‘The title, a biblical synonym for death, is the name of an organization which kills by black magic’ (Wagstaff & Poole). The ‘Queen of Crime’ is also said to have saved two lives through this novel, as readers have recognised descriptions of thallium poisoning from the book. Christie’s knowledge of poison was extensive, and came from her work during the First and Second World Wars in dispensaries.
A very good copy overall, gift inscription and small book-label to front free endpaper, contents otherwise generally clean, the cloth remains tight and square, jacket with only minor shelf wear to extremities, small amount of faint marking to rear panel.
