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Any Number Can Die
An hilarious take off on the mystery plays of the Twenties complete with sliding panels, robed figures, wills being read at midnight, etc. The idioms, costumes, hairdos, and make up of the period add to the thrills and laughter. Four ingenious murders take place in an island mansion as a pair of elderly detectives set to work on their first case. The ever popular storm, the unexpected guests, the cryptic poem, and the missing fortune all add to the intricate and inventive mystery off which the laughs bounce.
Paperback
First published April 1, 1965
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 9, 2026
I remember seeing it in the 80s and really liking it so I finally found a copy to read. It’s really cute and is a strong example of those 1920s-30s comedy-mystery sendups. It’s better quality than a lot of these I’ve seen before.
Spoiler though: It turns out the Caribbean maid is actually white and darkened her skin to conceal her identity. It’s relatively innocuous, but I can’t see anyone being able to pull this off in a way that doesn’t seem like blackface. Also, the play begins with a modern couple setting the scene, but we never return to them. It seems really unnecessary.
Single set but extensive, three acts, 7m/5f
Spoiler though: It turns out the Caribbean maid is actually white and darkened her skin to conceal her identity. It’s relatively innocuous, but I can’t see anyone being able to pull this off in a way that doesn’t seem like blackface. Also, the play begins with a modern couple setting the scene, but we never return to them. It seems really unnecessary.
Single set but extensive, three acts, 7m/5f
July 13, 2018
It's a good play. I can do it at school or at the community theater. Good fun.
November 16, 2019
DNF. Dilapidated mansion. Opens with 2 young honeymooners. Cast includes another ingenue, a Haitian woman and 2 other young men, plus 2 older women and 4 older men. Not suitable for our actors.
February 18, 2022
Very amusing play. Full of several “dad jokes” and lots of secret passageways.
The beginning “present time” scene doesn’t really make sense since you are never returned to that scene/characters.
The beginning “present time” scene doesn’t really make sense since you are never returned to that scene/characters.
August 10, 2012
One of my favorite murder mystery plays! Absolutely hilarious, and yet still a great mystery.
September 2, 2015
I loved directing this show because it felt like doing an Agatha Christie version of a French farce. Secret passages and spooky music set in the roaring 20's was just such fun to do.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews