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Harley Quin #11
The World's End - a Harley Quin Short Story
Our old friend Satterthwaite is in Corsica, the French island in the Mediterranean where Napoleon was born, with his old friend, the Duchess of Leith, for a little holiday.
While in Corsica they unexpectedly meet a young artist and cousin of the Duchess who escorts them up a mountain to the isolated Coti-Chiavari and a place she calls "World's End." There's another surprise - the appearance there of Mr. Quin who has come to shed new light on the conviction of a jewel thief the year before…
Librarian's note #1: this short story was published in Flynn's Weekly (1926) and then in the print anthology The Mysterious Mr. Quin which was first published in 1930.
Librarian's note #2: the print anthology contains 12 Mr. Quin short stories. Besides those, there are two more found in other collections: The Love Detectives, and The Harlequin Tea Set. Mr. Satterthwaite also appears in Three Act Tragedy and Dead Man's Mirror. All by Agatha Christie, of course!
Librarian's note #3: the entries for all fourteen Mr. Quin short stories can be found on GR by searching for: a Harley Quin short story. Or for Harley Quin. Details such as characters and settings are included for each.
While in Corsica they unexpectedly meet a young artist and cousin of the Duchess who escorts them up a mountain to the isolated Coti-Chiavari and a place she calls "World's End." There's another surprise - the appearance there of Mr. Quin who has come to shed new light on the conviction of a jewel thief the year before…
Librarian's note #1: this short story was published in Flynn's Weekly (1926) and then in the print anthology The Mysterious Mr. Quin which was first published in 1930.
Librarian's note #2: the print anthology contains 12 Mr. Quin short stories. Besides those, there are two more found in other collections: The Love Detectives, and The Harlequin Tea Set. Mr. Satterthwaite also appears in Three Act Tragedy and Dead Man's Mirror. All by Agatha Christie, of course!
Librarian's note #3: the entries for all fourteen Mr. Quin short stories can be found on GR by searching for: a Harley Quin short story. Or for Harley Quin. Details such as characters and settings are included for each.
37 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 1927
10 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Christie
5,788 books74.9k 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)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 10, 2025
“I happened to bring some biscuits and a stick of chocolate on board with me…When I found there was no dinner to be got, I gave the lot to her. The lower classes always make such a fuss about going without their meals.” — The Duchess
There is wonderful atmosphere in Christie’s Mr. Quin stories, but anyone who has read them knows full well these should be considered the Satterthwaite and Mr. Quin stories. We discover very little about Mr. Quin throughout the short stories, other than he is part of the supernatural world in some undefined capacity. Christie smartly withholds this information, making it more mysterious for the reader.
Mr. Satterthwaite, however, we learn a great deal about. We come to enjoy Satterthwaite’s company and embrace his growth throughout the stories. It is poignant in fact how much Mr. Quin’s appearances transform Satterthwaite, adding meaning and enjoyment and purpose to his life as he becomes an important catalyst in untangling matters.
Needless to say, I adore the stories featuring Satterthwaite and Mr. Quin, and this one is magnificent. The World’s End is more atmospheric than most of the Mr. Quin stories in that it is more resonating.
Satterthwaite’s acquaintance with a rather stingy and irritating Duchess leads to him meeting a charming yet unconventional artist named Miss Carlton Smith. A sadness surrounds her, because her love, Alec Gerard has been imprisoned for a year, convicted of theft.
A twisty, dangerous road up a mountain to a place called World’s End, and a sudden snowfall strands Miss Carlton Smith at the top with a very unexpected group. Among the group is the mysterious Mr. Quin, so the reader knows something is definitely afoot.
There is some wonderfully descriptive prose by Christie helping to create atmosphere. Her skillful creation of mood makes for a truly memorable short story. Sublime, and my personal favorite in the series. Also, one of my all-time favorite short stories.
There is wonderful atmosphere in Christie’s Mr. Quin stories, but anyone who has read them knows full well these should be considered the Satterthwaite and Mr. Quin stories. We discover very little about Mr. Quin throughout the short stories, other than he is part of the supernatural world in some undefined capacity. Christie smartly withholds this information, making it more mysterious for the reader.
