Book Review: The Mousetrap

I have seen this play twice on the stage. Both times, it was excellent, it is one of the longest-running plays in the world and, in my humble opinion, is the quintessential British crime drama; It is by Agatha Christie, no less! ‘Quintessential’ is a fitting epitaph for the Queen of Crime.

Tradition dictates that the ending is never revealed - the secret must be kept with those who are in the know. So, the end or any aspects of the plot, this time, I shall try not to reveal except the bare particulars. A woman was found dead in London; the police want to find a man who was seen in the area around the time the woman was killed. It is snowing heavily, and the occupants of the newly opened guest house, Monkswell Manor, are in danger of being snowed in. All seems well until a policeman knocks on the door… it becomes clear - the snow doesn't just trap the occupants but are being stalked by a killer.

Having seen the play, I knew what to expect, but the reason why I wanted to read the play was for the notes, the stage directions and - as is typical with Christie’s books and plots - a map of the crime scene. They are fascinating to look at as occasionally, the notes add texture to the characters and direct them on how to act, stand, dress, and enter - all you can think of. It's not usual to see these notes in plays produced today, as theatre is generally left open to interpretation. However, it seems that Christie had a sharp idea of exactly how this play should be staged and from the live performances, it has remained untouched and unchanged from her original plans.

To end, I hope this play continues on the Westend - it is the only work of Agatha Christie where the copyright has not been sold to film or television. It should stay that way. It is an excellent play, worth reading and worth seeing. Every time.