The Sign in the Sky

The Sign in the Sky is a mystery short story written by Agatha Christie and first published in 1925.

This story is part of a collection of stories featuring the mysterious Mr. Harley Quin. It was first published in The Grand Magazine in July 1925. It was later included in the book The Mysterious Mr. Quin, published by Collins in 1930. The collection is dedicated to its eponymous hero and is the only Agatha Christie book dedicated to a fictional character.

The story is set in the picturesque English countryside, where Mr. Quin and a character named Mr. Satterthwaite, who loves to observe nature, meet unexpectedly and become embroiled in a mystery involving a seemingly unsolvable murder.

This murder occurred at a beautiful country house where some friends were having a party and where they discover that one of the guests has been murdered.

The only clue they have at the moment is a rather unusual astronomical phenomenon, which some consider to be a foreboding sign of the crime....

As such, this short story stands out among many for its mystical atmosphere and use of supernatural elements as vehicles for introspection and revelation, marking a contrast with Christie's more conventional approaches to mystery. This story not only entertains, but also invites reflection on the influence of fate and the possibility of signs beyond our ordinary understanding.

"The Judge was finishing his charge to the jury.
"Now, gentlemen, I have almost finished what I want to say to you. There is evidence for you to consider as to whether this case is plainly made out against this man so that you may say he is guilty of the murder of Vivien Barnaby. You have had the evidence of the servants as to the time the shot was fired."