Belle Goedler

In the novel A Murder is Announced, Belle Goedler is the widow of Randall Goedler. She lived as an invalid for many years, and was unable to leave her home for the last fifteen years of her life. Despite this, she retained an "intense enjoyment and love of being alive", and Detective-Inspector Craddock even observed a "rogueish twinkle in her faded blue eyes".

She had always been weakly, and described herself as having been "a mass of aches and pains and complaints". However, she never felt too sorry for herself, and was instead grateful that she had experienced all the things that made life worthwhile. She had been pretty and happy as a girl, had married the man she loved, and he had loved her. She had also had a child, and although he died when he was two years old, she was grateful for the time that she had with him.

Portrayals
In the BBC 1985 adaptation of the novel which formed part of the Miss Marple series, Belle Goedler is played by Joyce Carey. The portrayal is faithful to the original.

In the ITV 2005 adaptation of the novel, Belle Goedler is played by Virginia McKenna. In this adaptation, she appears to be weaker and more sickly than either the novel or the 1985 adaptation.