The Listerdale Mystery
By Agatha Christie
Ulverscroft Large Print, 1990
ISBN: 0-7089-2291-0
Genre: Mystery - Short Stories
Reviewed by Auggie Moore - September 6, 2005
The Listerdale Mystery is a thrilling collection of short stories by the Queen of the Mystery Genre, Agatha Christie. Featuring twelve eclectic and thrilling mysteries that run the gamut from locked-room puzzles, murder cases, and humorous tales of deception to stories that almost cross the line into Romance! This collection has a little something for everyone. While some of these stories are serious and other humorous, all are without exception, delightful brain teasers with which you will gladly give up a few hours to enjoy. Christie was an honest mystery writer. She always provides all the clues that are needed to solve the mystery - but she also throws in a collection of red-herrings and obfuscation to keep you on your toes.
The twelve stories in this collection are:
The Listerdale Mystery
Discover how a charity swindle can lead to love.
Philomel Cottage
A straight story of suspense about a young wife who begins to suspect that her new husband isn't quite the man he claims to be, and now her life might be in danger.
The Girl in the Train
How a chance encounter on a train changes one girl's life.
Sing a Song of Sixpence
Christie once again uses a unique plot ploy to set up a murder - in this case a children's nursery rhyme.
The Manhood of Edward Robinson
Someone's taken Edward's car by mistake, and left in its place one with a diamond necklace and directions to a rendevous - would you go? Edward does...
Accident
A case in which the murderer might actually get away with it...
Jane in Search of a Job
If you were out of work, hungry, and in a desperate need of a job, would you be in a hurry to turn down a well-paying job - even if you thought there was something fishy and possibly illegal about it. Jane wasn't.
A Fruitful Sunday
After buying a basket of cherries, a less than well-to-do couple discovers a hidden treasure - a necklace that might very well have been stolen. Now they have to decide what to do with it.
Mr. Eastwood's Adventure
In this case, poor Mr. Eastwood, a writer of mysteries, is charged with murder.
The Golden Ball
After being kicked out of his rich uncle's house, George is on the lookout for a good opportunity, and it comes to him in the form of a young woman.
The Rajah's Emerald
This story features a character by the name of Bond, James Bond, but not the one of 007 fame. Bond is off on a much needed vacation, and is surprised when he discovers an emerald in his trousers - and the fun begins.
Swan Song
Would you give it all to bring a sense of realism to your job - in this case an Opera Singer does, and dies for his pains.
The Listerdale Mystery can be purchased directly from Ulverscroft.
Click Here for a complete list of all the books written by Agatha Christie.
Related Reviews:
The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side, by Agatha Christie.
Miss Jane Marple suddenly takes an interest in the film star Marian Gregg - when someone is poisoned at Gregg's housewarming party. If anyone can solve the mystery behind this unwarranted murder, it's the grandmotherly detective, Miss Marple... (Large Print)
Poirot's Early Cases, by Agatha Christie.
Eighteen thrilling mysteries from the early cases of Hercule Poirot that will have you working your little grey cells to solve the case before Poirot does. (Large Print)
