The Poisoned Chocolates Case

By Anthony Berkeley

Book Overview

"The poisoned chocolates case" by Anthony Berkeley stands as a masterful example of classic detective fiction, inviting readers into a labyrinthine whodunit that has captivated generations. This ingenious mystery plunges into a perplexing scenario: a box of chocolates, innocently delivered, becomes the instrument of a chilling crime.

Anthony Berkeley brilliantly crafts a puzzle for the ages, where the identity of the culprit remains elusive, even as multiple theories emerge. The narrative showcases the sharp intellect of Roger Sheringham, a notable figure in the annals of mystery literature, as he navigates the twists and turns of a truly perplexing investigation. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of London, the story delves deep into the intricacies of police work and the art of deduction.

A quintessential police procedural woven into a traditional detective novel, "The poisoned chocolates case" offers a rich tapestry of suspects, motives, and misdirection. For enthusiasts of intricate crime narratives and classic London fiction, this enduring tale promises an absorbing and unforgettable journey into the heart of a perfectly executed mystery. It is a testament to the timeless appeal of a well-conceived whodunit.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025238621
• ISBN13: 9781025238623
• Release Date: December 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 244 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Who Sent You Your Last Box of Chocolates?

What is there not to love about chocolate, except when they are filled with a dab of nitrobenzene. This classic mystery from 1929 makes nearly every major list of the best of the best. Roger Sheringham and his friends at the Detection Club are presented a stump-er by Scotland Yard. Each member presents their solution based on their insight into the murder, the characters, and the evidence. You will be turning the pages all night wondering who has their facts straight. This one contains all the elements that cozy mystery lovers enjoy in a read that is well paced and full of surprises. I discovered my copy on the bottom of a "to read" pile, had forgotten buying it, but it goes near the top of my list of all-time favorites. Writing as a Small BusinessSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelQualifying Laps: A Brewster County NovelUnder the Liberty Oak

Very clever and inexpressibly bright!

This is a very clever little mystery. It is easy to understand why Anthony Berkeley is considered to be the grandfather of the Golden Era of detective fiction. The book was written in 1929, but in spite of that date the mystery itself is not at all dated. The book is based on the premise of six amateur detectives given an unsolvable case by Scotland Yard. Each member of the Crime Club has to come up with a theory and point out the murderer. Each of the six come up with completely plausible solutions, but we don't actually find out the correct one until the last sleuth speaks. It is certainly a different take on "and then there was one". Berkeley certainly knew what he was about when he penned his detective stories! They are true gems.

A clever new device for an old-fashioned kind of mystery

It's British, it's amateurs solving a murder, the clues are all in front of you. What's better? And then on top of it all, this book gives us a crime club at which the members present their individual results and critique each other (with some dry wit at the expense of the genre). Great stuff.

What a delight!

I read this book after seeing it mentioned over and over again on best-mysteries-of-all-time lists.Berkeley's novel is built around a fictitious, famed detection club (no doubt based on a real club that had authors such as Christie, Sayers and Dickson Carr as members). The members of this illustrious club set out to solve a mystery revolving around a poisoned box of chocolates. Every sleuth turns in a seemingly plausible solution, each topping the previous person's explanation. Until the end, that is, when a less-than-likely member offers the most surprising (and probably correct) interpretation of the facts.Not only is this a real puzzle of a book, but it gently and self-consciously tweaks the fair-play traditions and cliches of the ultra-British "Golden Age." It's very clever, very funny, and reads like a shot. What else do you want from a mystery?