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Μάρτυρας Κατηγορίας: Το Πιο Συναρπαστικό Δικαστικό Θρίλερ Όλων Των Εποχών!
Ο Λέοναρντ Βόουλ κατηγορείται για τη δολοφονία μιας πλούσιας χήρας. Όλες οι ενδείξεις συνηγορούν ότι αυτός είναι ο δολοφόνος. Ωστόσο, ο δαιμόνιος ποινικολόγος Ουίλφρεντ Ρόμπαρτς, που αναλαμβάνει την υπεράσπισή του, δεν είναι τόσο σίγουρος για την ενοχή του. Ο αγώνας του νεαρού άντρα να μην καταδικαστεί θα κριθεί στα έδρανα του δικαστηρίου, όπου οι μαρτυρίες είναι συντριπτικά εναντίον του και η ετυμηγορία των ενόρκων φαίνεται μονόδρομος. Μόνη μάρτυρας για την υπεράσπισή του είναι η αινιγματική σύζυγός του που κρατάει την άκρη του νήματος και τη λύση του γρίφου.
ΤΟ ΒΡΑΒΕΥΜΕΝΟ ΘΕΑΤΡΙΚΟ ΕΡΓΟ ΤΗΣ ΑΓΚΑΘΑ ΚΡΙΣΤΙ, ΣΕ ΠΑΡΑΓΩΓΗ HAPPY PRODUCTIONS, ENA ΣΥΝΑΡΠΑΣΤΙΚΟ ΔΙΚΑΣΤΙΚΟ ΘΡΙΛΕΡ ΜΕ ΣΥΝΕΧΕΙΣ ΑΝΑΤΡΟΠΕΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΠΟΚΑΛΥΠΤΙΚΟ ΦΙΝΑΛΕ.
ΤΟ ΒΡΑΒΕΥΜΕΝΟ ΘΕΑΤΡΙΚΟ ΕΡΓΟ ΤΗΣ ΑΓΚΑΘΑ ΚΡΙΣΤΙ, ΣΕ ΠΑΡΑΓΩΓΗ HAPPY PRODUCTIONS, ENA ΣΥΝΑΡΠΑΣΤΙΚΟ ΔΙΚΑΣΤΙΚΟ ΘΡΙΛΕΡ ΜΕ ΣΥΝΕΧΕΙΣ ΑΝΑΤΡΟΠΕΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΠΟΚΑΛΥΠΤΙΚΟ ΦΙΝΑΛΕ.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1953
7 people are currently reading
320 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Christie
5,798 books75k 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 54 reviews
October 14, 2018
Agatha Christie is the queen of crime for a reason and she does not disappoint here, giving her audience her usual twists and multi-layered case. Witness for the Prosecution is the November 2018 short story read in the group catching up on classics. I am not sure if the group is reading this play or a short story of the same name, but my library had the dramatic version. One can tell that a writer is truly gifted when s(he) can branch out into multiple genres, and Christie is no exception. Reading this short crime thriller made me realize how much I enjoy reading Christie's mysteries in between tougher books, and I hope to return to her many times in the upcoming year.
4 stars
4 stars
May 25, 2014
And I thought she created predictable storylines.
Take a bow m'lady. You are indeed the Queen of Crime!
Take a bow m'lady. You are indeed the Queen of Crime!
September 30, 2021
Young Leonard has been arrested for murder. He befriended an old lady, who changed her will and then was murdered under mysterious circumstances. The housekeeper says that she heard Leonard talking with the old lady near the time of death. Leonard's only alibi is his wife, who states that he was home at the time of the murder. But what jury would believe a wife in the witness box trying to protect her husband?
I loved this mystery! I liked that it is mostly told from the perspective of the lawyers for the defense as they try to find out what really happened and find evidence to prove Leonard's innocence. The plot kept surprising me around every turn, and there are not one but three plot twists at the end! It was completely fascinating.
However, it is not really a mystery plot in that we have to puzzle out the clues. The murder is not solved by a detective figuring it out based on the evidence. It is more of a confession that reveals the truth. I guess that is more dramatic on stage, but personally I prefer the puzzle aspect.
All the characters are interesting, but the two most mysterious are Leonard and his wife. During the whole play, I was trying to figure out what their relationship is really like. Do they really love each other or not? The whole plot hinges on that one point, and it was fascinating to see it all play out.
