The Open Mind is the sixth short story in Marple: Twelve New Stories, a collection of continuation short stories published by HarperCollins in 2022. The Open Mind is written by Naomi Alderman, and in the collection, the story is preceded by Miss Marple's Christmas and followed by The Jade Empress.
Synopsis[]
The Master of an Oxford college is poisoned during a Founder's Dinner and later dies. All around him at the high table were people who disliked him intensely.
Plot summary[]
(may contain spoilers - click on expand to read)
Characters[]
- Jane Marple
- Professor Cuthbert Cayling
- Sir Aaron Kahn
- Dr Agnetha Strom
- Elspeth Hearken
- Dr Eammon McManaway
- Simon Skipper
- Aunt Constance
- Duke of Bedlington-Bomarsand
Mentioned[]
- Huw Wheldon
- Harold Wilson
- Kenneth Clark
- Thomas Chatterton
- Jim, the butcher's boy
- Betsy
- Oliver Cromwell
- King Charles II
- Lady Sarah Bedlington
- Harrison
- Ruth
Locations[]
- St Bede's College, Oxford
- Randolph Hotel, Beaumont Street
- Chapel at Seaham Ryhope, the Bedlington-Bomarsand estate
Cultural and other references[]
- The Death of Chatterton by Pre-Raphaelite artist Henry Wallis
Audiobook[]
The audiobook is narrated by Jodhi May.