The Case of the Missing Will

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."