The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding

A stolen royal ruby and a very English Christmas at Kings Lacey.

The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding and a Selection of Entrées is a short story collection by Agatha Christie, first published in the UK on 24 October 1960. It is the only Christie first edition published in the UK that contains stories with both Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, and it comprises six cases.

Quick Facts

Author: Agatha Christie
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Genre: Crime novel
Publisher: Collins Crime Club
Released: 24 October 1960
Format: Print (hardback & paperback)
Pages: 256 pp (first edition, hardback)

Lore & Background

In the title story, also called "The Theft of the Royal Ruby", Mr Jesmond asks Poirot to help an eastern prince whose fabulous ruby, brought to London for resetting by Cartier, was stolen by a dubious young woman; the police cannot be involved. Poirot is sent to the country house Kings Lacey to spend Christmas with Colonel and Mrs Lacey and their family. There the young people plan a false murder for him to detect, with Bridget playing the body in the snow - but Poirot confirms that she appears to be really dead.