Event

The Mousetrap

The story is set in the 1940's after the war and takes place at a bed and breakfast known as Monkswell Manor, which is owned by the young, inexperienced Molly and Giles Ralston. Many years previous, at a very young age, three children were sent to live at Longridge Farm. The Standings, who owned the farm, were extremely cruel and mistreated the children. After one boy died, Mr. Standing was killed escaping from the police and Mrs. Standing went to prison. Just released from prison, Mrs. Standing is murdered and the next target appears to be a young woman at Monkswell Manor - but the murderer could be either the brother of the murdered boy or his sister (now both adults). The Ralstons don't know the background of any of their first paying guests - and neither does the audience! To make sure the murderer doesn't leave the premises prematurely, Dame Agatha closes access in and out of Monkswell Manor by creating a huge blizzard which leaves it up to the guests (and the audience) to determine "whodunit" in this classic.