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Trappola per topi
Un freddo inverno nella campagna inglese. A Monkswell Manor, l’albergo che gestiscono, Mollie e Giles Ralston rimangono bloccati da una bufera di neve insieme a cinque strani ospiti. Tra costoro si cela un omicida che ha già assassinato una persona a Londra. Ma sotto quale travestimento? Ciascuno dei presenti sembra avere qualche cosa da nascondere, qualche segreto legato a un fatto di sangue avvenuto molti anni addietro… Commedia brillante e ricca di suspense, dalla prima messa in scena a Londra, nel 1952, Trappola per topi non ha mai smesso di essere rappresentata. Un caso unico al mondo.
168 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1948
86 people are currently reading
2121 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Christie
5,787 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)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews
January 21, 2025
A killer stalks victims trapped in a manor house during a snowstorm.
Molly and Giles are newlyweds who have inherited a manor house from Molly's aunt. When they decide to turn it into a guest house they have no idea that someone with a tragic past will use it to exact their revenge on the people they feel wronged them.
The house beings to fill up with their first paying guests and the snow starts to fall. A car gets caught in a snowdrift bringing in an unexpected guest in the middle of the night. And finally, a policeman manages to make his way to the house to warn them that there is a killer in their midst.
The first time around I really didn't suspect the killer till the last minute, and lucky me, if I wait a few years I'll be surprised by the killer when I read it again. I've read and listened to this one multiple times and I'm always impressed by it.
I think this is one of the best-known novellas that doesn't feature Poirot.<--I have no actual evidence for that, so take it with a grain of salt.
Three Blind Mice was originally a radio play put on by the BBC in 1947 in honor of Queen Mary, who had requested a story from Christie as an 80th birthday present. She then adapted it into a short story that was published in Cosmopolitan magazine in 1948.
Read in the short story collections Three Blind Mice and Other Stories & Midwinter Murder: Fireside Tales from the Queen of Mystery
Molly and Giles are newlyweds who have inherited a manor house from Molly's aunt. When they decide to turn it into a guest house they have no idea that someone with a tragic past will use it to exact their revenge on the people they feel wronged them.
The house beings to fill up with their first paying guests and the snow starts to fall. A car gets caught in a snowdrift bringing in an unexpected guest in the middle of the night. And finally, a policeman manages to make his way to the house to warn them that there is a killer in their midst.
The first time around I really didn't suspect the killer till the last minute, and lucky me, if I wait a few years I'll be surprised by the killer when I read it again. I've read and listened to this one multiple times and I'm always impressed by it.
I think this is one of the best-known novellas that doesn't feature Poirot.<--I have no actual evidence for that, so take it with a grain of salt.
Three Blind Mice was originally a radio play put on by the BBC in 1947 in honor of Queen Mary, who had requested a story from Christie as an 80th birthday present. She then adapted it into a short story that was published in Cosmopolitan magazine in 1948.
Read in the short story collections Three Blind Mice and Other Stories & Midwinter Murder: Fireside Tales from the Queen of Mystery
March 6, 2019
5/5 stars
Three blind mice, three blind mice,
See how they run, see how they run,
They all ran after the farmer's wife,
Who cut off their tails with a carving knife,
Did you ever see such a thing in your life,
As three blind mice?
Something to listen to while reading this ♥
My first Agatha Christie book was a simple short story, and yet it blew my mind like only a few books have done before. I can barely describe the feeling of sitting somewhere, letting your mind race to theory upon theory about who the murder is, reaching a near impossible theory and feeling like it's the answer, and then feeling it slip off your fingertips like sand.
I cannot describe how incredibly clever and fast paced such a small book can be, fitting so much mystery, and so many complicated, layered and deeply psychological characters in such a small amount of pages. It was genius . Absulutely genius. Plus, this book contained some multiple POV love, which I believe is quite important for crime stories (but I generally enjoy multiple POVs in every story).
The writing was very quick, and the characters were deeply analysed psychologically, but also barely scratched the surface of their thoughts, in order to create an atmosphere of disorder, and let the reader make more assumptions about the killer.
Overall, I believe it is a great starting point for those who want to read Agatha Christie, and I am definitely going to check more works of hers out in the near future ♥
Until the next review, keep reading (and catching killers in stories)
~Mary ♥
Three blind mice, three blind mice,
See how they run, see how they run,
They all ran after the farmer's wife,
Who cut off their tails with a carving knife,
Did you ever see such a thing in your life,
As three blind mice?
Something to listen to while reading this ♥
My first Agatha Christie book was a simple short story, and yet it blew my mind like only a few books have done before. I can barely describe the feeling of sitting somewhere, letting your mind race to theory upon theory about who the murder is, reaching a near impossible theory and feeling like it's the answer, and then feeling it slip off your fingertips like sand.
