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Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (Agatha Christie Mysteries Collection (Paperback)) Paperback – March 13, 2012

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 2,972 ratings

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A dying man’s bewildering last words pull an inquisitive young man and his beautiful companion into a dangerous web of lethal secrets in Agatha Christie’s classic mystery, Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?

While playing an erratic round of golf, Bobby Jones slices his ball over the edge of a cliff. His ball is lost, but on the rocks below he finds the crumpled body of a dying man. The man opens his eyes and with his last breath says, "Why didn't they ask Evans?"

Haunted by those words, Bobby and his vivacious companion, Frankie, set out to solve a mystery that will bring them into mortal danger. . .

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Agatha Christie had one of the most creative minds in mystery fiction. She managed to use up almost all the plots before most of us were born.” — Nevada Barr, New York Times bestselling author of the Anna Pigeon mysteries

“A story that tickles and tantalizes but never exhausts the reader’s patience or ingenuity.” — Times Literary Supplement (London)

“Timeless . . . why do we all continue to turn to her tales of mysteries and death? Maybe Christie put it best herself – that is the secret of existence, she said; we're all a little mad.” — NPR, All Things Considered

“Agatha Christie [is] the maestro of murder tales.” — People

“In addition to being enthrallingly plotted, Christie’s books are just plain satisfying to read, especially in difficult, unpredictable times. She introduces a limited number of suspects in a limited space, ties up all her loose ends, and brings perpetrators to justice.” — Publishers Weekly

“[We] can't get enough of Christie's plush and murderous thrills.” — Entertainment Weekly

“Agatha Christie was perfecting and reinventing the genre.” — New York Times

From the Back Cover

While playing an erratic round of golf, Bobby Jones slices his ball over the edge of a cliff. His ball is lost, but on the rocks below he finds the crumpled body of a dying man. The man opens his eyes and with his last breath says, "Why didn't they ask Evans?"

Haunted by those words, Bobby and his vivacious companion, Frankie, set out to solve a mystery that will bring them into mortal danger. . .

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (March 13, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062074121
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062074126
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.68 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 2,972 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
2,972 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story engaging with unexpected twists and an intricate plot. They describe the book as a fun, entertaining read with lively characters and wicked villains. Many readers consider it one of Agatha Christie's better works. However, opinions differ on the writing quality - some find it beautifully written and clear to imagine scenes, while others find it labored and too wordy.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

42 customers mention "Plot twists"37 positive5 negative

Customers find the plot twists interesting and engaging. They appreciate the lively characters and intricate plot about how drug abuse is handled. The story draws them in with a surprise ending and is hard to put down. Readers describe it as an adventure-romance story rather than a true mystery, with a quirky twist.

"...The characters, settings described, and storyline were so interesting it made me wonder, "Why didn't I read this sooner?"" Read more

"The characters are interesting and developed. A good twist with the main characters getting on to the villan but thenthe red herring twist of..." Read more

"I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting story with twists and the characters were fun to read about" Read more

"...is no exception. Believable characters you care about, an engaging mystery puzzle, and enough dare doing to keep you on the edge of your seat...." Read more

37 customers mention "Readability"37 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it entertaining, interesting, and satisfying from start to finish. The book is described as a great series and a nice edition of a classic Agatha Christie book.

"...Why Didn't They Ask Evans? Is a thoroughly enjoyable read, anchored by the terrific chemistry between the protagonists, lifelong friends Bobby Jones..." Read more

"...But it's a pleasant enough read, although it relies on a few too many cliches..." Read more

"...All her books are extremely entertaining and “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?” is no exception...." Read more

"...Satisfying from start to finish. The beginning draws you in, the story grabs and holds onto you (hard to put it down!), and the ending is excellent...." Read more

16 customers mention "Humor"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find the detectives engaging and the relationships developing fun to read about. The story holds their attention throughout with its nice touch of humor.

"...beginning I was compelled to peruse this story and found myself captured within it's pages...." Read more

"...is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It's fast-paced and quite humorous, thanks in large part to Frankie's character...." Read more

"A fun who done it with two young sleuths and the usual Agatha Christie twist at the end...." Read more

"...Satisfying from start to finish. The beginning draws you in, the story grabs and holds onto you (hard to put it down!), and the ending is excellent...." Read more

14 customers mention "Character development"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the character development in the book. They find the characters delightful and engaging, with wicked villains and unexpected twists. The plot is described as a good read for a rainy day with unlucky young heroes.

"The characters are interesting and developed...." Read more

"...It was an interesting story with twists and the characters were fun to read about" Read more

"...is no exception. Believable characters you care about, an engaging mystery puzzle, and enough dare doing to keep you on the edge of your seat...." Read more

"This book was great the plot was and characters were delightful. A good read for a rainy day...." Read more

6 customers mention "Agatha content"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the content. They find it an excellent work by Agatha Christie, who is considered a master of cozy mysteries.

"Excellent. Christie’s the master at cozy mysteries for a reason." Read more

"Nice edition of a classic Agatha Christie." Read more

"One of Agatha's better ones." Read more

"Agatha is always good...." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing quality"6 positive4 negative

Customers have different views on the writing quality. Some find it beautifully written and able to imagine all the scenes clearly, with subtle cues. Others feel the writing is labored, too wordy, and not one of Christie's best works.

