In the short story Tape-Measure Murder, Laburnum Cottage is the home of Mr and Mrs Spenlow, in St. Mary Mead. Gladys Brent is employed there as the maid. Mr Spenlow had sold his jeweller's business in London and bought the cottage because he wanted to take up gardening. Even after the death of his wife, he intended to stay on, and discussed with Miss Marple his plan to set up a pergola on the west side of the cottage with roses and wisteria. The cottage backed onto some fields so it is possible to leave the house without being observed.
Advertisement