"I like a good detective story, but they begin in the wrong place! They begin with the murder. But the murder is the end. The story begins long before that." So remarks esteemed criminologist Mr. Treves. Truer words have never been spoken, for a psychopathic killer has insinuated himself, with cunning manipulation, into a quiet village on the river Tern. But who is his intended victim? What are his unfathomable motives? And how and when will he reach...

The Argyle family is far from pleased to discover one of its number has been posthumously pardoned for murder--if Jacko Argyle didnt kill his mother, who did? Dr. Arthur Calgary takes a ferry across the Rubicon River to Sunny Point, the home of the Argyle family. A year before, the matriarch of the family was murdered and a son, Jack, was convicted and sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison. Throughout the trial Jack had maintained his...

Mark Easterbrook investigates the brutal death of Father Gorman, a Catholic priest who had just heard the deathbed confession of longtime town gossip Mrs. Davis. On his body, Father Gorman had a list of names, supposedly related to Mrs. Davis' confession. As Mark delves deep into the mystery, he uncovers a series of startling secrets.

Novel is set in a restored London hotel which continues to court a pre-World War II clientele to mix with guests who exhibit changing contemporary values. The plot centers on the efforts of Miss Jane Marple to uncover a gang of criminals who are using Bertram's as their home base and endangering the lives of innocent guests.

An old woman in a nursing home speaks of a child buried behind the fireplace& When Tommy and Tuppence visited an elderly aunt in her gothic nursing home, they thought nothing of her mistrust of the doctors; after all, Ada was a very difficult old lady. But when Mrs Lockett mentioned a poisoned mushroom stew and Mrs Lancaster talked about "something behind the fireplace", Tommy and Tuppence found themselves caught up in an unexpected adventure involving...

Hercule Poirot investigates the double suicide deaths of Lord and Lady Ravenscroft that occurred twelve years ago. There are hints that it was not suicide after all.

An autobiography, published in 1977, a year after her death, tells of Christie's fascinating private life, from early childhood through two marriages and two World Wars, and her experiences both as a writer and on archaeological expeditions with her second husband, Max Mallowan. The book reveals not only the true genius of her legendary success, but the story is vividly told and as captivating as one of her novels.

Lymstock is a town with more than its share of shameful secrets- a town where even a sudden outbreak of anonymous hate mail causes only a minor stir. But all that changes when one of the recipients, Mrs. Symmington, commits suicide. Her final note says "I can't go on," but Miss Marple questions the coroner's verdict of suicide. Soon nobody is sure of anyone- as secrets stop being shameful and start becoming deadly.--From back cover.

In this "hilarious burlesque of detective fiction" (New York Times), Tommy and Tuppence Beresford adopt the methods and manners of every major literary detective from Hercule Poirot to Sherlock Holmes to piece together an increasingly complex series of delightfully different and deadly misdeeds.

From the stunning title story to the rarest gems in detective fiction, these tales of baffling crime and brilliant deduction showcase Agatha Christie at her very best.