- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins; 50th Anniversary edition (Reissue) edition (5 Nov 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0006496180
- ISBN-13: 978-0006496182
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 11 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 179,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
A newly-jacketed edition published to coincide with the 50th anniversary year of the longest-running play in history.
THE MOUSETRAP, the longest-running play in the history of London’s West End, begins its 50th Year run on 25 November 2001. This new edition of four works show how Agatha Christie's plays are as compulsive as her novels, their colourful characters and ingenious plots providing yet more evidence of her mastery of the detective thriller.
The Mousetrap
A homicidal maniac terrorizes a group of snowbound guests to the refrain of 'Three Blind Mice'…
And Then There Were None
Ten guilty people, brought together on an island in mysterious circumstances, await their sentence…
Appointment With Death
The suffocating heat of an exotic Middle-Eastern setting provides a backdrop for murder…
The Hollow
A set of friends convene at a country home where their convoluted relationships mean that any one of them could be a murderer…
From the Back Cover
'The Mousetrap', the longest-running play in the English language, is 50 years old. This special edition comes complete with three other thrillers, showing how Agatha Christie's plays are as compulsive as her novels, their colourful characters and ingenious plots providing yet more evidence of her mastery of the detective thriller.
'The Mousetrap'
Being cut off by snowdrifts is not an auspicious beginning, but Molly and Giles Ralston are determined to make a go of their new guest house. But among their first visitors is a maniac with an ambition to murder 'Three Blind Mice'…
'And Then There Were None'
Ten guilty people, brought together on an island in mysterious circumstances, await their sentence…
'Appointment With Death'
The suffocating heat of an exotic Middle-Eastern setting provides a backdrop for murder…
'The Hollow'
A set of friends convene at a country home where their convoluted relationships mean that any one of them could be a murderer…
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I sought this book out because I have never had chance to see the play 'The Mousetrap'(I live overseas and the play is never available here, to my chagrin). I enjoy reading plays because you are immersed in the action and they have an immediacy not available in a novel.
In 'The Mousetrap' guests are gathered at a new guest house run by an endearing but inexperienced couple. Heavy snow means that the guests are trapped, and all lines of communication with the outside world are unavailable. A local murder is announced on the radio station and a policeman is dispatched (on skis, bless him) to question the guests and discover the murderer, who we are informed is amongst them.
'The Mousetrap' is typical Christie, with a collection of characters, more than one of whom has a secret not fully disclosed to the reader/audience. These small mysteries within a overarching mystery add to the enjoyment of the suspense and the final denouement, as with all Christie, is startling. Stage directions (which are fairly extensive) ensure that the reader can picture Christie's overall scheme for her play and mean that a sense of what the stage would look like is clear. This, for me, added to the enjoyment of the play as much as reading description in a novel.
The other plays in the collection are equally enjoyable and this makes the book a necessary addition to an avid Christie fan's collection.
In 'The Mousetrap' guests are gathered at a new guest house run by an endearing but inexperienced couple. Heavy snow means that the guests are trapped, and all lines of communication with the outside world are unavailable. A local murder is announced on the radio station and a policeman is dispatched (on skis, bless him) to question the guests and discover the murderer, who we are informed is amongst them.
'The Mousetrap' is typical Christie, with a collection of characters, more than one of whom has a secret not fully disclosed to the reader/audience. These small mysteries within a overarching mystery add to the enjoyment of the suspense and the final denouement, as with all Christie, is startling. Stage directions (which are fairly extensive) ensure that the reader can picture Christie's overall scheme for her play and mean that a sense of what the stage would look like is clear. This, for me, added to the enjoyment of the play as much as reading description in a novel.
The other plays in the collection are equally enjoyable and this makes the book a necessary addition to an avid Christie fan's collection.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This excellent selection of plays by Agatha Christie includes four of her plays; "And Then There Were None", "Appointment with Death", "The Hollow", and her famous "The Mousetrap". The book includes information on the original productions, but sadly no introduction. All plays have very detailed stage directions.
"And Then There Were None", is based on Christie's 1939 novel, And Then There Were None (Agatha Christie Collection) and it was first produced in 1943. The play is set in the living room of the house on Indian Island, off the coast of Devon, where ten completely different people are lured and trapped. The characters are very well developed and the mystery plot is wonderfully crafted, as they are murdered one by one. This three act play has a cast of eleven characters.
"Appointment with Death", is based on Christie's 1938 novel Poirot - Appointment with Death and it was first produced in 1945. When the tyrannical Mrs. Boynton is found dead, the remaining members of her dysfunctional family suspect each other of the murder. The plot is intriguing and the characters very well developed. This three act play has a cast of eighteen characters. Although I think the play is better than the novel, if you are simply looking for a theatrical adaptation of the novel, you might be disappointed as it has many differences, particularly the lack of the extraordinary Poirot.
"The Hollow", is based on Christie's 1946 novel Poirot - The Hollow and it was first produced in 1951. A weekend gathering at Sir Henry Angkatell's house, The Hollow, about eighteen miles from London turns ugly when one of the guests is murdered. The play is interesting, but in my view, it is the weakest of this selection. This three act play has a cast of twelve characters.
"The Mousetrap", is based on Christie's 1947 short radio play "Three Blind Mice", it was first produced in 1952, and has been running continuously ever since. The play is set in the Great Hall of Monkswell Manor, a guest house. As the owners and the lodgers of Monkswell Manor are snowed in, they realize that a murderer is amongst them. This two act play has a cast of eight characters. The plot is fascinating and the characters well developed, but I think that the play is a bit outdated, and although I liked reading it, I really cannot understand what makes it last so long on stage.
The plays of this book are great and I loved them, but having said that, it is not necessary for someone who loves her novels to enjoy her plays as well.
"And Then There Were None", is based on Christie's 1939 novel, And Then There Were None (Agatha Christie Collection) and it was first produced in 1943. The play is set in the living room of the house on Indian Island, off the coast of Devon, where ten completely different people are lured and trapped. The characters are very well developed and the mystery plot is wonderfully crafted, as they are murdered one by one. This three act play has a cast of eleven characters.
"Appointment with Death", is based on Christie's 1938 novel Poirot - Appointment with Death and it was first produced in 1945. When the tyrannical Mrs. Boynton is found dead, the remaining members of her dysfunctional family suspect each other of the murder. The plot is intriguing and the characters very well developed. This three act play has a cast of eighteen characters. Although I think the play is better than the novel, if you are simply looking for a theatrical adaptation of the novel, you might be disappointed as it has many differences, particularly the lack of the extraordinary Poirot.
"The Hollow", is based on Christie's 1946 novel Poirot - The Hollow and it was first produced in 1951. A weekend gathering at Sir Henry Angkatell's house, The Hollow, about eighteen miles from London turns ugly when one of the guests is murdered. The play is interesting, but in my view, it is the weakest of this selection. This three act play has a cast of twelve characters.
"The Mousetrap", is based on Christie's 1947 short radio play "Three Blind Mice", it was first produced in 1952, and has been running continuously ever since. The play is set in the Great Hall of Monkswell Manor, a guest house. As the owners and the lodgers of Monkswell Manor are snowed in, they realize that a murderer is amongst them. This two act play has a cast of eight characters. The plot is fascinating and the characters well developed, but I think that the play is a bit outdated, and although I liked reading it, I really cannot understand what makes it last so long on stage.
The plays of this book are great and I loved them, but having said that, it is not necessary for someone who loves her novels to enjoy her plays as well.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although I am a great fan of Agatha Cristie's novels, and enjoyed having seen The Mousetrap on the stage, I find that reading the plays does not give the same excitement and sense of suspence. The detailed stage directions spoil the spontaneity of action and make boring reading. However, on the stage the plays would come alive and provide an exciting evening.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
missing in transit
unfortunatly i cannot tell you anything about this item as it never arrived and as it was meant as a gift i had to cancel it. Read more
Published 8 months ago by E. gardner
Disappointing
The play was enjoyable enough and I can image with the right casting and direction the play might be good fun to watch. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Harry the book monkey
Not Great
I would only recommend this book to avid Agatha Christie fans, who like me need to read this book to complete their collection. Read more
Published on 14 July 2007 by N. Ingram
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