Three Blind Mice and Other Stories is a collection of short stories written by Agatha Christie, first published in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company in 1950. The first edition retailed at $2.50.
Stories from the collection later appeared in the British collections The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (1960), Poirot's Early Cases (1974), Miss Marple's Final Cases and Two Other Stories (1979), and Problem at Pollensa Bay (1992). However, the title story, an alternate version of the play The Mousetrap, has not been published in book form in the UK.
Plot summaries
Three Blind Mice
During a blinding snowstorm, a homicidal maniac traps a small group of people in an isolated boarding house. Giles and Molly Davis have just inherited Monkswell Manor from Molly’s Aunt Katherine, and they have decided to open it as a guest house. During a heavy blizzard, an intriguing cast of characters are trapped together, yet not everything is what it appears. After one of the guests is found dead, the question is, who is the killer? Well, it can only be someone on the inside. It is a tale of intrigue and murder coming from the past. Is everyone who they say they are? Who will live through the night? Will the murderer who kills to the tune of Three Blind Mice kill them all?
Characters: Mrs. Lyon Molly Giles Mrs. Boyle Christopher Wren Major Metcalf Mr. Paravicini Detective Sergeant Trotter
Strange Jest
During a party hosted by Miss Marple’s friend Jane Helier, Miss Marple is approached by a young couple who need her help. The couple was promised by their uncle that when he died they would inherit a great fortune. Yet, when the uncle died, he left them a letter telling them that their inheritance was hidden. The couple invites Miss Marple to their family home. She sets out to clear up the mystery and help this couple find their happiness.
Characters: Uncle Mathew Charmian Rossiter Edward Rossiter Miss Marple
The Case of the Perfect Maid
Miss Marple comes to the aid of Inspector Slack once again. The Skinner sisters are a mystery to the village. While one sister lies around suffering from mysterious ailments, the other manages everything she needs. Then the sisters fire their maid, Gladys, claiming she is a thief, only to have things continue to disappear. Now the perfect maid has come to replace her, but when the perfect maid goes missing, who do you get to help solve the crime?
Characters: Edna Miss Marple Gladys Holmes Emily Skinner Lavinia Skinner Mary Higgins Mrs. Devereux Mrs. Carmichael
Tape-Measure Murder
Miss Marple is called as a character witness for Mr. Spenlow, who is accused of murdering his wife. This is because Mr. Spenlow seems to be unaffected by the loss of his wife. With the help of her friend Colonel Melchett and the incredulous Inspector Slack, Miss Marple searches for the truth about who really killed Mrs. Spenlow. Will a man that Miss Marple feels is innocent hang for the crime?
Characters: Mrs. Spenlow Mr. Spenlow Miss Plotitt Mis Hartnell Miss Marple Police Constable Palk Inspector Slack Colonel Melchett
The Case of the Caretaker
Doctor Haydock, the resident GP in the small village of St. Mary Mead, hopes to cheer up Miss Marple as she recovers from the flu. He feels the best solution is to give her a problem that will challenge her mind rather than her body. He decides to ask for her assistance in solving a murder because what better way was there to keep her spirits up than to find a killer. Harry Lexton, the devilishly handsome black sheep son, has made good and returned to his childhood home with his new wife to start a life. However, the villagers cannot stop talking about Harry’s past and at least one person cannot forgive him for tearing down the old house. When Harry’s new wife dies unexpectedly, was it a witch’s curse that did it or someone with darker plans?
Characters: Harry Lexton Louise Lexton Dr. Haydock Miss Marple Clarice Vane Mrs. Murgatroyd Bella Edge
The Third Floor Flat
A woman’s body is found in a flat. She was discovered by a group of four resourceful young people who had been locked out of their flat. Luckily for them, Hercule Poirot is nearby to lend his assistance. Who murdered this poor woman? Is there more to this story then meets the eye? Can Poirot discover the truth before it is too late for someone else?
Characters: Patricia Garnett Jimmy Faulkener Donovan Bailey Mildred Hope Hercule Poirot Mrs. Ernestine Grant Inspector Rice