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The Mousetrap: 70th Anniversary Edition
'Even more thrilling than the plot is the atmosphere of shuddering suspense . . . No one brews it better than Agatha Christie' Daily Express
For more than 70 years, Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap has kept millions of people, from every corner of the globe, on the edge of their seats, and it continues to be a sell-out hit of London theatre. This brand new edition of the world's longest-running play contains a new introduction by Sophie Hannah, bestselling author of the authorised Agatha Christie Poirot continuation novels, as well as the official play script and a host of exclusive material from the show's archives.
As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of seven strangers find themselves in a remote countryside guesthouse. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover - to their horror - that a killer is in their midst. One by one, the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts. Which one is the murderer? Who will be their next victim? And can you solve this world-famous mystery for yourself?
This beautiful 70th anniversary edition contains an introduction by Sophie Hannah, the official playscript, an exclusive interview with producer Adam Spiegel, a treasure trove of letters, speeches, photographs, and other fascinating insights into the making of this iconic play.
For more than 70 years, Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap has kept millions of people, from every corner of the globe, on the edge of their seats, and it continues to be a sell-out hit of London theatre. This brand new edition of the world's longest-running play contains a new introduction by Sophie Hannah, bestselling author of the authorised Agatha Christie Poirot continuation novels, as well as the official play script and a host of exclusive material from the show's archives.
As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of seven strangers find themselves in a remote countryside guesthouse. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover - to their horror - that a killer is in their midst. One by one, the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts. Which one is the murderer? Who will be their next victim? And can you solve this world-famous mystery for yourself?
This beautiful 70th anniversary edition contains an introduction by Sophie Hannah, the official playscript, an exclusive interview with producer Adam Spiegel, a treasure trove of letters, speeches, photographs, and other fascinating insights into the making of this iconic play.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 30, 2023
About the author
Agatha Christie
6,093 books78k 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 9, 2025
As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of seven strangers find themselves in a remote countryside guesthouse. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover - to their horror - that a killer is in their midst.
I went to see this play in London and WOW! I absolutely loved it! Agatha's Christie's dialogue is fantastic and I loved how the twists and turns developed. I got the book at the theatre - they even stamp it with your performance number - and read it the next day. When you know whodunit, it's fun seeing how everything comes together. I can tell why this is the longest running play - Agatha Christie is a genius!
I went to see this play in London and WOW! I absolutely loved it! Agatha's Christie's dialogue is fantastic and I loved how the twists and turns developed. I got the book at the theatre - they even stamp it with your performance number - and read it the next day. When you know whodunit, it's fun seeing how everything comes together. I can tell why this is the longest running play - Agatha Christie is a genius!
July 2, 2026
Trust me. This review contains no spoilers. The secret of whodunnit is locked in my heart.
Well, I'm a little confused now. I read quite a few Agatha Christie books when I was a kid (and a couple as an adult). But I didn't think I'd ever read The Mousetrap so I was happy to snap up this 70th anniversary copy and give it a whirl. I don't remember any bit of it as I was reading it. In fact, I was completely enthralled by the fascinating and diverse characters, as well as by the intense, claustrophobic setting. So...no recollection of the story. It felt new and fun and exciting.
And I figured it out.
So now I'm thinking I must have read it already, even if I don't remember it. I don't feel ready to claim that I somehow outfoxed the tens of thousands of people who have watched this play on its (still-active) record-setting run of shows in London (74 years and counting! (not counting the COVID year, of course)). But somehow I did.
So...NOW I'm thinking maybe I *did* read it, but I just can't remember. It's not often I've figured out the secrets of a book by the Queen of Crime, so it feels easier to believe that the solution to the mystery was laying dormant somewhere in my brain, waiting for that sleeper cell moment when it all comes roaring back with - if not every detail - at least the critical memory of who the killer was.
LIke I said, feels kinda cheaty on my part. Ah, well. It doesn't take away from the fact that it's a great story, and it's well-deserving of its epic run. I enjoyed the story, and I can well imagine how much fun it would be to see on stage. A mystery thriller is one of my favorite things to see live in the theatre. I saw Deathtrap with my friend Reuben in the leading role decades ago at the Pier One Theatre in Homer, Alaska. I saw Sleuth at a Bay Area theatre, and I even saw the tremendous Corpse! back in Palo Alto my freshman year at Stanford. Mystery thrillers on the stage are the best! And I'm thrilled I got to "see" this one by reading it. Great mystery, great read!
Also the bonus materials in this particular copy are a delight. Early reviews of the play, a detailed timeline of its growth and continued success, and some wonderful pictures of past casts (including Sir Patrick Stewart and Ser Jorah Mormont himself, Iain Glen, in the same cast! The addition of all this extra subject matter, along with the terrific play itself, makes this edition a top-flight winner. It all comes together as a big celebration of something truly record-breaking and magnificent. Highly recommended. This one's definitely worth your time, especially if you're a Christie fan and haven't wolfed it down already.
I hope to someday see this one in London itself. It would be great fun to watch. (Those other three were great, too. But try to find Corpse! playing somewhere now, I dare you. I can't see it anywhere.) Make sure to see the show if you get a chance, and definitely read the source material. You'll see why it's been on stage for over 70 years.