I loved this mystery! I liked that it is mostly told from the perspective of the lawyers for the defense as they try to find out what really happened and find evidence to prove Leonard's innocence. The plot kept surprising me around every turn, and there are not one but three plot twists at the end! It was completely fascinating.
However, it is not really a mystery plot in that we have to puzzle out the clues. The murder is not solved by a detective figuring it out based on the evidence. It is more of a confession that reveals the truth. I guess that is more dramatic on stage, but personally I prefer the puzzle aspect.
All the characters are interesting, but the two most mysterious are Leonard and his wife. During the whole play, I was trying to figure out what their relationship is really like. Do they really love each other or not? The whole plot hinges on that one point, and it was fascinating to see it all play out.
October 16, 2024
(Play reading event) All that twists + the badass woman protagonist. Fantastic.
August 1, 2022
ROMAINE. (With distinct irony.) You think Miss French looked upon Leonard as a son?
SIR WILFRID. (Flustered.) Yes, I think so. Definitely I think so. I think that could be regarded as quite natural, quite normal under the circumstances.
ROMAINE. What hypocrites you are in this country.
I'm so glad that Agatha transformed her good-but-not-great short story into this amazing play which was, in turn, adapted for the big screen in 1957, starring the brilliant Marlene Dietrich.
In her autobiography, Agatha says: "I had to fight desperately for my chosen end to the play.... Everyone said: 'You can't get away with that,' and wanted a different end - preferably one used in the original short story I had written years ago. The short story...was a mere sketch of an accused person and an enigmatic witness. I stuck out over the end. I don't often stick out for things, I don't always have sufficient conviction, but I had here. I wanted that end. I wanted it so much that I wouldn't agree to have the play put on without it." Brava, Agatha!
As I mentioned, the 1957 adaptation starring Marlene Dietrich is absolutely wonderful. If you love this play, you will love the movie.
There's also a 2016 mini-series which I haven't watched because many reviews mention that the script took major liberties with the story line and added sexual content so, no, I'm sticking with Marlene Dietrich.
This stage play is currently being performed in the coolest venue ever for a courtroom drama: an actual courtroom in London County Hall! When purchasing a ticket, you can choose to sit in one of the galleries upstairs or in a courtroom stall downstairs or IN THE JURY BOX!!! Oh, that would be so much fun! witnesscountyhall.com
Where I found this book: Library ebook containing a collection of Agatha Christie's plays: The Mousetrap and Other Plays.
SIR WILFRID. (Flustered.) Yes, I think so. Definitely I think so. I think that could be regarded as quite natural, quite normal under the circumstances.
ROMAINE. What hypocrites you are in this country.
I'm so glad that Agatha transformed her good-but-not-great short story into this amazing play which was, in turn, adapted for the big screen in 1957, starring the brilliant Marlene Dietrich.
In her autobiography, Agatha says: "I had to fight desperately for my chosen end to the play.... Everyone said: 'You can't get away with that,' and wanted a different end - preferably one used in the original short story I had written years ago. The short story...was a mere sketch of an accused person and an enigmatic witness. I stuck out over the end. I don't often stick out for things, I don't always have sufficient conviction, but I had here. I wanted that end. I wanted it so much that I wouldn't agree to have the play put on without it." Brava, Agatha!
As I mentioned, the 1957 adaptation starring Marlene Dietrich is absolutely wonderful. If you love this play, you will love the movie.
There's also a 2016 mini-series which I haven't watched because many reviews mention that the script took major liberties with the story line and added sexual content so, no, I'm sticking with Marlene Dietrich.
This stage play is currently being performed in the coolest venue ever for a courtroom drama: an actual courtroom in London County Hall! When purchasing a ticket, you can choose to sit in one of the galleries upstairs or in a courtroom stall downstairs or IN THE JURY BOX!!! Oh, that would be so much fun! witnesscountyhall.com
Where I found this book: Library ebook containing a collection of Agatha Christie's plays: The Mousetrap and Other Plays.
