A nursery rhyme figures tantalizingly in each of these novels, but there is nothing childlike about the dark secrets and darker deeds of some of the characters, nothing innocent about the murderers. Whether the detective featured is the delightful, sharp-eyed Miss Marple, the redoubtable Hercule Poirot, or Chief Inspector Taverner of Scotland Yard each one is challenged by an adversary worthy of a master of crime. Here is Agatha Christie at her best - baffling, daringly logical, and immensely entertaining.

The Nursery Rhyme Murders is about a male-female detective team assigned to catch the killer that is taking vengeance on five women who tormented him more than twenty years ago. As a part of the killeras murder-torture ritual, he cuts off the victimas toes from the left foot. He leaves four of the toes to be found, while keeping one for himself. The digit that he keeps assigns his victim to the role of one of the pigs in the game aThis Little Piggy.a Also involved with the killer is one of his future victims, who has her own motive for getting rid of the other four apiggies,a as well as an ill-conceived plan that she hopes will prevent her from becoming piggy number five. This murder-mystery is laced with humor, suspense, plot twists, and sexual tension. It keeps the reader keenly interested, but it is by no means difficult to follow. The ending will certainly take you by surprise.

Enter the world of the Nursery Crime Division in this novel from Jasper Fforde, the New York Times bestselling author of the Thursday Next series and The Constant Rabbit Jasper Fforde's bestselling Thursday Next series has delighted readers of every genre with its literary derring-do and brilliant flights of fancy. In The Big Over Easy, Fforde takes a break from classic literature and tumbles into the seedy underbelly of nursery crime. Meet Inspector Jack Spratt, family man and head of the Nursery Crime Division. He's investigating the murder of ovoid D-class nursery celebrity Humpty Dumpty, found shattered to death beneath a wall in a shabby area of town. Yes, the big egg is down, and all those brittle pieces sitting in the morgue point to foul play. "[Forde] knows a thing or two about leaping into new worlds. . . . It's hard not to see what all the enthusiasm is about." -Janet Maslin, The New York Times "A wonderfully readable riot." -The Wall Street Journal

Hercule Poirot is about to tuck into a very traditional English supper with his old friend Bonnington when a lone diner sparks his interest. Like clockwork, the man has eaten at the restaurant on Thursdays and Tuesdays for the last ten years, but no one on the staff knows his name. When “Old Father Time,” as they have fondly nicknamed him, suddenly stops coming, Poirot believes that he might have picked up the one essential clue that could shed light on this mysterious man. Could what Old Father Time ordered as his final meal provide the key?

"Market Basing Mystery" plunges readers into a captivating short story penned by Agatha Christie, featuring the astute detective Hercule Poirot. In this narrative, Poirot is summoned to investigate a curious case involving the disappearance of a wealthy banker, Marcus Hardman, in the quaint town of Market Basing. As Poirot navigates the intricate social dynamics and explores the mysterious circumstances surrounding Hardman's vanishing act, readers are treated to a delightful blend of Christie's signature wit, clever deductions, and unexpected turns. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a seemingly idyllic town hiding secrets beneath its charming façade. "Market Basing Mystery" stands as another testament to Agatha Christie's ability to weave a compelling mystery in a concise format. With Poirot's unparalleled insights and the author's storytelling finesse, this short story offers enthusiasts an engaging glimpse into the world of Hercule Poirot's investigations.

A wealthy family A fatal cup of tea