This is a collection of some very short mystery stories. They are generally murder mysteries, and the short story format prevents Christie from employing too much misdirection. Generally, she sets up the mystery, gives a clue or two, and announces the killer (or jewel thief, or matchmaker, etc.). Some of the results are silly, but they generally seem like fair solutions. This collection is probably most valuable for Christie fans (especially those who like Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, and Mr. Parker Pyle), but I was amused without being a real fan. If nothing else, this book presents some charmingly unapologetic classism that makes for an interesting historical snapshot (one mystery hinges on the fact that of course everyone has a maid, and of course no one notices any of their features unless they're especially attractive - not the story someone could write in 2009). This may be a good book to give young readers as an introduction into Agatha Christie and the idea of murder mysteries before American pulp fiction changed the genre.