April 10, 2023
Hmmm. I'm not quite sure about this one. It was compulsively readable despite having much in the way of repetition, though the ending IMO was somewhat over the top and came on way too suddenly. I wonder would I have liked it more in one of its other forms - as this was apparently first a short story, and has also been made into a film? I'm all for a good twist ending (as witnessed by my review earlier today of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd), but this was just too hasty and out of nowhere for my liking. Also, the stage directions in the acts set in Sir Wilfrid's office drove me to distraction. It's as if they were constantly moving about, up and down the stage, standing and sitting and going to and from the desk for no apparent reason. And I have ample experience reading plays.
Still it was not an unpleasant way to spend an hour or so, and I believe I got this for free while working at the book market last summer. This paperback is in fact even older than my Ackroyd one, and was published in 1958. It's dusty and has some damage to the cover, but it's in remarkably good shape for a 65-year-old. Particularly given that the average paperback apparently lasts between 10 to 20 years.
Still it was not an unpleasant way to spend an hour or so, and I believe I got this for free while working at the book market last summer. This paperback is in fact even older than my Ackroyd one, and was published in 1958. It's dusty and has some damage to the cover, but it's in remarkably good shape for a 65-year-old. Particularly given that the average paperback apparently lasts between 10 to 20 years.
August 21, 2023
Classic Christie. This is a great play, and I'd love to see it performed. The plot not only twists, but it turns itself over and inside-out. A murder trial not to be forgotten!
September 11, 2025
UNA MANIPOLATRICE CON I FIOCCHI
La Christie non smetterà mai di stupirmi, è una manipolatrice perfetta! Ogni suo romanzo, racconto o opera teatrale, anche quello con il finale più scontato del mondo, instilla dubbi pruriginosi nel lettore che, per quanto possa essere certo di come andrà a finire, non potrà fare a meno di vacillare e di dubitare della sua stessa convinzione. Proprio per questo motivo, "Testimone d'accusa" è la mia pièce preferita: è un continuo interrogarsi, ipotizzare e, per finire, un susseguirsi di esclamazioni di sorpresa, soprattutto di fronte alla fulminea quanto efficace conclusione.
La Christie non smetterà mai di stupirmi, è una manipolatrice perfetta! Ogni suo romanzo, racconto o opera teatrale, anche quello con il finale più scontato del mondo, instilla dubbi pruriginosi nel lettore che, per quanto possa essere certo di come andrà a finire, non potrà fare a meno di vacillare e di dubitare della sua stessa convinzione. Proprio per questo motivo, "Testimone d'accusa" è la mia pièce preferita: è un continuo interrogarsi, ipotizzare e, per finire, un susseguirsi di esclamazioni di sorpresa, soprattutto di fronte alla fulminea quanto efficace conclusione.
August 13, 2021
A huge 5 out of 5 stars for another absolutely fantastic play by Dame Agatha Christie. It hooked me like nobody’s business and turned me into an addict for a day. Top marks!
The only thing is, Agatha Christie’s stories are fabulous but formulaic. If you’ve read more than one of her novels, you will know who the killer is without even having to think about it!!
However, it still has a marvellous twist ending despite that, and the play is absolutely top-class reading. Would highly recommend!!
P.S. I highly recommend the 1957 Billy Wilder production with Charles Laughton and Marlene Dietrich, which (having seen it very recently) has become one of my new film obsessions.
The only thing is, Agatha Christie’s stories are fabulous but formulaic. If you’ve read more than one of her novels, you will know who the killer is without even having to think about it!!
However, it still has a marvellous twist ending despite that, and the play is absolutely top-class reading. Would highly recommend!!
P.S. I highly recommend the 1957 Billy Wilder production with Charles Laughton and Marlene Dietrich, which (having seen it very recently) has become one of my new film obsessions.
May 8, 2016
Get ready to experience an insurmountable urge to finish the book in one read. The last 10 pages are just jaw dropping!
November 27, 2024
me leí la obra y la short story y ambas me encantaron. nunca había leído a Agatha Christie pero me mandaron de la facultad este libro. es maravilloso y realmente no te esperas nada de lo que sucede.
December 29, 2020
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Witness for the Prosecution
Witness for the Prosecution (1924)
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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.
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Witness for the Prosecution
Witness for the Prosecution (1924)
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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.
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June 3, 2021
Originally based on a short story, Agatha Christie re-wrote A Witness for Prosecution to be played on the stage; in doing so, she changes much, and creates a new experience. Ira Levin introduces The Mousetrap and Other Plays and in this introduction, he talks about this story specifically with raptures.