I cannot describe how incredibly clever and fast paced such a small book can be, fitting so much mystery, and so many complicated, layered and deeply psychological characters in such a small amount of pages. It was genius . Absulutely genius. Plus, this book contained some multiple POV love, which I believe is quite important for crime stories (but I generally enjoy multiple POVs in every story).
The writing was very quick, and the characters were deeply analysed psychologically, but also barely scratched the surface of their thoughts, in order to create an atmosphere of disorder, and let the reader make more assumptions about the killer.
Overall, I believe it is a great starting point for those who want to read Agatha Christie, and I am definitely going to check more works of hers out in the near future ♥
Until the next review, keep reading (and catching killers in stories)
~Mary ♥
June 30, 2019
Finalmente un bel giallo della Christie in cui il lettore non viene illuso, in cui ha la possibilità di valutare gli indizi dell’enigma fin dall’inizio e in cui non spuntino come i funghi all’improvviso nuovi elementi.
Un intreccio da camera chiusa, una casa che affitta le camere e un assassino che si nasconde fra gli ospiti. Chi sarà mai il colpevole? Lettura fresca e piacevole, stavolta mi sono riconciliata con Agatha.
Tre topolini ciechi,
guarda come corrono…
Un intreccio da camera chiusa, una casa che affitta le camere e un assassino che si nasconde fra gli ospiti. Chi sarà mai il colpevole? Lettura fresca e piacevole, stavolta mi sono riconciliata con Agatha.
Tre topolini ciechi,
guarda come corrono…
November 30, 2017
Molly and Giles Davis, a newlywed couple, inherit Monkswell Manor. Though interested in selling the house at first, the Davis decide to turn it into a boarding house instead. Shortly before they are to receive their first guests, a bitter cold and storm decends. Along with the cold, comes a murder. A Mrs. Lyon is murdered and clues suggest that the killer is headed to Monkswell Manor next. Trapped in by a snownstorm, the killer needs to be unmasked before its too late.
The "Three Blind Mice" rhyme is the inspiration for this Christie short story. A young couple opens a boarding house, a murder takes place nearby and with a limited amount of suspects, the killer is among them. In this regard, this work reminded me of 'And Then There Were None', where murder(s) take place in a secluded area and the basis of the story is a children's rhyme. I have said this before but I will say it again, I love Agatha Christie. Wether a full length novel or short story, Christie delivers. There was no shorage of red herrings or misdirection in this brief book. The plot builds gradually to reveal a more complex story than initially expected. The characters are given interesting backstories. The reveal was very much satisfying. Fun fact, this book is based on real events.
This short story is the basis for 'The Mousetrap', a play that has now been running in West End, London for the past 65 years. Requested by Queen Mary herself (as a gift for her 80th birthday), Christie turned 'Three Blind Mice' into 'The Mousetrap' and in 1952 it showed its first performance. And it does not appear to be stopping its showings anytime soon. It was in one these performance that Christie made her last public appereance, at the age of 84. She died shortly after. I would love to see it live.
The "Three Blind Mice" rhyme is the inspiration for this Christie short story. A young couple opens a boarding house, a murder takes place nearby and with a limited amount of suspects, the killer is among them. In this regard, this work reminded me of 'And Then There Were None', where murder(s) take place in a secluded area and the basis of the story is a children's rhyme. I have said this before but I will say it again, I love Agatha Christie. Wether a full length novel or short story, Christie delivers. There was no shorage of red herrings or misdirection in this brief book. The plot builds gradually to reveal a more complex story than initially expected. The characters are given interesting backstories. The reveal was very much satisfying. Fun fact, this book is based on real events.
This short story is the basis for 'The Mousetrap', a play that has now been running in West End, London for the past 65 years. Requested by Queen Mary herself (as a gift for her 80th birthday), Christie turned 'Three Blind Mice' into 'The Mousetrap' and in 1952 it showed its first performance. And it does not appear to be stopping its showings anytime soon. It was in one these performance that Christie made her last public appereance, at the age of 84. She died shortly after. I would love to see it live.
August 3, 2020
🎶🎵 See how they run...
🎶🎵 See how they run...🎶🎵
“Three blind mice” è il titolo di una tradizionale filastrocca infantile inglese.
Tre topolini diventano tre vittime di una vendetta in questo breve racconto che Agatha Christie pubblicò nel 1950. Si tratta di un riadattamento di un radiodramma che prendeva spunto da un fatto di cronaca e che successivamente divenne anche una pièce teatrale con il nome di “Trappola per topi”.
Breve ma intenso non solo per la sottile astuzia, grazie alla quale Agatha Christie è diventata maestra del genere giallo, ma anche per un’atmosfera che ben restituisce un clima del dopoguerra di sospetto.
”... è cosí difficile dimostrare quello che non si è.”
Molly e Gilles sono due novelli sposi che, avuta in eredità una grande casa d’epoca, decidono di aprire una pensione.
Felici ed eccitati per la nuova avventura dovranno fare i conti con un imprevisto:
un biglietto trovato vicino ad un scena del crimine a Londra riporta il loro indirizzo.