Mr. Satterthwaite, however, we learn a great deal about. We come to enjoy Satterthwaite’s company and embrace his growth throughout the stories. It is poignant in fact how much Mr. Quin’s appearances transform Satterthwaite, adding meaning and enjoyment and purpose to his life as he becomes an important catalyst in untangling matters.
Needless to say, I adore the stories featuring Satterthwaite and Mr. Quin, and this one is magnificent. The World’s End is more atmospheric than most of the Mr. Quin stories in that it is more resonating.
Satterthwaite’s acquaintance with a rather stingy and irritating Duchess leads to him meeting a charming yet unconventional artist named Miss Carlton Smith. A sadness surrounds her, because her love, Alec Gerard has been imprisoned for a year, convicted of theft.
A twisty, dangerous road up a mountain to a place called World’s End, and a sudden snowfall strands Miss Carlton Smith at the top with a very unexpected group. Among the group is the mysterious Mr. Quin, so the reader knows something is definitely afoot.
There is some wonderfully descriptive prose by Christie helping to create atmosphere. Her skillful creation of mood makes for a truly memorable short story. Sublime, and my personal favorite in the series. Also, one of my all-time favorite short stories.
July 30, 2025
Mr. Satterthwaite has a terrible vacation.
Thanks to his snobbish nature, he practically leapt to attention when the Duchess of Leith suggested they travel together on a sightseeing trip.
Seeing as they were much too old for it to be considered a scandal, she said. And the idea that he could be involved in anything that could have even once upon a time have been considered scandalous just whetted Satterthwaite's appetite for the adventure.
A duchess AND a non-scandal?! Oh my!
Unfortunately for him, the Duchess is known for being cheap.
And with each cost-cutting measure she takes, the trip becomes more and more uncomfortable. He finally arrives in Corsica, tired and hungry, ready for a good meal.
It's at that point they run into a somewhat distant relation of the Duchess, a young artist named Naomi. She shocks poor Mr. Satterthwaite with her blasé treatment of a member of the aristocracy, refusing to let her sponge an easy ride and showing her some of her more daring artwork.
Regardless, he likes the young lady and realizes at once that she has actual talent, going so far as to purchase one of her pictures. But he also realizes that something is wrong with her. And the casual way she drives the dangerous roads raises his suspicions that not all is well.
So, when they meet Mr. Quin on their way to a picnic, he knows that there is something happening at The World's End that he will need to help set right.
It's a good little mystery, even if the resolution is a bit silly at the end.
Originally published in 1926 in the magazine Flynn's Weekly.
Read as part of the short story collections The Mysterious Mr. Quin & Midwinter Murder: Fireside Tales from the Queen of Mystery.
Thanks to his snobbish nature, he practically leapt to attention when the Duchess of Leith suggested they travel together on a sightseeing trip.
Seeing as they were much too old for it to be considered a scandal, she said. And the idea that he could be involved in anything that could have even once upon a time have been considered scandalous just whetted Satterthwaite's appetite for the adventure.
A duchess AND a non-scandal?! Oh my!
Unfortunately for him, the Duchess is known for being cheap.
And with each cost-cutting measure she takes, the trip becomes more and more uncomfortable. He finally arrives in Corsica, tired and hungry, ready for a good meal.
It's at that point they run into a somewhat distant relation of the Duchess, a young artist named Naomi. She shocks poor Mr. Satterthwaite with her blasé treatment of a member of the aristocracy, refusing to let her sponge an easy ride and showing her some of her more daring artwork.
Regardless, he likes the young lady and realizes at once that she has actual talent, going so far as to purchase one of her pictures. But he also realizes that something is wrong with her. And the casual way she drives the dangerous roads raises his suspicions that not all is well.
So, when they meet Mr. Quin on their way to a picnic, he knows that there is something happening at The World's End that he will need to help set right.
It's a good little mystery, even if the resolution is a bit silly at the end.
Originally published in 1926 in the magazine Flynn's Weekly.
Read as part of the short story collections The Mysterious Mr. Quin & Midwinter Murder: Fireside Tales from the Queen of Mystery.
