Mystery Detective fiction Short story Intelligence Inheritance Gender bias Problem-solving
The Case of the Missing Will is a short story by Agatha Christie, first published in 1923, featuring the celebrated detective Hercule Poirot.
When a determined young woman seeks help after her wealthy uncle’s death, all that can be found is an earlier document that excludes her. Rumors suggest he had drafted a new testament in her favor, but it has disappeared, leaving behind a contested inheritance and a vanished will that could change everything.
Poirot studies the dead man’s routines, papers, and the layout of the country house, following subtle clues hidden in everyday objects. Instead of chasing suspects, he tests motives and methods, convinced that the truth lies in how the uncle thought rather than in what others claim.
The investigation culminates in a cleverly concealed document revealed, a twist that restores the rightful intentions of the deceased and exposes who stood to gain from its absence. Christie weaves themes of independence, education, and the question of who deserves an inheritance into a compact mystery that showcases Poirot’s cool logic and quiet flair.
"The problem presented to us by Miss Violet Marsh made a rather pleasant change from our usual routine work. Poirot had received a brisk and businesslike note from the lady asking for an appointment, and he had replied, asking her to call upon him at eleven o’clock the following day."
#52 in Mystery (this month)
#152 in Short Stories (this month)
The The Case of the Missing Will book is available for download in PDF, ePUB and Mobi:
Copyright info
The Case of the Missing Will by Agatha Christie is believed to be in the public domain in the United States only. It may still be copyrighted in other countries. If you are not in the United States, please check your local laws to ensure this eBook is in the public domain in your country before downloading The Case of the Missing Will in PDF or ePub.
A sharp heroine challenges family expectations while Poirot treats paperwork like a crime scene. The case turns on language, dates, and who understands the rules well enough to bend them. It is a small story with elegant stakes: autonomy, education, and the freedom to design one’s life against other people’s plans.
The logic of archives—contracts, clauses, metadata—governs much of modern life. This story teaches how to read documents closely, frame motives clearly, and argue for your future with evidence.
Ambition without apology.
Documents, dates, and deductions.
Focused clues, clean payoff.
Perfect for
Share this book
Ingenious plots and fair play clues that set the standard for mystery with crisp comedy.
We have 18 books by Agatha Christie in the AliceAndBooks library