The play is shorter than most plays I've ever read, and that makes sense, seeing that it was adapted from a short story; it is also one of the more dramatic, with consistently hilariously dialogue and character-reactions, and an amazing conclusion.
Thematically, the story seems to be most about sexism. The lawyer we see the most of, a Mr. Wilfrid, is often extremely sexist toward most women, with this sexism often following from encounters with Mrs. Heilger; however, all of his sexist remarks are broken and stepped on when the finale is revealed. Quite nice!
The play is shorter than most plays I've ever read, and that makes sense, seeing that it was adapted from a short story; it is also one of the more dramatic, with consistently hilariously dialogue and character-reactions, and an amazing conclusion.
Thematically, the story seems to be most about sexism. The lawyer we see the most of, a Mr. Wilfrid, is often extremely sexist toward most women, with this sexism often following from encounters with Mrs. Heilger; however, all of his sexist remarks are broken and stepped on when the finale is revealed. Quite nice!
March 5, 2023
I haven’t read all of Christie’s books, but of the ones I have (the current count is a bit over 50), Witness for the Prosecution is one of the greatest. At the moment it’s in my top three. It’s by far the best play I’ve ever read (way better than, e.g., the Sherlock Holmes plays).
I have seen Billy Wilder’s fantastic film version (Marlene Dietrich at her very best) a few times, so the play didn’t have the element of surprise. Nevertheless, even though I remembered the ending (most of it anyway), this was simply brilliant.
I’ve never read the original short story version, so I cannot make comparisons. I understand Charles Osborne’s point of view that the play should have ended a couple of pages earlier, i.e., at Sir Wilfrid’s line “I see no reason to change my opinion.” However, the ending that Christie wanted for the play works perfectly fine for me.
Everyone with even a passing interest in Christie’s work really should read Witness for the Prosecution. It’s a masterpiece.
I have seen Billy Wilder’s fantastic film version (Marlene Dietrich at her very best) a few times, so the play didn’t have the element of surprise. Nevertheless, even though I remembered the ending (most of it anyway), this was simply brilliant.
I’ve never read the original short story version, so I cannot make comparisons. I understand Charles Osborne’s point of view that the play should have ended a couple of pages earlier, i.e., at Sir Wilfrid’s line “I see no reason to change my opinion.” However, the ending that Christie wanted for the play works perfectly fine for me.
Everyone with even a passing interest in Christie’s work really should read Witness for the Prosecution. It’s a masterpiece.
July 30, 2024
"Not a word of this is true."
About: Leonard Vole stands accused of murder, and the facts are all against him. He has motive, he has opportunity, and his only alibi is from his wife - who later sits in as a witness for the prosecution. Things are looking black for him, but he swears he isn't guilty...
Thoughts
This is a really great play. The case is compelling, but there's also a bit of light-heartedness that really drew me to the characters. Sir Wilfrid and Mayhew have a great dynamic and the relationships in general, from the very first, feel like they have a layered history. Myers is the kind of buffoon you want to destroy in court and it's satisfying to see even the Judge put him down on occasions.
As always, Christie gives a lot of options and you really strain listening to each witness's statements, trying to spot the clue that will reveal to you the truth. I didn't guess it, and the ending is both satisfying and startling.
An enjoyable mix of cosy and dramatic.
About: Leonard Vole stands accused of murder, and the facts are all against him. He has motive, he has opportunity, and his only alibi is from his wife - who later sits in as a witness for the prosecution. Things are looking black for him, but he swears he isn't guilty...
Thoughts
This is a really great play. The case is compelling, but there's also a bit of light-heartedness that really drew me to the characters. Sir Wilfrid and Mayhew have a great dynamic and the relationships in general, from the very first, feel like they have a layered history. Myers is the kind of buffoon you want to destroy in court and it's satisfying to see even the Judge put him down on occasions.
As always, Christie gives a lot of options and you really strain listening to each witness's statements, trying to spot the clue that will reveal to you the truth. I didn't guess it, and the ending is both satisfying and startling.
An enjoyable mix of cosy and dramatic.