September 27, 2025
4 Stars. You should not forget when reading Christie's short stories about Satterthwaite and Quin that the introductory story was The Love Detectives. It appeared in October 1926. This one came out in February 1927 in Story-Teller in the US. I read it as one of 12 in The Mysterious Mr. Quin, the 2003 version. That first title was appropriate; there's always a love twist. But usually a surprising one. Two other aspects of the Mr. Q series play a prominent role here. Coincidence, and Quin's sudden appearance at the oddest of occasions and places. Mr. S was persuaded by the elderly Duchess of Leith to venture from Cannes and the Riviera, with all the comforts he enjoyed, to the wilds of Corsica. On that Mediterranean island they bump into her young second-cousin Naomi Carlton Smith. It's a small world. It becomes even smaller when the three scale a rugged mountain by car to a remote village - where Mr. Q is discovered by the side of the road enjoying the vista. Soon the world becomes less than a square block. Who do they meet? The theatrical couple who accused Naomi's boyfriend of theft a year earlier. The ending made me smile. (Oc2020/Se2025)
May 5, 2021
Of the Mr Quin’s stories Agatha Christie’s had three favourites. One of which was “World’s End” - my latest dip into this series of short stories.
A long standing social friend, a real Duchess but a thrifty and miserly old lady, who rather than holiday on the Riviera obliges Mr Satterthwaite to join her in Corsica.
There they meet a young artist. She is depressed but Satterthwaite takes an interest in her and the Duchess persuades her to join them on a journey into the hills along with another guest who is press-ganged into driving them. Naomi, the artist insists she’ll take her car but refuses to give anyone a lift, preferring to travel on her own. This gives Mr Satterthwaite cause for concern over her state of mind but frustrated as he remains unable to encourage her.
A twisty and precipitous road leads up the hillside to a small Corsican hamlet, Naomi calls it the ‘World’s End.’
Just when Satterthwaite is overcome with fear and foresees an impending disaster. When who should he meet but Harley Quin; the bearer of gifts of insight and calm.
Wonderfully told with an unravelling of a mystery at its heart, sufficient to make a difference and change lives.
Mr Quin is a wonderful showman but a force for good. His presence brings reassurance to his friend Satterthwaite and together the truth is found and love realised.
A long standing social friend, a real Duchess but a thrifty and miserly old lady, who rather than holiday on the Riviera obliges Mr Satterthwaite to join her in Corsica.
There they meet a young artist. She is depressed but Satterthwaite takes an interest in her and the Duchess persuades her to join them on a journey into the hills along with another guest who is press-ganged into driving them. Naomi, the artist insists she’ll take her car but refuses to give anyone a lift, preferring to travel on her own. This gives Mr Satterthwaite cause for concern over her state of mind but frustrated as he remains unable to encourage her.
A twisty and precipitous road leads up the hillside to a small Corsican hamlet, Naomi calls it the ‘World’s End.’
Just when Satterthwaite is overcome with fear and foresees an impending disaster. When who should he meet but Harley Quin; the bearer of gifts of insight and calm.
Wonderfully told with an unravelling of a mystery at its heart, sufficient to make a difference and change lives.
Mr Quin is a wonderful showman but a force for good. His presence brings reassurance to his friend Satterthwaite and together the truth is found and love realised.
September 15, 2023
As a fan of Agatha Christie, I picked this e-book up from by local library. It was part of a set of twelve novellas Midwinter Murder: Fireside Tales from the Queen of Mystery. I found each individual story entertaining with a great mystery. I would recommond to readers of Agatha Christie. 2023
November 15, 2025
3.5⭐️
I quite liked this one-although I didn’t understand the ending
I quite liked this one-although I didn’t understand the ending
March 2, 2021
I did not like this one at all. Too similar to the short story, The Man From the Sea. While on vacation, Mr. Satterthwaite goes to lunch up on a mountain with some of his traveling companions. Of course Mr. Quinn turns up along with another small group of travelers. Over lunch, they tell stories and the woman of the other group tells of an opal that was stolen from her that was never recovered, even after the culprit was imprisoned. The young man also happens to be the boyfriend of Mr. Satterthwaite’s traveling companion, Naomi. She wants to leave and Mr. Quinn won’t let her because he knows that she plans to jump off the cliff and commit suicide. Suddenly, the woman finds the opal in a trick box in her handbag, realizing that it must have been there all along. The man will be released from prison and Naomi won’t kill herself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2020
Even in the short story format, Agatha Christie is a master at creating complex characters, vivid scenery, and a well-plotted mystery with the surprise twist. The World's End is set in Corsica instead of England. The mystery involves a robbery instead of a murder. I found Mr. Quin fascinating, a mysterious man who suddenly appears outside a village high on a Corsican mountain. Not my favorite of Christie's short stories, but an entertaining story well worth reading overall.
