation, with the tale continuing to be retold for new audiences. The novel has appeared in print and magazine serialisations in the UK and North America.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 00:00 (CET).