"...Yet there are subtle cues that if you see them, then the red herring is revealed...." Read more

"I was not impressed with the writing of this book. It was not up to usual Christie standards...." Read more

"...The way she describes surroundings, lighting conditions, weather, etc — I could imagine all the scenes clearly, as they unfolded...." Read more

"...I thought the writing labored (akin to a book for elementary school children) and the plot unnecessarily complicated...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2015
    This mystery begins in a seaside town on the coast of Wales on a beach over a cliff. One of the main characters, Bobby, who is introduced immediately hears a strange noise and when he investigates finds a man, who has "fallen" over a cliff and is unconscious. The doctor on the scene determines the man is injured beyond hope and leaves to get help. Bobby is left alone to stay with the man, who after a few short minutes becomes conscious and utters, "Why Didn't The Ask Evans?" then instantly dies. Bobby finds a picture of a very captivating woman in the pocket of the dead man and begins to wonder about the man's life as well as his death. The second of the main characters, Frankie, who is Bobby's childhood friend is soon introduced when Bobby tells of the events prior to their meeting. Both of them crave adventure, much like Christie's Tommy and Tuppence characters, which are of whom they reminded me. The two friends begin to question what had actually happened in the case of the man who died over the cliff and scheme to find out more about his life once he is identified and the circumstances surrounding his death. This lands them in the middle of a cast of strange characters all of whom seem to have something to hide, which further peaks their curiosity and leads them into various events and even danger. The book has everything any mystery reader could possibly enjoy: suspense, murder, danger, and even love. From the beginning I was compelled to peruse this story and found myself captured within it's pages. The characters, settings described, and storyline were so interesting it made me wonder, "Why didn't I read this sooner?"
    17 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2023
    The characters are interesting and developed. A good twist with the main characters getting on to the villan but thenthe red herring twist of believing him innocent. Yet there are subtle cues that if you see them, then the red herring is revealed. If you don't, the story twists its way back around to reveal the truth at the end. Always love Agatha Christie's work!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2024
    I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting story with twists and the characters were fun to read about
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2009
    While Agatha Christie is best-known for her sleuths like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, I've discovered that some hidden gems among her "standalone" novels. Why Didn't They Ask Evans? Is a thoroughly enjoyable read, anchored by the terrific chemistry between the protagonists, lifelong friends Bobby Jones, son of the local vicar, and Lady Frances Derwent. Their relationship, particularly the way they constantly spar and view their case, reminds me of another pair of Christie sleuths - Tommy and Tuppence. I could Christie turning Frances & Bobby's adventures into a series - but perhaps that never happened because it would have been a little too similar to Tommy & Tuppence's adventures.

    Why Didn't They Ask Evans? is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It's fast-paced and quite humorous, thanks in large part to Frankie's character. She operates in a constant, dizzying state of activity that tends to leave everyone she encounters in a wake of confusion - so generally speaking, she can get away with pretty much anything. Witnessing the quieter, more deliberate Bobby keep up with her is a lot of fun. Christie packs the novel with her trademark twists and turns, and keeping up with how the large cast of characters is related can be a bit confusing if you're not focused on the story. By the end of the novel, the guilty parties have become apparent, but that doesn't detract from one's enjoyment of the tale in the least - watching Bobby and Frankie survive their excursion into the detective world is far too entertaining. I rank this as one of my favorite Christie novels.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2016
    In terms of plot, this is not one of Agatha Christie's best. It focuses more on a (romantic buddies) crime-solving duo, than on intricacies of motive and concealment. But it's a pleasant enough read, although it relies on a few too many cliches (e.g. bumbling friend, whose only purpose is to show up at just the right moment). And the mystery of the title phrase is resolved by a far-fetched coincidence that made me think Agatha Christie had been reading Charles Dickens' Great Expectations right before she wrote this.

    The one thing she does really well in this work is to create a sense of atmosphere in the reader's mind. The way she describes surroundings, lighting conditions, weather, etc — I could imagine all the scenes clearly, as they unfolded.

    I did enjoy this book, but more for the writing itself, than for the story.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2023
    I’ve never been disappointed when it comes to Agatha Christie. All her books are extremely entertaining and “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?” is no exception. Believable characters you care about, an engaging mystery puzzle, and enough dare doing to keep you on the edge of your seat. Ms Christie is the queen of mystery fiction, and in my mind, will never be dethroned!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2022
    A fun who done it with two young sleuths and the usual Agatha Christie twist at the end. This is a book with with some characters that I do not think were used again as main protagonists and I liked their energy. Christie used these characters to present a different background and context to readers than the usual Marple and Hercule. It's a cute cozy mystery and I enjoyed it. The audio book was read by a wonderful narrator, Emilia Fox, who did a marvellous job.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2023
    Nothing will ever be better than "And Then There Were None, but this book is Christie's 2nd best book behind that one. Satisfying from start to finish. The beginning draws you in, the story grabs and holds onto you (hard to put it down!), and the ending is excellent. If you like Christie, read this one!!
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Harv
    5.0 out of 5 stars Agatha Christie’s best mystery
    Reviewed in Canada on August 24, 2022
    This book was written at the beginning of Agatha Christie’s career and it is far better than her later mysteries. Most of the later mysteries tended to follow some sort of formula. On the other hand, this mystery is completely unpredictable, yet completely logical in hindsight.
  • N_S
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another page turner from the great novelist
    Reviewed in India on November 1, 2023
    Go for it
  • Alexander S. Grenfell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not like the book but better.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 19, 2023
    It is not like the book written, adapted and directed by Hugh Laurie who also played Dr. James Ncholson. I think it is better, the twin boys at the beginning not in the book, the hard man with bowler hat who poison's Bobby Jones not in the book, Badger gets beaten up by the Bowler Hat man not in the book, Badger also kills the Bowler Hat man not in the book, you have to read the book to compare.
    My wife and I liked it alot.
  • donnacinzia
    5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece
    Reviewed in Italy on June 19, 2021
    I love it so much!
  • delporte valerie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tres bon agatha comme d hahitude
    Reviewed in France on August 29, 2019
    Toujours aussi bien