Nel frattempo arrivano i primi ospiti e una tempesta di neve li blocca tutti...
”Due parole di otto lettere sono le sole che al momento ci riguardino: una è omicidio, l'altra è pericolo. Su questo dobbiamo tutti concentrare la nostra attenzione.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWIvG...
🎶🎵 See how they run...🎶🎵
“Three blind mice” è il titolo di una tradizionale filastrocca infantile inglese.
Tre topolini diventano tre vittime di una vendetta in questo breve racconto che Agatha Christie pubblicò nel 1950. Si tratta di un riadattamento di un radiodramma che prendeva spunto da un fatto di cronaca e che successivamente divenne anche una pièce teatrale con il nome di “Trappola per topi”.
Breve ma intenso non solo per la sottile astuzia, grazie alla quale Agatha Christie è diventata maestra del genere giallo, ma anche per un’atmosfera che ben restituisce un clima del dopoguerra di sospetto.
”... è cosí difficile dimostrare quello che non si è.”
Molly e Gilles sono due novelli sposi che, avuta in eredità una grande casa d’epoca, decidono di aprire una pensione.
Felici ed eccitati per la nuova avventura dovranno fare i conti con un imprevisto:
un biglietto trovato vicino ad un scena del crimine a Londra riporta il loro indirizzo.
Nel frattempo arrivano i primi ospiti e una tempesta di neve li blocca tutti...
”Due parole di otto lettere sono le sole che al momento ci riguardino: una è omicidio, l'altra è pericolo. Su questo dobbiamo tutti concentrare la nostra attenzione.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWIvG...
September 15, 2023
As a fan of Agatha Christie, I picked this e-book up from my 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 22, 2019
A typical Agatha Christie plot. It didn't strike me as remarkably ingenious, although I definitely satisfied my curiosity about who is the murderer in that famous story.
I will be watching the play The Mousetrap in December and the play is based on this short story.
So yes, now I know how it ends, LOL.
I am pleasantly surprised though that this story had a gay character in it .
3.5 stars!
I will be watching the play The Mousetrap in December and the play is based on this short story.
So yes, now I know how it ends, LOL.
I am pleasantly surprised though that this story had a gay character in it .
3.5 stars!
November 22, 2019
Mysterious tale from Agatha Christie’s perfection !
Agatha Christie, an all time favorite of mine. She is precise, perfect, marvelous and mysterious. A well written delicious tale of coincidence, planning and a conniving murderer. A tangled web of intrigue, confusion and secrecy.
Strangers drawn together for a nefarious person’s will.
Enjoy !
=====
Agatha Christie, an all time favorite of mine. She is precise, perfect, marvelous and mysterious. A well written delicious tale of coincidence, planning and a conniving murderer. A tangled web of intrigue, confusion and secrecy.
Strangers drawn together for a nefarious person’s will.
Enjoy !
=====
January 25, 2021
Full review later.
January 9, 2024
Il più classico dei gialli classici: un gruppo di persone bloccato dalla neve in una pensione. Benché non si conoscano, sembrano essere tutti collegati tra di loro e improvvisamente qualcuno di loro muore.
Il movente sembra chiaro ma il colpevole no, fino al colpo di scena finale.
Purtroppo avevo visto in tv un riadattamento molto libero (ma avevo riconosciuto la situazione) e quindi conoscevo già il colpevole, ma si tratta veramente di una soluzione sorprendente.
I dialoghi comunque sono una meraviglia. C'è una citazione su Canto di Natale che non smette di farmi ridere.
Il movente sembra chiaro ma il colpevole no, fino al colpo di scena finale.
Purtroppo avevo visto in tv un riadattamento molto libero (ma avevo riconosciuto la situazione) e quindi conoscevo già il colpevole, ma si tratta veramente di una soluzione sorprendente.
I dialoghi comunque sono una meraviglia. C'è una citazione su Canto di Natale che non smette di farmi ridere.
March 3, 2025
This rating is for the edition adapted by John W. Ivimey and illustrated by Paul Galdone.
This is Paul Galdone’s last book published before his death.
Having grown up with the traditional version of Three Blind Mice (the plight of the mice deeply saddened me a child), I was excited to discover this turn-of-the- 20th-century “Complete Version” written by British author, John W. Ivimey, which includes a prequel and a happy epilogue.
Finally the mice have found some peace and healing!
This is Paul Galdone’s last book published before his death.
Having grown up with the traditional version of Three Blind Mice (the plight of the mice deeply saddened me a child), I was excited to discover this turn-of-the- 20th-century “Complete Version” written by British author, John W. Ivimey, which includes a prequel and a happy epilogue.
Finally the mice have found some peace and healing!
September 25, 2024
5 Stars. One of the most famous short stories ever written. Why? First a correction, it's a novella, but more importantly, it's the basis for the longest running play of all time. 'The Mousetrap' broke records everywhere, running in London over 65 years until COVID closed it in 2020, and in Toronto for more than 25 years. The story first appeared in the US in 'Cosmopolitan' in 1948; I read it in the collection, 'Three Blind Mice and Other Stories' from 1950. Written to honour Queen Mary on her 80th birthday, it has a simple plot. Guests at a new country inn just being launched are snowed-in by a terrible winter storm - drifts blocking roads and downed power lines. Is this England? Sounds like my Canada on occasion! The young couple who own Monkswell Manor, Molly and Giles Davis, know little of their guests. As long as they pay! Before the storm reaches its full impact, they get an urgent call from the local police at the request of Scotland Yard, "We need to see you." Sergeant Trotter soon arrives on skis and warns them of a killer coming their way. He or she may already be present. Distrust and suspicion abound. Then there's a murder. I loved it. (Mar2021/Se2024)
May 7, 2018
Birichini a Paddington
Il superpotere del sottoscritto, fagocitare film horror sino a schiattare per avvenuta saturazione fisiologica, aiuta non poco nel decriptare il romanzo breve qui presente (forse letto da altre parti come copione teatrale, ma potrei sbagliarmi).
L'autrice, come da prassi, gestisce bene l'atmosfera claustrofobica del luogo chiuso nonché i personaggi coinvolti all'interno del dramma; solo che, come detto prima, basta conoscere alcuni meccanismi sfruttati nei film dell'orrore per anticipare la risoluzione del caso.
Ecco, un po' di pensiero laterale e pazienza nell'arrivare alla conclusione.
Gradevole, in fin dei conti.
Il superpotere del sottoscritto, fagocitare film horror sino a schiattare per avvenuta saturazione fisiologica, aiuta non poco nel decriptare il romanzo breve qui presente (forse letto da altre parti come copione teatrale, ma potrei sbagliarmi).
L'autrice, come da prassi, gestisce bene l'atmosfera claustrofobica del luogo chiuso nonché i personaggi coinvolti all'interno del dramma; solo che, come detto prima, basta conoscere alcuni meccanismi sfruttati nei film dell'orrore per anticipare la risoluzione del caso.
Ecco, un po' di pensiero laterale e pazienza nell'arrivare alla conclusione.
Gradevole, in fin dei conti.
February 4, 2025
Wow! Agatha Christie wrote the first gay character in Christopher Wren that I have encounter in the decades reading this author and when I say gay I do not mean happy like she usually means, Wren who was also happy liked the policeman immediately and was not quiet about it. This is a fabulous mystery with a great ensemble of characters. No one writes locked room mysteries like her especially when the weather conspires to keep a killer inside a house full of suspects.
Read
December 23, 2021অনুবাদ চলে টাইপ। সেবারটাই বেস্ট।
November 4, 2025
4⭐️
This was a good closed-door murder mystery, and one that I totally called!! 👏🏻👏🏻
This was a good closed-door murder mystery, and one that I totally called!! 👏🏻👏🏻
September 12, 2022
Dame Agatha and Her Peers
Brilliant. Perfect. A rite-of-passage for anyone who loves mysteries. Even better on stage as The Mousetrap.
Brilliant. Perfect. A rite-of-passage for anyone who loves mysteries. Even better on stage as The Mousetrap.
July 23, 2019
কালো ওভারকোট, ধুসর হ্যাট, গলায় মাফলার, মাঝারি উচ্চতার বিশেষত্বহীন লোকটা এসে দাঁড়ালো লন্ডনের কালভার স্ট্রিটের ৭৪ নম্বর বাড়িটার সামনে। ফ্যাঁসফ্যাসে গলায় খোঁজ করলো মিসেস লিয়নের। দোতালায় উঠে গেল লোকটা, ঠোঁটে শিষের সুরে বাজছে পরিচিত রাইম, 'থ্রি ব্লাইন্ড মাইস...!' খুন হয়ে গেলেন মিসেস লিয়ন!
মলি ও গিলেস ডেভিসের বিয়ে হয়েছে বছর পেরোয়নি। বিশ্বযুদ্ধের সময় দু'সপ্তাহের পরিচয়ে তাদের প্রেম এবং পরিণয়। যুদ্ধের ডামাডোল মিটে যেতে, মলির খালার কাছ থেকে উত্তরাধিকার সূত্রে পাওয়া ভিক্টোরিয়ান আমলের বিশাল বাড়িতে গেস্ট হাউস খুলে বসলো দু'জনে। পত্রিকায় বিজ্ঞাপন দিলো অতিথির জন্য।
তিনজন গেস্ট চিঠি লিখে যোগাযোগ করলেন - বদমেজাজি মধ্যবয়সী মিসেস বয়েল, রাশভারি অবসরপ্রাপ্ত মেজর মেটকাফ আর তরুন বাচাল মিস্টার রেন। অতিথিরা এসে পৌঁছাতে পৌঁছাতেই শুরু হলো প্রচন্ড তুষারপাত। সে রাতে হাজির হলেন অনাহুত আরেক অতিথি, জানালেন বরফে গাড়ি আটকে গেছে। ফরাসি বয়স্ক ভদ্রলোক নিজের ওয়ালেট দেখালেন, নাম লেখা - মিস্টার পারাভিসিনি।
পরদিন সকালটা বাজেভাবে শুরু হলো মলির। বরফ পড়া বেড়েই চলেছে, বাইরের জগতের সাথে বিচ্ছিন্ন হয়ে গেল তারা। সবাইকে চমকে দিয়ে থানা থেকে সুপারিন্টেন্ডেন্ট হগবেনের ফোন এলো। একজন সার্জেন্টকে পাঠাচ্ছে পুলিশ!
প্রচন্ড তুষারপাতের মধ্যেই স্কি করে চলে এলো মরিয়া সার্জেন্ট ট্রটার। এসে জানালো, বিষয়টি জরুরি, লন্ডনের মিসেস লিয়নের খুনীর পকেট থেকে পড়ে যাওয়া নোটবুকে এই গেস্ট হাউসের নাম পাওয়া গেছে। ধারণা করা হচ্ছে, খুনী এবং খুনীর পরবর্তী শিকার - এখানেই উপস্থিত আছে।
প্রাথমিক ধাক্কাটা হজম করার আগেই - খুন হয়ে গেল একজন। বরফের মধ্যে ফাঁদে আটকা পড়া মানুষগুলো আতংকিত হয়ে উঠলো! কেউ কাউকে আর বিশ্বাস করে উঠতে পারছে না! পারাভিসিনির কি সত্যিই গাড়ি দুর্ঘটনা ঘটেছিল? রেনের বয়সটা একেবারে খুনীর বয়সের সাথে মিলে যায় না? মলি আর গিলেস-ই বা কতটুকু চেনে একে অপরকে?
পরের খুনটা কে হতে যাচ্ছে?
রহস্যের রানী আগাথা ক্রিস্টির অসাধারণ একটি ছোটগল্প 'থ্রি ব্লাইন্ড মাইস'। শিরোনামটা নেওয়া হয়েছে নার্সারি রাইম থেকে, ছড়ার সাথে রহস্যেরও একটা মিল আছে।
ব্রিটেনের রানীর জন্মদিনের উপহার হিসেবে ১৯৪৭ সালে আগাথা ক্রিস্টি রেডিও নাটক আকারে রহস্যকাহিনীটি লিখেন। পরের বছর ক্রিস্টি একে একটি ছোটগল্প'র আকার দেন। ১৯৫০ সালে 'থ্রি ব্লাইন্ড মাইস এন্ড আদার শর্ট স্টোরিস' নামে ছোটগল্পের সংকলনে গল্পটি স্থান পায় এবং আমেরিকায় প্রকাশিত হয়। ইউকে'তে নাট্যরূপটি 'দ্য মাউসট্র্যাপ' নামে থিয়েটারে প্রায় ৬০ বছর ধরে চলেছে। প্রতিটি শো'য়ের শেষে দর্শকদের অনুরোধ করা হতো এর রহস্যটি অন্যদের কাছে বলে না দেওয়ার জন্য।
'থ্রি ব্লাইন্ড মাইস' ছোটগল্পটি 'ফাঁদ' নামে রকিব হাসানের অনুবাদে বাংলায় প্রকাশিত হয়েছে। ১৯৬০ সালে প্রেমেন্দ্র মিত্রের নির্দেশনায়, গল্পটি অবলম্বনে একটি বাংলা সিনেমাও তৈরী হয়, নাম 'চুপি চুপি আসে'।
আগাথা ক্রিস্টির আরো অনেক গল্পের মতোই, এই গল্পটিরও প্লটটি তিনি পান ১৯৪৫ সালে ব্রিটেনে ঘটে যাওয়া সাড়া জাগানো একটি সত্যঘটনা থেকে। নভেলাটিতে বাড়তি কোন মেদ নেই, প্রতিটি শব্দ এবং দৃশ্যের মাধ্যমেই ক্রিস্টি দুর্দান্তভাবে সাসপেন্স জমিয়ে তুলেছেন। প্রতিটি চরিত্রের মনস্তত্ত্ব নিয়ে খেলা করে শেষ পর্যন্ত পাঠকের জন্য দারুন চমক রেখে দিয়েছেন লেখিকা।
মলি ও গিলেস ডেভিসের বিয়ে হয়েছে বছর পেরোয়নি। বিশ্বযুদ্ধের সময় দু'সপ্তাহের পরিচয়ে তাদের প্রেম এবং পরিণয়। যুদ্ধের ডামাডোল মিটে যেতে, মলির খালার কাছ থেকে উত্তরাধিকার সূত্রে পাওয়া ভিক্টোরিয়ান আমলের বিশাল বাড়িতে গেস্ট হাউস খুলে বসলো দু'জনে। পত্রিকায় বিজ্ঞাপন দিলো অতিথির জন্য।
তিনজন গেস্ট চিঠি লিখে যোগাযোগ করলেন - বদমেজাজি মধ্যবয়সী মিসেস বয়েল, রাশভারি অবসরপ্রাপ্ত মেজর মেটকাফ আর তরুন বাচাল মিস্টার রেন। অতিথিরা এসে পৌঁছাতে পৌঁছাতেই শুরু হলো প্রচন্ড তুষারপাত। সে রাতে হাজির হলেন অনাহুত আরেক অতিথি, জানালেন বরফে গাড়ি আটকে গেছে। ফরাসি বয়স্ক ভদ্রলোক নিজের ওয়ালেট দেখালেন, নাম লেখা - মিস্টার পারাভিসিনি।
পরদিন সকালটা বাজেভাবে শুরু হলো মলির। বরফ পড়া বেড়েই চলেছে, বাইরের জগতের সাথে বিচ্ছিন্ন হয়ে গেল তারা। সবাইকে চমকে দিয়ে থানা থেকে সুপারিন্টেন্ডেন্ট হগবেনের ফোন এলো। একজন সার্জেন্টকে পাঠাচ্ছে পুলিশ!
প্রচন্ড তুষারপাতের মধ্যেই স্কি করে চলে এলো মরিয়া সার্জেন্ট ট্রটার। এসে জানালো, বিষয়টি জরুরি, লন্ডনের মিসেস লিয়নের খুনীর পকেট থেকে পড়ে যাওয়া নোটবুকে এই গেস্ট হাউসের নাম পাওয়া গেছে। ধারণা করা হচ্ছে, খুনী এবং খুনীর পরবর্তী শিকার - এখানেই উপস্থিত আছে।
প্রাথমিক ধাক্কাটা হজম করার আগেই - খুন হয়ে গেল একজন। বরফের মধ্যে ফাঁদে আটকা পড়া মানুষগুলো আতংকিত হয়ে উঠলো! কেউ কাউকে আর বিশ্বাস করে উঠতে পারছে না! পারাভিসিনির কি সত্যিই গাড়ি দুর্ঘটনা ঘটেছিল? রেনের বয়সটা একেবারে খুনীর বয়সের সাথে মিলে যায় না? মলি আর গিলেস-ই বা কতটুকু চেনে একে অপরকে?
পরের খুনটা কে হতে যাচ্ছে?
রহস্যের রানী আগাথা ক্রিস্টির অসাধারণ একটি ছোটগল্প 'থ্রি ব্লাইন্ড মাইস'। শিরোনামটা নেওয়া হয়েছে নার্সারি রাইম থেকে, ছড়ার সাথে রহস্যেরও একটা মিল আছে।
ব্রিটেনের রানীর জন্মদিনের উপহার হিসেবে ১৯৪৭ সালে আগাথা ক্রিস্টি রেডিও নাটক আকারে রহস্যকাহিনীটি লিখেন। পরের বছর ক্রিস্টি একে একটি ছোটগল্প'র আকার দেন। ১৯৫০ সালে 'থ্রি ব্লাইন্ড মাইস এন্ড আদার শর্ট স্টোরিস' নামে ছোটগল্পের সংকলনে গল্পটি স্থান পায় এবং আমেরিকায় প্রকাশিত হয়। ইউকে'তে নাট্যরূপটি 'দ্য মাউসট্র্যাপ' নামে থিয়েটারে প্রায় ৬০ বছর ধরে চলেছে। প্রতিটি শো'য়ের শেষে দর্শকদের অনুরোধ করা হতো এর রহস্যটি অন্যদের কাছে বলে না দেওয়ার জন্য।
'থ্রি ব্লাইন্ড মাইস' ছোটগল্পটি 'ফাঁদ' নামে রকিব হাসানের অনুবাদে বাংলায় প্রকাশিত হয়েছে। ১৯৬০ সালে প্রেমেন্দ্র মিত্রের নির্দেশনায়, গল্পটি অবলম্বনে একটি বাংলা সিনেমাও তৈরী হয়, নাম 'চুপি চুপি আসে'।
আগাথা ক্রিস্টির আরো অনেক গল্পের মতোই, এই গল্পটিরও প্লটটি তিনি পান ১৯৪৫ সালে ব্রিটেনে ঘটে যাওয়া সাড়া জাগানো একটি সত্যঘটনা থেকে। নভেলাটিতে বাড়তি কোন মেদ নেই, প্রতিটি শব্দ এবং দৃশ্যের মাধ্যমেই ক্রিস্টি দুর্দান্তভাবে সাসপেন্স জমিয়ে তুলেছেন। প্রতিটি চরিত্রের মনস্তত্ত্ব নিয়ে খেলা করে শেষ পর্যন্ত পাঠকের জন্য দারুন চমক রেখে দিয়েছেন লেখিকা।
May 9, 2016
4.5 stars.
Several books by Agatha Christie have such brilliant twists that it's impossible to forget them, no matter how many years later you re-read them. Mousetrap is one of them; however, this second read was still highly enjoyable, also because I did not remember much about the plot in general.
Besides a fantastic twist (which is, truth be told, quite impossible to guess; but it remains incredible!) the play also has great characters. I must say I had forgotten all of them, but this second time I was really impressed at how good they are characterized. They are presented with just a few lines, and yet it is extremely easy to distinguish them. The most amusing is without a doubt Mr. Paravicini, a very mysterious and peculiar character who resembles Poirot a lot.
I would love to see this played live... hopefully, someday I will!
Several books by Agatha Christie have such brilliant twists that it's impossible to forget them, no matter how many years later you re-read them. Mousetrap is one of them; however, this second read was still highly enjoyable, also because I did not remember much about the plot in general.
Besides a fantastic twist (which is, truth be told, quite impossible to guess; but it remains incredible!) the play also has great characters. I must say I had forgotten all of them, but this second time I was really impressed at how good they are characterized. They are presented with just a few lines, and yet it is extremely easy to distinguish them. The most amusing is without a doubt Mr. Paravicini, a very mysterious and peculiar character who resembles Poirot a lot.
I would love to see this played live... hopefully, someday I will!
May 29, 2016
I kind of suspected who was the murderer in this short novella, but I enjoyed it anyway.
August 31, 2022
Though Three Blind Mice isn't a favorite, it held my interest and I enjoyed the characters. I've wanted to see Christie's play The Mouse Trap and didn't realize it was an adaptation of this novella.
April 21, 2021
A causa di una bufera di neve, i due proprietari di una pensione familiare rimangono bloccati al suo interno assieme ai loro cinque ospiti. Ma non sanno che tra di loro si cela un assassino, l’assassino che nel pomeriggio stesso ha ucciso una donna a Londra. Il movente sembra essere legato a una vicenda di cronaca nera avvenuta anni prima, quando uno dei figli adottivi di una coppia che abitava nelle vicinanze era morto a causa delle percosse inflitte dalla matrigna. Ma cosa avranno in comune gli ospiti dell’albergo con questa vicenda?
Un racconto della Christie sotto forma di commedia teatrale, corto e scorrevole. Devo dire che essendo abituata agli intrecci arzigogolati dei suoi romanzi, mi aspettavo qualcosa di più. Tuttavia è una lettura piacevole per chi avesse voglia di leggere un breve giallo in stile Agatha Christie.
Un racconto della Christie sotto forma di commedia teatrale, corto e scorrevole. Devo dire che essendo abituata agli intrecci arzigogolati dei suoi romanzi, mi aspettavo qualcosa di più. Tuttavia è una lettura piacevole per chi avesse voglia di leggere un breve giallo in stile Agatha Christie.
September 27, 2017
"Trappola per topi" non è altro che la messa in opera teatrale del racconto "Tre topolini ciechi". Pur non avendo letto il racconto, mi hanno subito attirato la storia, l'atmosfera ed i personaggi. Delineati con tratti rapidi, come in tutti gli scritti teatrali, i protagonisti hanno qualcosa da nascondere, tutti. La Christie riesce a mandare in confusione la mente degli spettatori e quella dei personaggi, facendo sospettare di tutto e di tutti. È in grado, inoltre, di intrecciare al classico romanzo giallo una storia alla Oliver Twist, un po' Dickensiana, un po' tristemente reale. Fa tutto questo con una maestria che si nota anche in una scrittura teatrale, così rapida e poco descrittiva. Bella pensata.
December 12, 2017
Non riesco mai a prevedere tutti i colpi di scena. Mai. Avevo pensato ad un paio e solo mezzo si è realizzato. Ogni volta che leggo la Christie rimango a bocca aperta, mi lascia sempre meravigliata. L'atmosmera è un po' claustrofobica, come spesso succede, i personaggi non sono pochi da tenere d'occhio ma sono sempre gli stessi, la filastrocca mette ansia. Vederlo in teatro deve aver fatto tutto un altro effetto però.
September 30, 2018
Avevo toppato in pieno... di solito riesco ad intuire chi sia l'assassino, ma questa volta avevo puntato sul tizio sbagliato.
Anzi, man mano che passavano le pagine continuavo a cambiare idea.
Per fortuna non sono un poliziotto altrimenti saremmo messi male...
Anzi, man mano che passavano le pagine continuavo a cambiare idea.
Per fortuna non sono un poliziotto altrimenti saremmo messi male...
December 14, 2016
There's a reason she's the best.
January 22, 2023
such a brilliant short story
4.5
4.5
December 28, 2021
টিভি দেখছিলাম, আর সাথে মাঝে মাঝে এটার দিকে তাকিয়ে এক-দুই লাইন পড়ার চেষ্টা করছিলাম। এই বইয়ের প্রতি এতো অনীহার কারণ- বিগত ছয় মাস যাবত আমি কোন থ্রিলার পড়তে কিংবা হজম করতে পারছিলাম না। অসহ্য বোধ হচ্ছিল এই জনরার বইগুলোকে। কয়েক লাইন করে করে এক ঘণ্টার মতো সময় নষ্ট করেছি। এরপর ১০ কি ১২ পৃষ্ঠায় পৌঁছনোর পর মনে হলো, "আরেব্বাস! বেশ ইন্টারেস্টিং তো!" এরপর টিভির রুম ছেড়ে ফাকা রুমে গিয়ে বসেছি, যেন কয়েক মিনিট না যেতেই দেখছি- আমার বইয়ের প্রায় অর্ধেকটা পড়া শেষও হয়ে গেছে। এরপর আরো কিছুক্ষণ পর দেখছি- আর মাত্র ১০ পৃষ্ঠার মতো বাকি আছে। সময় কোন ফাঁকে গেছে বুঝতেই পারিনি!
অ্য়াকচুয়াল রেটিং- ৩.৫/৫
প্রথম 💥 হচ্ছে, বইয়ের শুরুতে অমুক জায়গায় খুন হয়ে গেল তমুক/ _ জায়গায় খুঁজে পাওয়া গেল একটি লাশ! - টাইপের কোন লেখা লেখা ছিল না এজন্য।
দ্বিতীয় 💥, লেখিকা ক্যারেক্টারগুলোর প্রতি মায়া জন্মাতে পেরেছেন।
তৃতীয় 💥, এন্ডিংয়ের কথাগুলোর আগ পর্যন্ত আমি খুব একটা বুঝতে পারিনি খুনি কে হতে পারে।
আর বাকি ০.৫ কেন?
আমি আসলে বুঝতে পারছিলাম যে, অনুবাদটা অনেক বেশিই ভালো হয়েছে। (ওয়েইট, এর মানে এই না যে আমি স্বজনপ্রীতি দেখাচ্ছি। এটা সত্য যে, অনুবাদক আমার অনেক বেশি পরিচিত। তবে, ট্রাস্ট মি, বাস্তব অভিজ্ঞতা থেকে পাক্কা শিওরিটি দিতে পারি, অনুবাদের জন্য কাউকে এই বই কিনে আফসোস করতে হবে না।) আর আমি এই ব্যাপারগুলোতে খুব খুব-ই পরিমাণে খুঁতখুঁতে। তা, সেক্ষেত্রে আমি সন্তুষ্ট।😀😀
অ্য়াকচুয়াল রেটিং- ৩.৫/৫
প্রথম 💥 হচ্ছে, বইয়ের শুরুতে অমুক জায়গায় খুন হয়ে গেল তমুক/ _ জায়গায় খুঁজে পাওয়া গেল একটি লাশ! - টাইপের কোন লেখা লেখা ছিল না এজন্য।
দ্বিতীয় 💥, লেখিকা ক্যারেক্টারগুলোর প্রতি মায়া জন্মাতে পেরেছেন।
তৃতীয় 💥, এন্ডিংয়ের কথাগুলোর আগ পর্যন্ত আমি খুব একটা বুঝতে পারিনি খুনি কে হতে পারে।
আর বাকি ০.৫ কেন?
আমি আসলে বুঝতে পারছিলাম যে, অনুবাদটা অনেক বেশিই ভালো হয়েছে। (ওয়েইট, এর মানে এই না যে আমি স্বজনপ্রীতি দেখাচ্ছি। এটা সত্য যে, অনুবাদক আমার অনেক বেশি পরিচিত। তবে, ট্রাস্ট মি, বাস্তব অভিজ্ঞতা থেকে পাক্কা শিওরিটি দিতে পারি, অনুবাদের জন্য কাউকে এই বই কিনে আফসোস করতে হবে না।) আর আমি এই ব্যাপারগুলোতে খুব খুব-ই পরিমাণে খুঁতখুঁতে। তা, সেক্ষেত্রে আমি সন্তুষ্ট।😀😀
March 7, 2020
Riletto nell'edizione speciale del '79 dei Classici del Giallo Mondadori, quella con copertina oro che contiene sia il testo teatrale che il racconto da cui è tratto (Tre topolini ciechi). Più alcune foto in un inserto centrale e un breve saggio finale di Ida Omboni. Tutto ciò ne fa una preziosa edizione per collezionisti.
Il commento su pièce e racconto, è inutile ribadirlo, è che Dame Agatha anche stavolta ha costruito un intreccio semplice, ma perfetto, con indizi sottili e sottintesi che solo un lettore o uno spettatore attento coglie al volo.
Il sogno? Vedere la commedia a teatro dal vivo, prima o poi.
Il commento su pièce e racconto, è inutile ribadirlo, è che Dame Agatha anche stavolta ha costruito un intreccio semplice, ma perfetto, con indizi sottili e sottintesi che solo un lettore o uno spettatore attento coglie al volo.
Il sogno? Vedere la commedia a teatro dal vivo, prima o poi.
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