
Murder by the Book
Seen it?1986 | 51 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, TV Movie
Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe
With a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Aimed squarely at people who can't resist a good whodunit and crime fans. The investigation drives everything, one lead at a time. Same wavelength as Sherlock: The Abominable Bride or Evil Under the Sun.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Quiet, then quietly devastating, at 51 min. An easy one to fit in on a school night.
- What might put you off
- Skip it if you like your heroes clean-cut.
Agatha Christie’s agents propose that it’s time for her to publish the manuscript she wrote thirty-five years earlier, a novel in which she finally kills off her most famous creation. And it’s not an entirely sad occasion. “That wretched little man,” she says. “He’s always been so much trouble. How is it Miss Marple has never upset me at all, not ever?” That night, who should appear at her doorstep but the wretched little man himself, Hercule Poirot? The great fictional detective and his creator proceed to play a very Christie-like game of cat and mouse for the manuscript – and for their own lives.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerWeak
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
Not enough engagement data yet
More like this
Sherlock: The Abominable BrideSaturday SpecialAnother detective crime drama that's easy to miss.
The Mirror Crack'dSunday Safe BetAnother detective crime thriller, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Evil Under the SunSaturday SpecialAnother detective crime thriller, and a Saturday Special.
KluteFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed detective crime drama.
InsomniaSaturday SpecialAnother detective crime drama.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark
- Peggy AshcroftAgatha Christie
- Ian HolmHercule Poirot
- Richard WilsonSir Max Mallowan
- Michael AldridgeEdmond Cork
- John AtkinsonGardener
- Dawn ArchibaldSally