The Listerdale Mystery by Agatha Christie

The Butler did it!

This turned out to be a fun read that kept me guessing until the very end. That's all you can really ask for in a traditional mystery story that hinges almost entirely upon the climactic revelation. For these kind of stories, the "big reveal" is indicative of the author's cleverness while exposing the narrative design operating behind the scenes leading towards this pivotal moment. If the story is at all successful, it will usually elicit a visceral and satisfying response from the reader akin to: Ah-ha! I didn't see that coming. The Listerdale Mystery does just that and even without the famous Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple on the case, there's enough intrigue to keep the pages turning a steady pace. 

The Listerdale Mystery follows a struggling family whose luck seems to take a sudden turn for the better although perhaps it is too good to be true. The mother figure responds to a newspaper ad offering a grand estate for an absurdly low rent, which she assume must be a scam. But against all odds, she’s chosen from the many applicants to move in. There is a slight caveat although it doesn't seem like much of inconvenience: The house’s servants must remain, looking after the new tenants as if nothing has changed.

At first, the mother hesitates, but soon she embraces their newfound good fortune. Her son, however, is far less convinced. He suspects something sinister or even murderous is at play. Where is the estate’s former owner? Could he be buried within the very walls of their new home? Or worse, could the killer still be lurking among the servant staff, watching their every move and waiting to strike next?

There’s a reason Agatha Christie is hailed as the queen of detective fiction. Her ability to consistently turn out suspenseful and engaging mysteries within the confined structure of the short-story form is almost unmatched. While I wouldn't exactly consider The Listerdale Mystery as one of her more memorable works, it still carries her signature charming wit. If you’re in the mood for a cozy low-stakes mystery, this one is worth  checking out.