My Dear James, You have always been one of the most faithful and kindly of my readers, and I was therefore seriously perturbed when I received from you a word of criticism. You complained that my murders were getting too refined-anaemic, in fact. You yearned for a "good violent murder with lots of blood." A murder where there was no doubt it's being murder! So this is your special story-written for you. I hope it my please. Your affectionate sister in law, Agatha my dear james: You have been one of my most loyal and tolerant readers, and because of this, I am greatly disturbed when I receive the slightest criticism from you.

You complain that my murders have become too refined, too anemic in fact.Said to desire a "bloody and violent murder", a murder beyond doubt: This is a story made especially for you.I hope it satisfies you. your beloved sister-in-law agatha (Here "sister-in-law" should be "little aunt", which is a mistranslation of the translator; James is Agatha Christie's brother-in-law)