The Witness for the Prosecution
The Witness for the Prosecution is a mystery short story written by Agatha Christie and first published in 1925 under the title Traitor Hands.
This short but gripping Agatha Christie story revolves around the murder of Emily French, a wealthy elderly woman who had made Leonard Vole her chief heir. He becomes the prime suspect in the crime.
The evidence appears to be against Leonard, although he insists on his innocence. His only alibi depends on the testimony of his partner, Romaine...
As the trial progresses, testimony and appearances repeatedly shift, placing Leonard’s freedom in doubt and leading to the story’s famous final reversal.
"Mr. Mayherne adjusted his pince-nez and cleared his throat with a little dry-as-dust cough that was wholly typical of him. Then he looked again at the man opposite him, the man charged with willful murder."
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Public domain (US)·No sign-up·DRM-free·Real text, not scans
Copyright note. The Witness for the Prosecution 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 Witness for the Prosecution in PDF or EPUB.
- Pages
- 27
- Reading time
- 3 hours 20 minutes
- Pace
- Fast
- First published
- 1924
- Language
- English
- Downloads
- 3,738
102 years later, still timely
Why Read The Witness for the Prosecution in 2026?
A murder, a charming defendant, and testimony that will not sit still. Christie compresses a courtroom thriller into a superb twist.
Today's connection
Perfect short read for clubs and classrooms. Credibility, motive, and performance collide under oath. The ending is earned and re-colors every line before it—fair, fast, and fun.
Forensic hints
Objects and timings matter; the clues are honest.
Testimony games
Words under pressure reveal more than intended.
Twist logic
Re-read and you will see the setup everywhere.
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About the author
Agatha Christie
Ingenious plots and fair play clues that set the standard for mystery with crisp comedy.