August 16, 2024
Short and sweet.
June 12, 2016
The translation in Arabic usually delete some lines or events, so sometimes you need to go through the trouble of finding the English version. Even if it means poor typing or scanning features. This time, however, not only the deleting problem but ADDING lines and changing the way things happened too! makes it clear that Arabic translators had never been faithful to the novels they translate. The story nevertheless was nice as usual.
January 27, 2024
Interesting story that was not what I thought it would be when I started reading. I think I will be seeking out more Mr Quin stories.
Mr Satterthwaite encounters a Duchess, who invites him to accompany her on a trip. He is disappointed to find she is very frugal, resulting in them going to Corsica. There, they meet a lovely, lonely, sad artist, who the Duchess insists accompany them on an outing up a dangerous road, where they encounter Mr Quin. Interesting things ensue.
Mr Satterthwaite encounters a Duchess, who invites him to accompany her on a trip. He is disappointed to find she is very frugal, resulting in them going to Corsica. There, they meet a lovely, lonely, sad artist, who the Duchess insists accompany them on an outing up a dangerous road, where they encounter Mr Quin. Interesting things ensue.
January 25, 2025
Mr Sattertgwaite and Mr Quin meet again. When Mr Satterthwaite travels to the continent with the Dutchess, they run into one of her relatives, Naomi Carlton Smith, who is an artist. On a trip to see the sights, they run into Mr Quin and a party of 3 others when caught in a snowstorm. Mr Quin again appears to be the "play producer". I didn't see the ending coming; good story!
April 12, 2017
the Mysterious Mr. Quin
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
April 12, 2020
The reveal was just upsetting.
December 11, 2020
Was that a cliffhanger at the end?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2024
A short story featuring Harley Quin. Light and entertaining.
June 25, 2021
Mr Quin books are fascinating definitely give them a read they are so different to Agatha Christie other books
July 2, 2023
eponymous sentence:
p12: "At the World's End...."
Mr. Quin can turn up in very unexpected places, I see.
Read as part of the collection The Mysterious Mr. Quin.
p12: "At the World's End...."
Mr. Quin can turn up in very unexpected places, I see.
Read as part of the collection The Mysterious Mr. Quin.
November 15, 2023
Artists are a main feature of this one
January 20, 2024
The more I read the Harley Quin short stories, the more they make sense. The personification of deus ex machina is really fun.
February 4, 2024
An interesting and odd book to review. Mr Satterthwaite goes on a car journey with a group of people where a story of a missing Opal comes up, of which someone has been imprisoned for a year for its theft.
Mr Quin makes an appearance but barely says a word. What is interesting is, Mr Satterthwaite is asked how he knows Mr Quin and some more background information about him, but, nothing is forthcoming. Throughout these stories NO background information on either character is ever forthcoming.
This story has a start and kind of middle, but just ends.
Mr Quin makes an appearance but barely says a word. What is interesting is, Mr Satterthwaite is asked how he knows Mr Quin and some more background information about him, but, nothing is forthcoming. Throughout these stories NO background information on either character is ever forthcoming.
This story has a start and kind of middle, but just ends.
December 24, 2022
A girl, talented artist but happens to come across the person who
Such a forced plot, but I guess I’m not supposed to criticize that.
Such a forced plot, but I guess I’m not supposed to criticize that.
May 21, 2023
In going thru the Harley Quin stories, I appreciate the large cast of characters. Agatha Christie managed to characterize a number of people rather well with limited 'screen time' so to speak. The artist in this story would not be confused with the artist from 'The Dead Harlequin', nor would the upper class lady from this story be confused with the one from 'The Soul of the Croupier' or 'The Voice in the Dark'.
September 24, 2025
This is another one where I just read the first seven pages and then just read the Wikipedia page to get the rest of it. I didn’t want more long-winded bullshit about some rich woman and her diamonds again.
August 17, 2021
10/10
August 20, 2023
Goed kort verhaal.
March 21, 2025
A theft this time orients what is a pretty by-the-book entry.
October 27, 2025
Hmm , don’t quite know what to think of this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews