The Mousetrap: 70th Anniversary Edition

by Agatha Christie

'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.

Genres: Mystery

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2023

About the author

Agatha 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)

Reviews

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Karen Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Carrie DelaPena · Rating 4 out of 5]

(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.

[Jessica Shamble]

Boutta have to read this a thousand more times so i should get some credit

[Baochuan Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Gabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mon premier Agatha Christie! Captivant, mais la découverte du tueur est un peu tiré par les cheveux

[Levi Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!