Book Review: ‘The Sittaford Mystery’ by Agatha Christie

Book Title: The Sittaford Mystery
Author: Agatha Christie
Publisher: HarperCollins
Number of Pages: 288
ISBN: 0008769842
Date Published: Nov. 6, 2025
Price: INR 598 / $24.41

Book Review

Agatha Christie’s “The Sittaford Mystery” kicks off with eerie fun in snowy Dartmoor. A group at Sittaford House plays table-turning—a séance game—when the table spells out that Captain Trevelyan has been murdered. Shocked, Major Burnaby braves the storm to check on his old friend in nearby Exhampton. He finds Trevelyan dead in his locked study, killed by a blow to the head. Snow traps everyone, sparking whispers of ghosts or tricks among neighbours like Mr. Rycroft, Mr. Duke, and young Ronnie Garfield.

Enter clever Emily Trefusis, fiancée of suspect James Pearson, Trevelyan’s nephew who stood to inherit big. James has money woes and a fight history with his uncle, making him prime suspect. Emily teams with reporter Charles Burnaby (Major’s son) to dig deeper. Inspector Narracott arrives but leans on their smarts. Suspects pile up: the captain’s odd servant Mr. Duke, chatty retiree Rycroft, and even Mrs. Willett from the house.

Christie weaves red herrings like a pro—stolen wills, fake alibis, and that spooky séance. Emily pokes into homes, spotting clues like odd ski prints and hidden motives tied to gold mines. The isolated moor amps tension, with blizzards hiding tracks and secrets. Twists flip blame from James to surprise killers, all tied by Christie’s tight logic.

This 1931 gem shines for cozy fans, blending locked-room vibes with amateur sleuthing—no Poirot needed. Emily steals the show as a sharp, take-charge heroine. Quick, twisty read perfect for wintry nights—pure Christie gold.

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