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Masterpieces of Murder: And Then There Were None / Death on the Nile / The Murder of Roger Ackroyd / Witness for the Prosecution
Includes the following Agatha Christie mysteries:
And Then There Were None (1939)
Death on the Nile (1937)
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926)
Witness for the Prosecution (1924)
And Then There Were None (1939)
Death on the Nile (1937)
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926)
Witness for the Prosecution (1924)
594 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1977
20 people are currently reading
456 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Christie
5,859 books76.3k followersAgatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 28, 2021
Murder of Rodger Ackroyd is the best mystery novel I’ve ever read.
And then there were none was a great thiller and bone-chilling.
Witness for the prosecution an interesting short story.
Death on the Nile fell flat by comparison.
And then there were none was a great thiller and bone-chilling.
Witness for the prosecution an interesting short story.
Death on the Nile fell flat by comparison.
June 11, 2017
Agatha Christie put together here the perfect mystery. Ten people meet on an otherwise deserted private island under mysterious circumstances. After a startling indictment of each party for murder, delivered by a vinyl record and divulging secret guilt investigated, but never prosecuted at law, the guests die, one by one, until all are gone, with no clue as to whodunnit. The mistress of murder had me hooked to the last page.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2020
I only read And Then There Were None, but this is the only volume Goodreads is allowing me to select. In any case, this murder mystery is chilling, creepy, page-turning! Agatha Christie at her most harrowing best.
January 27, 2021
I am going to write a separate review for each story. I just finished Death on the Nile as my bff and I are reading it for our book club. This was a great mystery and so many interesting characters. I must confess to being surprised at the ending. Initially I had thought it was her husband and then scratched it. In addition I discovered an old movie on TCM and am watching it though I have not finished it as I did not want to discover the ending in the movie. It has many wonderful actors such as Peter Ustinov Bette Davis and Maggie Smith two of my favorites. This edition has four stories in it so now I begin my next adventure The Murder of Roger Akroyd.
The murder of Roger Akroyd was another great story. This time I was correct in my assumption of who the murderer was but will not say so as not to spoil anyone else whom is reading it their own assumptions.
The murder of Roger Akroyd was another great story. This time I was correct in my assumption of who the murderer was but will not say so as not to spoil anyone else whom is reading it their own assumptions.
April 30, 2014
I picked this book up several years ago and just couldn't get into it at first. A few weeks ago I found it collecting dust on a bookshelf so I decided to dust it off and give it another try. I am certainly glad that I did. I've never read anything by Agatha Christie before, and now I wonder why when I've always loved mysteries.
I found that The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was a little slow, but I did liked how it ended. And Then There Were None was a little confusing at first with all of the different points of the major characters. I loved it though because I was wondering if we were ever going to find out what exactly happened. Witness for the Prosecution was a nice little short story to have in there to break up the three novels. Death on the Nile was a very nice read as well. I am now a fan of Hercule Poirot and I looked forward to reading more novels from Christie with this great detective to solve the murder.
What more could you ask for than to have three novels and a short story in one book? If you ever find that you can get a copy of this or even a copy of any of the stories in this book then I suggest you get them and read them. Especially if you like mysteries.
I found that The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was a little slow, but I did liked how it ended. And Then There Were None was a little confusing at first with all of the different points of the major characters. I loved it though because I was wondering if we were ever going to find out what exactly happened. Witness for the Prosecution was a nice little short story to have in there to break up the three novels. Death on the Nile was a very nice read as well. I am now a fan of Hercule Poirot and I looked forward to reading more novels from Christie with this great detective to solve the murder.
What more could you ask for than to have three novels and a short story in one book? If you ever find that you can get a copy of this or even a copy of any of the stories in this book then I suggest you get them and read them. Especially if you like mysteries.
July 12, 2015
I reviewed the novels in this book separately:
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
,
And Then There Were None
,
Death on the Nile
.
Didn’t much like “Witness for the Prosecution.” Christie is trying to be too clever—it’s a nice idea, and I suppose you could say it says interesting things about the justice system. But it doesn’t quite work.
Didn’t much like “Witness for the Prosecution.” Christie is trying to be too clever—it’s a nice idea, and I suppose you could say it says interesting things about the justice system. But it doesn’t quite work.
