One of the hallmarks of Christie’s works is her ability to keep readers guessing until the very end. She frequently employs the tactic of making the least likely character the ultimate culprit. In And Then There Were None, the guests on a remote island are systematically murdered, and the revelation of the killer’s identity is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Christie’s uncanny ability to subvert expectations made her novels thrilling to the last sentence. The Gathering of Suspects Specifically, it’s hard to take issue with Hugh Laurie’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?. But one mystery remains unsolved – namely, why the series omits an exchange from the book, unless I missed it while my TV was buffering. It’s my favourite piece of Christie dialogue, one I think about most weekdays and one that should be stapled above the desk of every crossword setter and quiz writer.

As a setter, I’ve sometimes forgotten the Evans advice. I’ll confess an example in the hope that other setters might be emboldened to do the same. It’s one where there is simply too much going on for the Everyman series, which has long been the go-to puzzle for beginners and lapsed or occasional solvers. I don't know if they used the poster--I would have--but it seemed like it could really help. It's exactly the same size as the puzzle (19" x 27"). I was glad they included it. The only reason I deducted a star is because when they were finished they framed it--but with the dimensions, had to pay for custom framing. I think the clever designers could have easily made it a size for a standard frame (say, 18" x 24") and saved people a lot of money. Second, our next meeting of the crossword book club will be here in two weeks’ time; a reminder that our current reading is the hilarious Close Quarters by Michael Gilbert. The puzzle box is really nice quality and has a very mild linen finish. On the edge, they have each of the characters drawn out and labeled. The box itself doesn't have the same finish as the puzzle pieces (linen versus soft matte). It also doesn't have the full picture on the box; however, the poster insert does if you want a guide to go off of. Laurence King uses a standard box layout, so they all look good next to each other!

Hunt A Killer: The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge

The advice is hardest to follow when it comes to crosswords, especially cryptics. The setter can never un-see the answer, and there are many easy ways to be hard.

Follow the Queen of Crime’s trail through novels including Murder On The Orient Express, And Then There Were None, Sparkling Cyanide and many more! Do you have what it takes to detect all 90 clues? Includes a fold-out poster detailing each clue and fun facts about Agatha and her works. Hunt for some of Christie’s most noteworthy clues from her iconic mysteries as well as uncovering objects that pinpoint some of Christie’s real-life adventures and inspirations as you assemble this 1000-piece jigsaw. wordplay: going around (‘describing’) abbrev. for ‘New York’, synonym for ‘talk’, both reversed (‘up’), the result containing (‘sandwiches’) I (‘I’) ] Agatha Christie, the undisputed queen of mystery, left an indelible mark on the world of literature with her timeless detective novels. Her intriguing plots, brilliant characters, and unparalleled storytelling have captivated readers for generations. If you’re a fan of the classic whodunit, you’re likely already well-acquainted with Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, two of Christie’s most iconic detectives. In this guide, we will delve into the enchanting world of Agatha Christie’s detective novels, exploring what makes them so irresistible and highlighting some must-read titles. The Queen Of Mystery Another favourite device of Christie’s was gathering all the suspects together in a confined setting, where tension and suspicion run high. Murder at the Vicarage and The Hollow are excellent examples of her skill in creating a setting where every character has a motive, providing ample room for intrigue and misdirection. The Christie PuzzleWhy didn’t they ask Evans?’” Bobby repeated the phrase thoughtfully. “You know, I can’t see what on earth there can be in that to put the wind up anybody.” What was in it for me? What was in it for Woolf? What was in it for O’Neal and Solomon? Why were the crosswords half-finished? Had the patients got better, or died, before completing them? Had they come into hospital to have half their brain removed, and was this the proof of the surgeon’s skill? Who had ripped the covers off these magazines and why? Can the answer to ‘Not a woman (3)’ really be ‘man’?