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Witness for the Prosecution and Selected Plays
This is the first-ever publication in book form of Witness for the Prosecution, Christie's highly successful stage thriller which was made into a film by Billy Wilder. Also included are Towards Zero, Verdict and Go Back for Murder.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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About the author
Agatha Christie
5,193?books71.4k?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 (n¨¦e 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
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§¡§Ô§Ñ§ä§Ñ §¬§â?§ã§ä? (Ukrainian)
¦¡¦Ã¦Ê?¦È¦Á ¦ª¦Ñ?¦Ò¦Ó¦É (Greek)
¥¢¥¬¥µ ¥¯¥ê¥¹¥Æ¥£ (Japanese)
°¢¼Îɯ¡¤¿ËÀòË¿µÙ (Chinese)
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (n¨¦e 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
§¡§Ô§Ñ§ä§Ñ §¬§â§Ú§ã§ä§Ú (Russian)
§¡§Ô§Ñ§ä§Ñ §¬§â?§ã§ä? (Ukrainian)
¦¡¦Ã¦Ê?¦È¦Á ¦ª¦Ñ?¦Ò¦Ó¦É (Greek)
¥¢¥¬¥µ ¥¯¥ê¥¹¥Æ¥£ (Japanese)
°¢¼Îɯ¡¤¿ËÀòË¿µÙ (Chinese)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
August 6, 2019
Finally four acclaimed stage thrillers in one compilations. The first is Witness for Prosecution that premiered at The Winter Garden theater, London on 28th October, 1953. Presented by Peter Saunders, it was directed by Wallace Douglas. The play adapted from the short story of the same name has a different but better ending. The Second play is Towards Zero based on novel of the same name. It premiered at St James Theater, London on 4th Sep, 1956. Produced by Peter Saunders, it was directed by Murray MacDonald. The third play is Verdict, which is original play written by Christie not based on any of her novels or short stories. The play premiered at the Strand Theater , London on 22nd May, 1958. Presented by Peter Saunders, it was directed by Charles Hickman. The fourth play in the collection is Go back to Murder based on novel Five Little Pigs. However in the stage version Christie left out Poirot. This play premiered at Duchess Theater, London. Presented by Peter Saunders, it was directed by Hubert Gregg
April 5, 2023
The Witness for the Prosecution is a story/play by Agatha Christie that was originally published for the first time in 1933 as part of the collection?The Hound of Death. The plot centers around the arrest of Leonard Vole for the murder of Emily French, a wealthy older woman and the suspicion of whether he committed the crime.
Things get more complicated as the trial begins and evidence come out...
It has been adapted several times on stage as well as TV shows/movies. I'm also excited about watching the 1957 film adaptation with Marlene Dietrich.
Things get more complicated as the trial begins and evidence come out...
It has been adapted several times on stage as well as TV shows/movies. I'm also excited about watching the 1957 film adaptation with Marlene Dietrich.
July 25, 2009
This is my favorite Agatha. And yes, I've actually read them all! (Even read a few in French.) While many of her mysteries are formulaic and sometimes even poorly edited (especially her later books), this one is solid, fascinating, and strong throughout. I highly recommend it!
March 4, 2016
This is one of the most confusing Agatha Christie books I've ever read. There are so many different angles that I didn't completely understand the story until the last paragraph.
July 23, 2022
a bit melodramatic but that was so feminist of agatha christie!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2024
Plot synopsis: A foreign woman gets the better of nativist and misogynistic English men. (As she often does, Christie is writing more than merely a cozy mystery.)
Every character is a storyteller, and the trial is a competition over who can tell the most persuasive story. The winner gets to define what is real (but not what is true).
Every character is a storyteller, and the trial is a competition over who can tell the most persuasive story. The winner gets to define what is real (but not what is true).
October 29, 2012
Oh. My. Gawd. Brilliant, as always. Reading the last page left me deliciously chilled. Agatha Christie's plots are too superior.
December 29, 2020
A collection worth looking forward to reading those I haven't yet read and recalling those one has known over decades.
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Witness for the Prosecution
Witness for the Prosecution (1924)
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Looking forward to reading it, having loved the portrayal by Marlene Dietrich of the wife who loved her husband, not realising he wasn't merely the criminal but intended to cheat her after she'd saved his life - and the superb lawyer who, having realised she'd conned him, turns to save her, nevertheless, knowing she was innocent and her being espxecuted for a murder committed by the husband had been his plan all along!
December 28, 2020.
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Towards Zero
After well over four decades, having forgotten most of it including the name, one still vividly recalls the old woman brutally murdered, the door locked from within, the window on the river but high up, the impossibility of someone climbing in to bludgeon her because there was no space, the tennis player with a powerful back hand, or was it a lefty?
December 28, 2020.
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Verdict
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Go Back for Murder
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December 29, 2020.
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Witness for the Prosecution
Witness for the Prosecution (1924)
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Looking forward to reading it, having loved the portrayal by Marlene Dietrich of the wife who loved her husband, not realising he wasn't merely the criminal but intended to cheat her after she'd saved his life - and the superb lawyer who, having realised she'd conned him, turns to save her, nevertheless, knowing she was innocent and her being espxecuted for a murder committed by the husband had been his plan all along!
December 28, 2020.
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Towards Zero
After well over four decades, having forgotten most of it including the name, one still vividly recalls the old woman brutally murdered, the door locked from within, the window on the river but high up, the impossibility of someone climbing in to bludgeon her because there was no space, the tennis player with a powerful back hand, or was it a lefty?
December 28, 2020.
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Verdict
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Go Back for Murder
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December 29, 2020.
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July 28, 2021
This year, I have been reading a lot of Agatha Christie, so I decided to read this collection of 4 stage plays.
?The first play is called The Witness for the Prosecution and is one of her most popular plays. Christie is one of my all-time favourite authors and it was good to read a type of legal courtroom thriller from the Queen of Crime.
?The second play is called Towards Zero and explores the events that lead up to the murder of an old rich lady. Among the suspects are a man, his new wife and his old wife, as all 3 were house guests at the time of murder for a fortnight. It explores the psychology of jealousy between relationships.
?Third play is called Verdict. It features a murder, but is not a conventional mystery. It is more focused on exploring what extremes people go to when they fall in love with someone.
?The last play is called Go back for Murder. It features a 21 year old young lady who recruits a lawyer to find out if her mother actually poisoned her father 15 years ago. She meets all the friends of her parents including his mistress who was also present in the house at the time of murder. I absolutely loved reading this play. Of all 4 plays, this is the one that I would most like to see on stage.
I noticed that all 4 of these plays are on the themes of adultery. We know how she felt about the subject as Christie herself was cheated on by her first husband. It saddens me to think that she may have taken inspiration for some of the characters in her plays from her first marriage.
Overall, I enjoyed reading all 4 plays and have the book 5 stars of 5.
#bookreviews #agathachristie #plays
?The first play is called The Witness for the Prosecution and is one of her most popular plays. Christie is one of my all-time favourite authors and it was good to read a type of legal courtroom thriller from the Queen of Crime.
?The second play is called Towards Zero and explores the events that lead up to the murder of an old rich lady. Among the suspects are a man, his new wife and his old wife, as all 3 were house guests at the time of murder for a fortnight. It explores the psychology of jealousy between relationships.
?Third play is called Verdict. It features a murder, but is not a conventional mystery. It is more focused on exploring what extremes people go to when they fall in love with someone.
?The last play is called Go back for Murder. It features a 21 year old young lady who recruits a lawyer to find out if her mother actually poisoned her father 15 years ago. She meets all the friends of her parents including his mistress who was also present in the house at the time of murder. I absolutely loved reading this play. Of all 4 plays, this is the one that I would most like to see on stage.
I noticed that all 4 of these plays are on the themes of adultery. We know how she felt about the subject as Christie herself was cheated on by her first husband. It saddens me to think that she may have taken inspiration for some of the characters in her plays from her first marriage.
Overall, I enjoyed reading all 4 plays and have the book 5 stars of 5.
#bookreviews #agathachristie #plays
February 26, 2023
Read again February 2016. Witness for the Prosecution is a my favorite Agatha Christie so far. Read quite a few of the books over the years.
I saw the film first in college. The plot surprised me. I didn¡¯t see it coming. It was with Tyrone Power, Marlena Dietrich and Charles Laughton - a great cast- directed by Billy Wilder - a great director. So well done. So well written. First time meeting Charles Laughton. Wow! The movie was in black and white - and the cinematography helped add to the suspense and mood or noir at times.
I had never read it until a few years back. I really enjoyed it a lot. Different then the typical Agatha Christie - no Poirot or Ms Marple. It was a court case. And was about a couple. He, Vole, was accused of killing a wealthy spinster who was leaving her wealth to him in her will. He says his wife, Romaine, will confirm his alibi. She doesn¡¯t. And then the plot tightly twists. I was hooked. The Solicitor is a terrific character. The wife is a strong female character. And I won¡¯t say more about her or their relationship.
I didn¡¯t see what was coming the first time round, but even now there were many little things I had forgotten that made the suspense and story oh so good! The writing of this was tight and extremely well done. I liked it more then all other things I have read of hers so far. And there is still much of her work left to be read. I read somewhere she wrote 80 books.
I saw the film first in college. The plot surprised me. I didn¡¯t see it coming. It was with Tyrone Power, Marlena Dietrich and Charles Laughton - a great cast- directed by Billy Wilder - a great director. So well done. So well written. First time meeting Charles Laughton. Wow! The movie was in black and white - and the cinematography helped add to the suspense and mood or noir at times.
I had never read it until a few years back. I really enjoyed it a lot. Different then the typical Agatha Christie - no Poirot or Ms Marple. It was a court case. And was about a couple. He, Vole, was accused of killing a wealthy spinster who was leaving her wealth to him in her will. He says his wife, Romaine, will confirm his alibi. She doesn¡¯t. And then the plot tightly twists. I was hooked. The Solicitor is a terrific character. The wife is a strong female character. And I won¡¯t say more about her or their relationship.
I didn¡¯t see what was coming the first time round, but even now there were many little things I had forgotten that made the suspense and story oh so good! The writing of this was tight and extremely well done. I liked it more then all other things I have read of hers so far. And there is still much of her work left to be read. I read somewhere she wrote 80 books.
July 7, 2022
The Book was a very enjoyable read. It consists of four stage thrillers (plays) by Agatha Christie which are as follows:-
1) Witness for the prosecution:- Agatha Christie regarded it as one of the best plays she had ever written along with the Verdict. The play is based on the short story of the same name but the end is a bit changed and is more satisfying and thrilling.
2) Towards Zero:- It was based on the novel Towards Zero and keeps you guessing of the killer till the end.
3) Verdict:- It was an original play not based on any novel or short story. It was a bit different as the murder is committed on the stage and the readers know who is the murderer. The play is a bit slow in pace but keeps you engaged to know the end.
4) Go back for Murder:- The play is based on the novel Five little pigs but Poirot is edited out and a new lawyer Justin Fogg is introduced. The play is a page turner,thrilling and keeps you glued till the end to know the real culprit.
1) Witness for the prosecution:- Agatha Christie regarded it as one of the best plays she had ever written along with the Verdict. The play is based on the short story of the same name but the end is a bit changed and is more satisfying and thrilling.
2) Towards Zero:- It was based on the novel Towards Zero and keeps you guessing of the killer till the end.
3) Verdict:- It was an original play not based on any novel or short story. It was a bit different as the murder is committed on the stage and the readers know who is the murderer. The play is a bit slow in pace but keeps you engaged to know the end.
4) Go back for Murder:- The play is based on the novel Five little pigs but Poirot is edited out and a new lawyer Justin Fogg is introduced. The play is a page turner,thrilling and keeps you glued till the end to know the real culprit.
June 14, 2024
Overall 4 stars
Witness for the Prosecution
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4/5 stars
Kind of guessed the end but was completely misdirected on one of the characters and the actual finale was a shocker.
Towards Zero
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4/5 stars
I think it's called a double blind?
Kept me guessing"
Verdict
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3/5 stars
A good play but didn't enjoy it as much as the other two.
Go back for murder
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5/5 stars
I've read this before, although not in play format. I remember it being a Poirot mystery. He doesn't feature in the play at all. Still really good. I could remember most of the plot except who the murderer was!
Witness for the Prosecution
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4/5 stars
Kind of guessed the end but was completely misdirected on one of the characters and the actual finale was a shocker.
Towards Zero
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4/5 stars
I think it's called a double blind?
Kept me guessing"
Verdict
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3/5 stars
A good play but didn't enjoy it as much as the other two.
Go back for murder
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5/5 stars
I've read this before, although not in play format. I remember it being a Poirot mystery. He doesn't feature in the play at all. Still really good. I could remember most of the plot except who the murderer was!
January 28, 2021
Almost 100 years later, and this play still plays! The rewritten ending is absolutely worth Christie's trouble. The plot beautifully plays off stereotypes still held in 2021. The dialogue paints descriptive scenes of previous events, despite it being a courtroom drama. I admit I like this play better than Mousetrap for the more dramatic twist ending and the simpler motives between characters (rather than childhood-born vendettas). This play has more complex characters and the reader doesn't have to think so much about the staging. Favorite Christie so far!
August 20, 2022
The second volume of plays by Agatha Christie - ¡®Witness for the Prosecution¡¯ is the famous one - and is currently on in London¡¯s old County Hall building. Of the other three, two are based on novels, the other is an original story.
¡®Towards Zero¡¯ was my favourite in the collection - partly because it¡¯s based on an extremely dark novel. I do wonder - given the continuing popularity of Christie whether we¡¯ll see some of these revived on the West End Stage?
¡®Towards Zero¡¯ was my favourite in the collection - partly because it¡¯s based on an extremely dark novel. I do wonder - given the continuing popularity of Christie whether we¡¯ll see some of these revived on the West End Stage?
January 8, 2018
I only read this for the one story - Witness for the Prosecution - but I most likely will revisit to read the rest of the stories. Agatha Christie did it again. I didn't see it coming - not even til the last words! I never suspect the outcome and what happens in ANY of her stories. Definitely a great read!
June 11, 2018
I'm embarrassed to admit that it's been one of my greatest mistakes to not have read Agatha Christie's works earlier in my life.
Edit: The forced happy endings in all of these four plays weren't necessary. I would have been more moved by these stories had there been a painful ending in at least, a few of them.
Edit: The forced happy endings in all of these four plays weren't necessary. I would have been more moved by these stories had there been a painful ending in at least, a few of them.
August 11, 2018
Even better than Ten Little Indians, or And Then There Were None.
It was made into a movie, with Marlene Dietrich as the wife. You'll never forget it if you see it. The play is wonderful, too. The BBC has done a radio adaptation, too. I've read/seen/listened to them all.
My absolute favorite by the Dame.
It was made into a movie, with Marlene Dietrich as the wife. You'll never forget it if you see it. The play is wonderful, too. The BBC has done a radio adaptation, too. I've read/seen/listened to them all.
My absolute favorite by the Dame.
August 24, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Agatha Christie's "Witness for the Prosecution". I was very intrigued by the story and was unable to put it down until I was finished reading. The suspense and the drama was truly riveting. I enjoyed the somewhat witty ending, I found it very clever. The story was also beautifully written. I would highly recommend this story to a friend.
January 28, 2018
I would recommend the Charles Laughton film version, but a stage version I am sure would be worth seeing. I have seen The Mousetrap and, in my view, based on the text, this is better. Superb whodunnit stuff!
July 12, 2020
Entertaining selection of short sceneries with last minute plot twists. Some were better then others. This is a light read to pass the time and is great if you want to just read for a little or only have a little bit of time to read. Worth reading, not my favorite of Christie¡¯s writing.
January 13, 2022
As always with Agatha Christie, one tries to figure out the ending eliminating the obvious suspect - yet it never really works with this lady. She confuses one first and then dishes out a big surprise.
April 17, 2025
Typical Christie with fewer characters. This review is for the story Witness for the Prosecution only. After reading and hearing of several ending changes, I was glad my edition had the original ending. Quite the twist and typically Christie.
January 23, 2018
Christie at her best! She knows how to give us twists and knots!
December 27, 2018
Witness for the Prosecution is one of my favorite books and was made into one of my favorite movies
April 13, 2020
Towards Zero, Go Back for Murder, Towards Zero .. All great plays.
May 30, 2021
Very Clever.
November 9, 2021
Amazing short stories. It was a nice change from her usual stories. I find it funny that this is the Poirot series when he only appears in the last story. ?
February 6, 2022
Queen of crime never disappoints me.
Dumbfounded after reading "Witness for the prosecution".
Dumbfounded after reading "Witness for the prosecution".
February 19, 2022
One of the best books of Agatha Christie. The development of character of Leonard is impressive, the end is surprising. Worth reading!
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April 20, 2022Enjoyed reading some of these much loved Agatha Christie mysteries. Even reading some of them over again they still hold your interest.
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