February 23, 2012
Four classic Christie books. I have read two of them before, but enjoyed them as much as the first time. I did not know that Christie wrote short stories until I read the one in this book. Just as gripping as her novels.
Excellent for anyone who enjoys mysteries.
Excellent for anyone who enjoys mysteries.
December 27, 2020
Delightful collection, and looking forward to reading those I haven't yet read.
................................................................................................
And Then There Were None
And Then There Were None (1939)
It seems unlikely that anyone would be unfamiliar with this story - so much is this been a part of growing up. The island where the chosen group has been invited to take a free holiday all paid, where they meet each other after a solitary journey and go on to the mansion to spend the holiday - only to find they are dying, one by one. They are being popped off, but they are only themselves on the island, and no one coming, no way to leave for anyone. It seems unlikely it could be one of them, and yet ...
October 18, 2008.
................................................................................................
Death on the Nile
Death on the Nile (1937)
One of the most famous from this writer, not the least due to the spectacular film - the story does lend itself to a spectacular film, rather. A beautiful young woman who is a rich heiress, with a brand new handsome bridegroom, setting out on her honeymoon - only, he had unceremoniously ditched his previous lover when he saw the beauty he married, and it so happened the two young women had been best friends, in fact that is how the couple had met. Now, the spurned lover is haunting them on the honeymoon, she is there everywhere they can and do go, no matter how carefully they camouflage their plans. Finally they are on a cruise on the Nile together, and she joins the cruise just as they are congratualting each other. Now there is no escape. And then begin the deaths...
October 21, 2008.
................................................................................................
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926)
................................................................................................
Witness for the Prosecution
Witness for the Prosecution (1924)
Looking forward to reading it, having loved the portrayal by Marlene Dietrich of the wife who loved her husband, not realising he wasn't merely the criminal but intended to cheat her after she'd saved his life - and the superb lawyer who, having realised she'd conned him, turns to save her, nevertheless, knowing she was innocent and her being espxecuted for a murder committed by the husband had been his plan all along!
December 28, 2020.
................................................................................................
................................................................................................
And Then There Were None
And Then There Were None (1939)
It seems unlikely that anyone would be unfamiliar with this story - so much is this been a part of growing up. The island where the chosen group has been invited to take a free holiday all paid, where they meet each other after a solitary journey and go on to the mansion to spend the holiday - only to find they are dying, one by one. They are being popped off, but they are only themselves on the island, and no one coming, no way to leave for anyone. It seems unlikely it could be one of them, and yet ...
October 18, 2008.
................................................................................................
Death on the Nile
Death on the Nile (1937)
One of the most famous from this writer, not the least due to the spectacular film - the story does lend itself to a spectacular film, rather. A beautiful young woman who is a rich heiress, with a brand new handsome bridegroom, setting out on her honeymoon - only, he had unceremoniously ditched his previous lover when he saw the beauty he married, and it so happened the two young women had been best friends, in fact that is how the couple had met. Now, the spurned lover is haunting them on the honeymoon, she is there everywhere they can and do go, no matter how carefully they camouflage their plans. Finally they are on a cruise on the Nile together, and she joins the cruise just as they are congratualting each other. Now there is no escape. And then begin the deaths...
October 21, 2008.
................................................................................................
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926)
................................................................................................
Witness for the Prosecution
Witness for the Prosecution (1924)
Looking forward to reading it, having loved the portrayal by Marlene Dietrich of the wife who loved her husband, not realising he wasn't merely the criminal but intended to cheat her after she'd saved his life - and the superb lawyer who, having realised she'd conned him, turns to save her, nevertheless, knowing she was innocent and her being espxecuted for a murder committed by the husband had been his plan all along!
December 28, 2020.
................................................................................................
January 30, 2019
I pulled this off my shelves to read And Then There Were None, since we had just seen the play last weekend. So far they coincide quite well. It used to be called Ten Little Indians. In the play, the island was called Soldier Island, and the little figures were soldiers, not Indians. The title has had several different variations, depending on what is considered "politically correct" at any given time. Plus it may well have been published under different titles in the UK and the US originally. That is one of the few things that annoy me about Christie books - you think you've found one you haven't read, and it turns out to be just a different title for an old book. I may go on and read the other books in this collection later.
And Then There Were None: Eight people arrive at an island off the coast of Devon, to find no one in residence except the butler and his wife. The first night, a recording is heard, accusing each of the ten of murdering someone. Then they begin dying, one by one. Of course a huge storm comes up so there is no way for them to get off the island and escape. The great thing about a Christie book is that I can NEVER remember the ending, so each re-read is new to me! It was interesting to compare the play to the book - they had slightly different endings, but the rest was pretty much the same.
Death on the Nile: I couldn't resist continuing with this story. This is a Poirot novel, about a group of people traveling in Egypt. The beautiful rich girl on her honeymoon, a young woman and a young man traveling with their respective mothers, and various other Englishmen. As they are sailing on the Nile, people start dying and Poirot teams up with Colonel Race to find the murderer.
Witness for the Prosecution: This is a very short one. A woman gets her husband acquitted by testifying against him. Interesting, and a fairly easy read. If you've seen the play or the movie, you know what happens.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd: Okay, I found I couldn't resist this one either. It's Hercule Poirot, after all, and one I hadn't read in quite a while. It's a little different, as the entire story is told in first person narrative by the doctor who lives next door to the house Poirot is staying in. The doctor takes the place of Hastings as a foil to Poirot - always wanting to help, always a step or two behind. In fact, the doctor's snoopy, gossipy sister is probably more up on current events than he is! Rather fun to watch Poirot playing with him.
And Then There Were None: Eight people arrive at an island off the coast of Devon, to find no one in residence except the butler and his wife. The first night, a recording is heard, accusing each of the ten of murdering someone. Then they begin dying, one by one. Of course a huge storm comes up so there is no way for them to get off the island and escape. The great thing about a Christie book is that I can NEVER remember the ending, so each re-read is new to me! It was interesting to compare the play to the book - they had slightly different endings, but the rest was pretty much the same.
Death on the Nile: I couldn't resist continuing with this story. This is a Poirot novel, about a group of people traveling in Egypt. The beautiful rich girl on her honeymoon, a young woman and a young man traveling with their respective mothers, and various other Englishmen. As they are sailing on the Nile, people start dying and Poirot teams up with Colonel Race to find the murderer.
Witness for the Prosecution: This is a very short one. A woman gets her husband acquitted by testifying against him. Interesting, and a fairly easy read. If you've seen the play or the movie, you know what happens.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd: Okay, I found I couldn't resist this one either. It's Hercule Poirot, after all, and one I hadn't read in quite a while. It's a little different, as the entire story is told in first person narrative by the doctor who lives next door to the house Poirot is staying in. The doctor takes the place of Hastings as a foil to Poirot - always wanting to help, always a step or two behind. In fact, the doctor's snoopy, gossipy sister is probably more up on current events than he is! Rather fun to watch Poirot playing with him.
September 25, 2021
Ok so I need to rate this book. Agatha Christie has always been my most favorite author when it comes to crime novels .I read this short story Witness for the Prosecution and truly Agatha Christie has nailed the story in just few pages, it gave me goosebumps while reading .
This story is about a young man Leonard Vole who was accused for the murder of Emily French(Miss French) in London and his lawyer Mr. Mayherne found the real culprit....... To know more about the story and who was the real culprit?..... Definitely read this book its a must read , worth reading .... I will highly recommend reading this book and for all the beginners out there if u want to really start up with a book of Agatha Christie then this one is a true gem.... This will make you fall in love with crime and thriller novels!!!!!
This story is about a young man Leonard Vole who was accused for the murder of Emily French(Miss French) in London and his lawyer Mr. Mayherne found the real culprit....... To know more about the story and who was the real culprit?..... Definitely read this book its a must read , worth reading .... I will highly recommend reading this book and for all the beginners out there if u want to really start up with a book of Agatha Christie then this one is a true gem.... This will make you fall in love with crime and thriller novels!!!!!
July 13, 2025
I typically do not enjoy when a murder mystery novel resolves itself at the end of the text within a letter, tape, or any other pre-recorded omission of guilt. I tend to believe this method a dramatic cop out to writing a good ending, but of course Agatha does it so incredibly well. I genuinely could not fathom how this mystery could end, even as I neared the final pages. What a gut-punching finale, I refer less to the letter explaining the ploy of Indian Island itself and its inhabits, but instead the exchange between Vera and Cyril. Safe to say, I was hooked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2022
I wanted to read some Agatha Christie. This book contains three of her navels. They were written in the 1920’s. She is able to pull you in with her well drawn characters. It is refreshing to read something that is a little more detailed.