Well, I'm a little confused now. I read quite a few Agatha Christie books when I was a kid (and a couple as an adult). But I didn't think I'd ever read The Mousetrap so I was happy to snap up this 70th anniversary copy and give it a whirl. I don't remember any bit of it as I was reading it. In fact, I was completely enthralled by the fascinating and diverse characters, as well as by the intense, claustrophobic setting. So...no recollection of the story. It felt new and fun and exciting.
And I figured it out.
So now I'm thinking I must have read it already, even if I don't remember it. I don't feel ready to claim that I somehow outfoxed the tens of thousands of people who have watched this play on its (still-active) record-setting run of shows in London (74 years and counting! (not counting the COVID year, of course)). But somehow I did.
So...NOW I'm thinking maybe I *did* read it, but I just can't remember. It's not often I've figured out the secrets of a book by the Queen of Crime, so it feels easier to believe that the solution to the mystery was laying dormant somewhere in my brain, waiting for that sleeper cell moment when it all comes roaring back with - if not every detail - at least the critical memory of who the killer was.
LIke I said, feels kinda cheaty on my part. Ah, well. It doesn't take away from the fact that it's a great story, and it's well-deserving of its epic run. I enjoyed the story, and I can well imagine how much fun it would be to see on stage. A mystery thriller is one of my favorite things to see live in the theatre. I saw Deathtrap with my friend Reuben in the leading role decades ago at the Pier One Theatre in Homer, Alaska. I saw Sleuth at a Bay Area theatre, and I even saw the tremendous Corpse! back in Palo Alto my freshman year at Stanford. Mystery thrillers on the stage are the best! And I'm thrilled I got to "see" this one by reading it. Great mystery, great read!
Also the bonus materials in this particular copy are a delight. Early reviews of the play, a detailed timeline of its growth and continued success, and some wonderful pictures of past casts (including Sir Patrick Stewart and Ser Jorah Mormont himself, Iain Glen, in the same cast! The addition of all this extra subject matter, along with the terrific play itself, makes this edition a top-flight winner. It all comes together as a big celebration of something truly record-breaking and magnificent. Highly recommended. This one's definitely worth your time, especially if you're a Christie fan and haven't wolfed it down already.
I hope to someday see this one in London itself. It would be great fun to watch. (Those other three were great, too. But try to find Corpse! playing somewhere now, I dare you. I can't see it anywhere.) Make sure to see the show if you get a chance, and definitely read the source material. You'll see why it's been on stage for over 70 years.
September 17, 2025
A solid 4.5. I probably would have given it 5 stars, but I guessed the culprit. I also didn't know that it was going to be in play format, but I acclimated pretty quickly and couldn't put it down. I think it would be hard to guess for most, but I have read so many Agatha Christie books and one in particular that had me leaning towards someone. I know it is the longest running play in London and still going strong, but I didn't realize it had been running for over 70 years! The book gave a lot of information, pictures and news articles/interviews from when it first started to present and all the actors who have played the roles over that period. Even though I now know who did it, I would love to still see the play one day.
February 1, 2026
(Actually rated 3.5 stars, but rounded up since it's a classic). The 70th anniversary edition consists of the play script, an interview with the current producer on the West End, the first notices, a brief history of the production, a cast of characters and a list of actors who portrayed them. I have seen the play and knew the solution, but it was still fun to read. All the extra info was really interesting. Some day I would love to see the play performed in London and hear the Keeping the Secret curtain speech where it all began.
May 25, 2026
I performed this play in high school, probably 13 years ago now inside a historical house, but have forgotten so much about it! Reading this play was so nostalgic and brought back so many special memories of late night rehearsals and getting ready for performances in the upstairs rooms. I really enjoyed it and forgot who the murderer was, so the reveal was a treat!
April 25, 2026
I WANT MY OWN COPY SIGHS I read "Three Blind Mice" years ago but it stuck with me and when I read this, even though I knew who the murderer was, Christie's execution is so amazing that it keeps me flipping the next page. Can't wait to watch this in July heh
May 23, 2026
I Love Agatha Christie’s Work
I love reading her books, because they help me travel back in time to a much simpler life and time. Her books never fail to start my mind wandering around the lives of her characters. I have yet to be disappointed in any of her books.
I love reading her books, because they help me travel back in time to a much simpler life and time. Her books never fail to start my mind wandering around the lives of her characters. I have yet to be disappointed in any of her books.
June 30, 2026
i remember reading this when i had broke my foot, and my music teacher came over to chat with me. we discussed christie and told me that he was only watching adaptations of her works for the attractive men in them. i didn’t know how to respond
July 2, 2026
i watched this play last year and was blown away. this time reading it, although i'd forgotten most of the plot, took away a little of the magic but perhaps that was because i read it after a night of no sleep and was a little skittish. oops!
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August 18, 2025Boutta have to read this a thousand more times so i should get some credit
November 13, 2025
I saw the play in London 20 years ago, the book remind me of the play that I saw. It is very intersting to see the play on the page.
January 8, 2026
Mon premier Agatha Christie! Captivant, mais la découverte du tueur est un peu tiré par les cheveux
October 30, 2025
Reading via zoom with my small online play group - this was good fun! Our personal challenge was because one member was reading from a slightly different version of The Mousetrap (this 70th anniversary edition is "the official playscript and the backstage material" and says, "This script is the version of the play performed on stage today. Over the last 70 years there have been small changes made to the stage directions and occasional use of language, but otherwise the text remains close to Agatha Christie's original."
Enjoyed doing it and, for two of us, the ending WAS a surprise!
Enjoyed doing it and, for two of us, the ending WAS a surprise!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews