Showing results by author "Agatha Christie" in All Categories

In Agatha Christie’s short story, “The Chocolate Box,” Poirot describes a case he was unable to solve. Investigating the apparent poisoning of a popular Belgian civil servant, Poirot goes undercover to expose the murderer, only to discover the case is not so tidy as he thinks. But who could have wanted the man dead? This short story originally appeared in the May 23, 1923 issue of The Sketch magazine.

Jane Cleveland is in desperate need of a job, and when she sees an ad for a woman of her description needed to impersonate a grand duchess, she cannot believe her luck. The royal retainers tell Jane that the job will be dangerous because attempts have been made on the Grand Duchess Pauline's life, but this only serves to make the job more appealing. Jane's disguise initially goes according to plan, but when she is kidnapped and drugged, it appears that her new employers are not all that they seem....

Agatha Christie is the most widely published author of all time and in any language. Now Collins has adapted her famous detective novels for English language learners. These books have been carefully adapted using the Collins COBUILD grading scheme to ensure that the language is at the correct level for an intermediate learner. This book is Level 4 in the Collins ELT Readers series. Level 4 is equivalent to CEF level B2 with a word count of 20,000-26,000 words.

First there was the mystery of the film star and the diamond; then came the “suicide” that was murder; the mystery of the absurdly cheap flat; a suspicious death in a locked gun room; a million dollar bond robbery; the curse of a pharaoh’s tomb; a jewel robbery by the sea; the abduction of a prime minister; the disappearance of a banker; a phone call from a dying man; and, finally, the mystery of the missing will.

An urgent cry for help brings Poirot to France. But he arrives too late to save his client, whose brutally stabbed body now lies face downwards in a shallow grave on a golf course. But why is the dead man wearing his son's overcoat? And who was the impassioned love-letter in the pocket for? Before Poirot can answer these questions, the case is turned upside down by the discovery of a second, identically murdered corpse.

As instructed, stenographer Sheila Webb let herself into the house at 19 Wilbraham Crescent. It was then that she made a grisly discovery: the body of a dead man sprawled across the living-room floor. What intrigued Poirot about the case was the time factor. Although in a state of shock, Sheila clearly remembered having heard a cuckoo clock strike 3.00. Yet, the four other clocks in the living room all showed the time as 4.13. Even more strange: only one of these clocks belonged to the owner of the house.

Heading for the French Rivieria, recently retired detective Hercule Poirot boards Le Train Bleu in London. This luxury trip, however, quickly turns south—in more ways than one. When the train arrives in Nice, France, American heiress Ruth Kettering is found murdered, and the Heart of Fire ruby that just came into her possession from her father has vanished in an apparent robbery. Add in a jilted husband, a secret lover, and a supposed curse on the missing gemstone, and it's a mystery that just might lure Poirot from his supposed retirement.

Nick Buckley was an unusual name for a pretty young woman. But then she had led an unusual life. First, on a treacherous Cornish hillside, the brakes on her car failed. Then, on a coastal path, a falling boulder missed her by inches. Later, an oil painting fell and almost crushed her in bed. Upon discovering a bullet-hole in Nick's sun hat, Hercule Poirot decides the girl needs his protection. At the same time, he begins to unravel the mystery of a murder that hasn't been committed. Yet.

Hercule Poirot will eigentlich Kürbisse in einem kleinen, ruhigen Ort züchten und plötzlich sieht er sich mit zwei Leichen konfrontiert. Dass fast alle Einwohner bald unter Mordverdacht stehen, hält den belgischen Meisterdetektiv nicht davon ab, den Fall zu lösen.

A man witnesses a murderous attack on a young woman in a mirror - yet when he turns round there is nothing there. Can he prevent a premonition coming true? Basic human loyalty and jealousy are at the fore in this chilling tale.

Durante el famoso baile de la Victoria, al que todo Londres asiste disfrazado, el vizconde de Cronshaw aparece apuñalado y su novia, Coco, muerta por una sobredosis de cocaína al día siguiente. Uno de los casos más peculiares que el gran detective Hércules Poirot y su compañero Hastings resolverán ingeniosamente. Durante el famoso baile de la Victoria, al que todo Londres asiste disfrazado, el vizconde de Cronshaw aparece apuñalado y su novia, Coco, muerta por una sobredosis de cocaína al día siguiente.

La acaudalada familia Waverly ha recibido cartas extorsivas amenazando con secuestrar al pequeño Johnnie, de tres años. La policía apenas ha prestado atención a la denuncia de los padres; cuando finalmente sucede el secuestro, la madre desesperada acude a Hércules Poirot.

At a séance, Sir Alington, a venerable expert of the mental condition, is pestered by Mrs. Eversleigh about the importance of the sixth sense. Soon, a young man named Dermot is drawn in and tells them both about the sixth sense he experiences, a red signal that spells danger. He is about to tell them of the last time he saw the red signal when he stops himself. The last time he had the signal was earlier that very evening. But how could there be danger at a simple gathering of old friends?

Collins brings the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, to English language learners. Agatha Christie is the most widely published author of all time and in any language. Now Collins has adapted her famous detective novels for English language learners. These carefully abridged versions are shorter with the language targeted at learners of English.

A retelling of the Christmas Story in a way you've never heard it before.... The fable of a donkey who carries a mother and child safely to Egypt.... The tale of a widow who dislikes people until she meets a stranger.... From the most popular writer of all time comes a treasured collection of short stories and poems celebrating the holiday season. This special edition also contains a wealth of Agatha Christie rarities - not only all the stories, poems, and illustrations from her long out-of-print book Star over Bethlehem (1965) but also a reproduction of all her rare poetry.

Sir George and Lady Stubbs, the hosts of a village fête, hit upon the novel idea of staging a mock murder mystery. In good faith, Ariadne Oliver, the well known crime writer, agrees to organise their murder hunt. Despite weeks of meticulous planning, at the last minute Ariadne calls her friend Hercule Poirot for his expert assistance. Instinctively, she senses that something sinister is about to happen. Beware: nobody is quite what they seem!

Agatha Christie is the most widely published author of all time and in any language. Now Collins has adapted her famous detective novels for English language learners. These carefully abridged versions are shorter with the language targeted at learners of English.

Summer. Holiday season. A time for rest and relaxation. But murder can strike anywhere, as this selection of an ‘unlucky 13’ mysteries by Agatha Christie proves. Join Hercule Poirot, Christopher Parker Pyne, Harley Quin and James Bond on this special holiday-themed collection, and take a dip into these short stories, perfect for killing time on the beach, by the pool - or at home, when planning to get away from it all.

Mystery writer Anthony Eastwood is lured to the crime scene of a faked murder, where two individuals masquerading as police officers arrest him and charge him with murder. As the phony police officers escort Mr. Eastwood home, the true goal of the masquerade becomes apparent.

L'Orient Express, il mitico treno che collega Londra e Parigi con Istanbul, è bloccato nei Balcani da un'eccezionale nevicata. Durante questa sosta inattesa un efferato omicidio nel vagone Istanbul-Calais sconvolge la tranquilla routine dei viaggiatori. A bordo dell'Orient Express però c'è anche Hercule Poirot, il geniale e originale investigatore privato belga. Poirot dovrà usare tutta la sua arguzia e le sue eccellenti doti investigative per scoprire l'assassino e risolvere uno dei suoi casi più celebri.