, although I will admit to getting impatient. Try her, agai, you will like it.
, although I will admit to getting impatient. Try her, agai, you will like it.
October 2, 2018
Not my usual go to, but this collection had me turning pages long into the nights! I have never read an agatha Christie, though i had caught a few of the movies before. Brilliant writing and captivating storytelling!
Sometimes felt it was a little two drawn out but each story keeps you guessing!
Sometimes felt it was a little two drawn out but each story keeps you guessing!
November 25, 2017
A bit long but pretty good although characters could have been a bit more witty.
March 21, 2019
As always these are superb reads and can be read over and over with much enjoyment.
January 17, 2022
I have always been a fan of Agatha Christie's work. Well-written and worth reading again.
January 27, 2022
Delightful old fashioned mysteries, where all the murders are committed by the (harrumph!) upper class with extremely polished manners.
October 16, 2024
Classic well-written murder mystery stories. I just have to give it five stars.
August 3, 2025
Four excellent stories.
August 19, 2025
4.5 stars! A great composition of Agatha Christie’s books that introduced me to her. Would recommend!
December 29, 2020
Dramatized- witness of the prosecution
Read
September 10, 2016Having never read an Agatha Christie mystery before, this collection was a great introduction. I was familiar with Hercules Poirot from TV and film adaptation but had never encountered the famous detective in print.
I picked up the collection for the first book included, "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd," one of the "1001 books to read before you die." I can see why this particular mystery is included on the list. It is a great example of an unreliable narrator. I admit that I didn't realize whodunnit. I can't decide if I'll just never be as smart as Poirot or if Christie withheld details making it impossible to solve the mystery on my own.
All of the mysteries included had similar twist endings where someone who is either not a suspect or who the reader is told has a solid alibi is the culprit.
I will probably read more books by Christie since I do love mysteries, especially British ones.
I picked up the collection for the first book included, "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd," one of the "1001 books to read before you die." I can see why this particular mystery is included on the list. It is a great example of an unreliable narrator. I admit that I didn't realize whodunnit. I can't decide if I'll just never be as smart as Poirot or if Christie withheld details making it impossible to solve the mystery on my own.
All of the mysteries included had similar twist endings where someone who is either not a suspect or who the reader is told has a solid alibi is the culprit.
I will probably read more books by Christie since I do love mysteries, especially British ones.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2021
Four complete mystery stories from British author Agatha Christie.
In The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926) the murder of a doctor in a small village brings Hercule Poirot to investigate.
And Then There Were None (1939) is Christie's most famous 'locked room' mystery. Ten strangers, each harboring a guilty secret, are invited to a weekend house party on an isolated island. Each is murdered one by one to the tune of a nursing rhyme.
In Witness for the Prosecution (1948) a 'loving' wife decides to testify against her husband in a murder trial.
Death on the Nile (1937) is one of Christie's personal favorites. Another Hercule Poirot mystery, in which he must solve the murder of a wealthy, beautiful, newly married heiress while traveling down the Nile.
---
This is a compilation containing 4 of Agatha Christie's best known mysteries.
In The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926) the murder of a doctor in a small village brings Hercule Poirot to investigate.
And Then There Were None (1939) is Christie's most famous 'locked room' mystery. Ten strangers, each harboring a guilty secret, are invited to a weekend house party on an isolated island. Each is murdered one by one to the tune of a nursing rhyme.
In Witness for the Prosecution (1948) a 'loving' wife decides to testify against her husband in a murder trial.
Death on the Nile (1937) is one of Christie's personal favorites. Another Hercule Poirot mystery, in which he must solve the murder of a wealthy, beautiful, newly married heiress while traveling down the Nile.
---
This is a compilation containing 4 of Agatha Christie's best known mysteries.
March 9, 2025
I had started Meditations but was suddenly weary of heavy non-fiction. It seems there have been several in a row so I turned to Agatha Christie instead. I enjoyed it immensely. I absolutely love her books, can reread them an infinite number of times and sometimes am still surprised by the end. Enjoyed myself so much I went right into another one and the worthy Meditations resides untouched on my bedside table. I'll get back to it.
June 24, 2012
I read all of these years ago and they were among my favorites, so nice to have them all in one volume.
January 1, 2014
Agatha Christie is a genius!!!! I loved it all!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews