A glamorous family, unbearable suspense and murder. The Folio edition of this classic mystery from the queen of detective fiction, Agatha Christie’s Ordeal by Innocence is illustrated by Laura Hope.
If you have an account, log in with your email address.
‘Christie is the gateway drug to crime fiction both for readers and for writers … Just one book is never enough.’
Val McDermid
Mrs Rachel Argyle gave her whole life to her adopted children, lavishing them with gifts, money and love. So why did it end so brutally, with a poker to the back of the head? Dr Arthur Calgary is determined to uncover the truth. Ordeal by Innocence is a delicious standalone psychological thriller from the undisputed queen of golden age crime. Can you figure out ‘whodunit’ before turning the final page? This first ever illustrated edition features seven atmospheric colour images by artist Laura Hope, as well as a striking binding design guaranteed to draw the eye. Described by Christie herself as one of her favourites, Ordeal by Innocence is a must read for any fan of detective fiction and a delicious new volume in the hugely popular Folio Christie collection.
Three-quarter bound in blocked cloth, with a printed and blocked textured paper front board
Set in Bell with Kabel as display
248 pages
Frontispiece plus 6 full-page colour illustrations
Plain slipcase
9˝ x 5¾˝
A wealth of secrets and lies
Dr Arthur Calgary returns from an expedition to Antarctica to find that he has inadvertently assisted a terrible miscarriage of justice. Jacko Argyle, convicted of murdering his adoptive mother in a heated row over money, died in prison protesting his innocence, while the absent Calgary was his alibi. Determined to do what he can to make amends, Calgary approaches the Argyle family only to find that rather than relief, his revelation only brings them fresh terror – because someone in the family has blood on their hands, and they will kill again to keep their secrets.
Biographies
About Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie was born in Torquay in 1890 and is the author of over 80 works, including detective novels and short stories, 19 plays, and six novels published under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. Her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles,was published in 1920 and introduced the world to Hercule Poirot, who would become one of the most popular fictional detectives since Sherlock Holmes (as would another of Christie’s sleuths, the amateur detective Miss Marple). In 1952 her play The Mousetrap premiered in London’s West End and has run continuously ever since. Christie’s books have sold more than two billion copies in over 100 languages (said to be outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare), and have been adapted many times for film and television. She was made a dame in 1971 and died in Oxfordshire in 1976. In 2013, she was voted the greatest crime writer of all time by the Crime Writers’ Association.
About Laura Hope
Laura Hope is a figurative artist based in Oxfordshire. She obtained a first-class honours degree in illustration at Cardiff School of Art and Design before going on to work as a memorial artist, hand etching portraits onto gravestones. Her illustrations have been commissioned by clients including Stylist magazine, Sipsmith, Kiehl’s and Clive Christian. As a portrait artist she has been shortlisted for the Jackson’s Painting Prize and won the de Laszlo Foundation Award at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters Exhibition.
Reviews Powered By
Average Score for 14 Review(s)
Building up my collection of Folio Society's Agatha Christie novels and couldn't resist adding this one
Review by
Michael Fowler
on 24th September 2024
For me, a highlight of the design of this book is the colour palette used for the illustrations and cover, and how the colour of the slipcase introduces this. The black spine and typography stand out beautifully.
Review by
MR MICHAEL C DORSEY
on 15th August 2024
Stunning book, like always
Review by
Milan
on 21st April 2024
Inspired by Dr. Lucy Worsley's recent biography and television documentary about Christie, we're slowly collecting all of the most recent Folio Agatha Christie editions we can get our hands on.
Review by
MR CHRISTOPHER SLOAN
on 22nd January 2024
Queen of Crime Agatha Christie invites you into a shadowy world of black magic and cold-blooded murder. The Pale Horse is the latest volume in the Folio Christie collection.
James M. Cain’s first novel, The Postman Always Rings Twice, was an instant bestseller. This stunning Folio edition includes noirish illustrations by Patrick Leger and a preface by film critic Steve Erickson.
Henning Mankell’s Faceless Killers made detective Wallander a household name and catapulted Nordic noir into the mainstream. The first ever illustrated edition, with an introduction by Patti Smith, is a must-have for fans of the genre.
One of the most celebrated Hercule Poirot novels, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is presented as a glorious Folio Society edition illustrated by Andrew Davidson.
