I’m pretty sure that I’ve read “Three Blind Mice” before. I couldn’t remember any of the details but it just felt familiar, and I wasn’t surprised by the ending.
A blinding snowstorm was not an auspicious beginning, but Molly and Giles Davis were determined to make a go of their new guest house, but among their first guests at Monkswell Manor was a murderer. The man, or woman, had already killed one “blind mouse” and is planning on catching number two and three.
Christie does an excellent job of making the atmosphere menacing. You can understand why the character’s jump at every little noise, why they each suspect each other. She makes all of the people in the Manor plausible suspects,and interesting characters. It’s interesting to see how they each become more and more scared, more suspicious of the others, but at the same time some enjoy the mystery, the tension, the excitement. It’s a departure from the ordinary. The twist at the end is excellent, and I won’t say anymore than that.
“Three Blind Mice” is longer than an average short story, about 70 pages. Christie also transformed the story into a play, “The Mousetrap” which opened in London in 1952 and has been running continuously since then, making it the longest running show of the modern era.
You can purchase Three Blind Mice and Other Stories at Amazon or an Indie bookstore.
First published 1950
5 out of 5 stars
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I borrowed my copy from the library and the above is my honest opinion.
All your Agatha Christie posts make me want to re-read all her books again. It’s been so long since I read one of her mysteries. I can’t recall whether I’ve read Three Blind Mice, though I have a feeling that I have.
That’s a pretty interesting piece of trivia (re: longest running show of the modern era). I take it you’ve not seen it performed yet?
No. It would definitely be on my list if I ever get to London, though.
I love “The Mousetrap”. I’ve read the play several times, but have never seen it. Would love to sometime. AC was a master of the “locked room” mystery.
Funny how you sometimes pick up books again and again not remembering that you read them but then having the feeling that you did.
You seem to be on a roll with these mystery stories. 🙂 So glad to see you loved this one. Thanks for the wonderful review.