The Seven Dials Mystery

A wealthy businessman is found dead at his London home with a mysterious letter opener lodged in his chest. The police investigation reveals that the victim was blackmailing several people and had many enemies. A young woman, who claims to have been the victim's mistress, becomes the prime suspect but she has an alibi for the time of the murder.

By Agatha Christie · First published 1929 · Genre: Mystery, Crime, Detective Fiction · 34 chapters · 86,190 words

First lines

That amiable youth, Jimmy Thesiger, came racing down the big staircase at Chimneys two steps at a time. So precipitate was his descent that he collided with Tredwell, the stately butler, just as the latter was crossing the hall bearing a fresh supply of hot coffee. Owing to the marvellous presence of mind and masterly agility of Tredwell, no casualty occurred.

"Sorry," apologised Jimmy. "I say, Tredwell, am I the last down?"

What this Textopian page supports

The Seven Dials Mystery is listed on Textopian as a novel by Agatha Christie, dated 1929 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novel
• Author: Agatha Christie
• Date: 1929 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Mystery, Crime, Detective Fiction, Thriller, Adventure
• Length: 86,190 words
• Structure: 34 chapters, 3,253 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

• What should a reader notice first when entering The Seven Dials Mystery?
• How does this novel by Agatha Christie fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

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• The Eye Of Osiris by R. Austin Freeman
• Mystery At Lynden Sands by J. J. Connington
• Behind That Curtain by Earl Derr Biggers
• The Crime At Black Dudley by Margery Allingham
• The Sleuth Of St Jamess Square by Melville Davisson Post

Genres

• Mystery — The plot revolves around a murder investigation, central to the genre.
• Crime — The narrative involves criminal activities and the pursuit of justice.
• Detective Fiction — Features a detective figure solving the mystery through clues and deduction.
• Thriller — Contains suspenseful elements that keep readers engaged and on edge.

Tags

Mystery · Detective Fiction · Whodunit · Classic Mystery · 1920s Setting · London Setting · Private Detective · Female Protagonist · Amateur Sleuth · Murder Mystery · Plot Twist · Red Herring

Contents

• On Early Rising
• Concerning Alarm Clocks
• The Joke that Failed
• A Letter
• The Man in the Road
• Seven Dials Again
• Bundle Pays a Call
• Visitors for Jimmy
• Plans
• Bundle Visits Scotland Yard
• Dinner with Bill
• Inquiries at Chimneys
• The Seven Dials Club
• The Meeting of the Seven Dials
• The Inquest
• The House Party at the Abbey
• After Dinner
• Jimmy's Adventures
• Bundle's Adventures
• Loraine's Adventures
• The Recovery of the Formula
• The Countess Radzky's Story
• Superintendent Battle in Charge
• Bundle Wonders
• Jimmy Lays his Plans
• Mainly about Golf
• Nocturnal Adventure
• Suspicions
• Singular Behaviour of George Lomax
• An Urgent Summons
• The Seven Dials
• Bundle is Dumbfounded
• Battle Explains
• Lord Caterham Approves

More by Agatha Christie

• The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920)
• The Secret Adversary (1922)
• Poirot Investigates (1924)
• The Secret of Chimneys (1925)
• The Murder on the Links (1923)
• The Man in the Brown Suit (1924)
• The Plymouth Express Affair (1923)
• The Hunter's Lodge Case (1928)
• All works by Agatha Christie