Read
September 25, 2025I think Agatha Christie is, for the most part, just okay, perfectly engaging and readable, but sometimes really smug in a way I do not love (I actually love smug writing but there’s a level of it within her work that I find silly.) This one absolutely did not work for me. I had to read this for work and I literally wanted to die, it’s such a snoozefest. I have high hopes for the movie mainly cause of Wilder’s direction but man I do not like this story. I think Christie stories are strongest when they unfold in a fluid manner, like And Then There Were None or Murder on the Nile, but this one is overly convoluted to the point where it seems silly that anyone would’ve solved this. It’s use of Deus Ex Machina (if you can even really call it that) sucks!
Boring and I have to watch it be performed probably well over 50 times. 😩
Boring and I have to watch it be performed probably well over 50 times. 😩
September 25, 2021
This story has always been one of my favorites because of the twist ending. I would put it close to The Murder of Roger Ackroyd in surprise endings. The play sticks pretty close to the short story, but, once again, the ending is changed & I didn't like it as much as the original ending. Leonard Vole has been arrested & charged with the murder of an older woman he has befriended after rescuing her from a near accident. But he has an alibi; at the time of the murder, he was home with his wife. Feeling confident they can get him aquitted, his lawyers proceed to trial, but are dismayed to find his wife has changed her story. What can they do to save him from being hanged? I enjoyed the play with the exception of the added change to the outcome.
September 6, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this play and was anxious to find out how it would end. And what an ending it was! After a twist that I didn't see coming, there was an amazing ending that totally caught me by surprise. Reading a play by Christie instead of a novel was a nice change for me. Her descriptions and stage directions were very detailed and provided great visual aids for me. It is pleasure for me to also discover she wrote many more plays adapted from her novels. I look forward to reading many more.
December 26, 2021
Wow. This is easily one of the greatest plays I have ever read and my new favorite work of Christie (my favorite novelist). This was a true page turned and I can see myself coming back to this time and again. The ending was easily as surprising as that of Roger Ackroyd, even if it was slightly more theatrical in execution. I can’t wait to watch the Billy Wilder film, and I can only hope that it is accurate to this play. Still, there is no one better to adapt the work of my favorite author than my favorite screenwriter.
February 18, 2018
Witness for the Prosecution
If you haven’t seen the movie,the play is most clever and entertaining. If you have seen the movie, it is better than the original,something l’ve hardly experienced. They’ve fleshed out the characters added even more drama and some humor. Of course,seeing a play,rather than reading it, is a totally different experience and what the author intended.
If you haven’t seen the movie,the play is most clever and entertaining. If you have seen the movie, it is better than the original,something l’ve hardly experienced. They’ve fleshed out the characters added even more drama and some humor. Of course,seeing a play,rather than reading it, is a totally different experience and what the author intended.
May 21, 2024
That was so good! This was my first time reading the play and I had no idea about the ending. I'm so happy I got to experience this story with my Zoom play reading group. Agatha Christie is such a great writer and I cannot wait to read more of her works.
(Ebook read aloud with my Shakespeare Zoom Group)
(Ebook read aloud with my Shakespeare Zoom Group)
June 17, 2017
Weave a story for first 98% of the book (in this case, a play) heading in one direction, twist everything and make you feel angry and irritated because you've been fooled while you feel happy and exalted because you've been fooled in the next 2%, typical of any Agatha Christie work.
December 26, 2018
3.5 stars. It's OK, but in modern terms long for what it is. I'm starting to have my doubts about mysteries on the stage. They're all plot and don't achieve the degree of character insight that I am looking for in a great play.
August 16, 2019
I'm pretty sure this play wasn't based on one of Christie's books. It's actually quite brilliant. Short, sharp and you think you know where it's going for the first two acts and then the third act blindsides you.
October 14, 2020
I had tickets to see this play. As the play was cancelled, I thought it would be a good idea to read the book. Although short in length, it was a great cliff-hanger for a did he/didn't he do it. I had forgotten how much I enjoy reading Agatha Christie.
March 30, 2021
I am quite familiar with this storyline, having read the original short story, seeing the movie and directing a high school production of the play. In fact, I dug out my old copy of the script to reread. So I knew what was coming, but Christie sure knows how to keep us guessing.
December 7, 2017
I must say, these stories are all together not ending like I would have expected, but in quite interesting ways!
February 14, 2019
Excellent play. Authentic dialogue, and a very nice twist.
May 5, 2019
Read the screenplay by Billy Wilder instead of the play by Christie. Wonderful!
March 3, 2020
No one does a climactic twist quite like Agatha.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews