4.50 From Paddington
Classic Mystery Cozy Mystery Crime Fiction Detective Fiction British Golden Age Mystery Female Sleuth Railway Mystery
4.50 From Paddington is one of Agatha Christie’s most ingenious “railway mysteries,” turning an everyday commuter train into the scene of a perfect murder witnessed only by the sharp-eyed Miss Marple’s friend, Mrs. McGillicuddy. When a strangled woman flashes past the carriage window, neither the railway company nor the police can find a corpse—until the indomitable Jane Marple sets up her own quiet surveillance. What follows is a classic country-house hunt played out at Gothic Rutherford Hall, where hidden wills, quarrelling heirs and a disused quarry provide the ideal backdrop for Christie’s trademark twists. This 2013 hardcover edition preserves every clue in crisp, readable type on 224 pristine pages, giving new readers and collectors alike the full, unabridged puzzle that has kept fans guessing since 1957.
The novel’s brilliance lies in Christie’s ability to make a simple timetable as thrilling as a drawn revolver. By the time Miss Marple enlists the help of her self-appointed “partner in crime,” the resourceful Lucy Eyelesbarrow, the investigation becomes a race between domestic routine and sudden violence—every cup of tea or walk to the stables might unmask the killer. First-time Christie readers will appreciate how effortlessly the author juggles red herrings, village gossip and razor-sharp logic, while seasoned fans will relish spotting the subtle foreshadowing that makes the final reveal so satisfying. The book stands alone, so no prior knowledge of the series is required; yet it enriches the wider Marple canon with its quietly subversive portrait of female intelligence at work.
This particular copy arrives protected by an original dust jacket and is clean and unmarked inside—no inscriptions, ex-library stamps or dog-eared corners to detract from its shelf appeal. Light scuffing to the jacket and minor spine wear are the only signs of gentle previous ownership, making it an affordable step-up from a reading copy while still suitable for gift-giving or display. For collectors building a uniform Christie set, the 2013 hardcover format matches the height and styling of contemporaneous printings, ensuring a neat row on the shelf. Whether you’re hunting for a nostalgic re-read, a present for a mystery-loving teenager, or a durable addition to a home library, this edition delivers the complete, unfiltered Christie experience in a package built to last.
Refer to our eBay listing for a full condition report and many more high-quality pictures of this item.
Buy Now