Three Blind Mice by Agatha Christie - Q&A

Explore the intriguing world of 'Three Blind Mice' by Agatha Christie. Find answers to your questions and dive deeper into the story's themes, characters, and plot twists.

SHORT STORY

S.S

4/18/202514 min read

a tree with a tree branch in the background and a tree with a bird on

Three Blind Mice is a short story by Agatha Christie, first published in 1948. This study guide provides an analysis, summary, and interpretation based on my understanding of the story.

Three Blind Mice by Agatha Christie – Detailed Questions & Answers for Study

Multiple Choice Questions

Which one of these items belonging to the killer did the workmen give to the police?
a) A stamp
b) A small notebook
c) A hat
d) A pencil
What newspaper did Trotter pick up from the dresser?
a) The New York Times
b) The London Times
c) The Morning Herald
d) The Evening Standard
Mrs. Maureen Lyon's real name was –
a) Maureen Gregg
b) Maureen Lyon
c) Maureen Greggy
d) Maureen Boyle
Who was the first guest to arrive at Monkswell Manor?
a) Mr. Paravicini
b) Christopher Wren
c) Trotter
d) Joe
The address of the first victim's house was:
a) 74, Culver Street
b) 74, J.P. Road
c) 75, Culver Street
d) Culver Street
The paper pinned to the dead woman's body had the writing:
a) This is the first
b) This is the second
c) This is the third
d) No. 3
"Rather a sordid murder" — Here, the word "sordid" means:
a) Curse
b) Evil
c) Unpleasant
d) Boon
St. Paul was built by:
a) Christopher Wren
b) St. Michel
c) St. George
d) Julius Pope
Mr. Wren will stay in the:
a) West room
b) North room
c) South room
d) East room
The Monkswell Manor case had a direct association with:
a) The Longridge case
b) Paravicini's problem
c) Boyle's administration
d) Joe
Mrs. Maureen Lyon's real name was:
a) Maureen Gregg
b) Molly Davis
c) Mrs. Jenny
d) Mrs. Hogben
"My parents were a romantic couple" — Who said this?
a) Mr. Giles
b) Wren
c) Mr. Paravicini
d) Major Metcalf
The common joke between Molly and Giles was about:
a) Tin
b) Breakfast
c) Monkswell Manor
d) Mr. Paravicini
The newly painted board of Monkswell Manor looked:
a) Almost professional
b) Crooked
c) Beautiful
d) Broken
What is Molly’s reaction when she hears about the burning smell from the kitchen?
a) She asks Christopher to help
b) She laughs it off
c) She runs away in panic
d) She is concerned about the pie burning

Short Answer Type Questions – Three Blind Mice

Who wrote Three Blind Mice?
Answer: Three Blind Mice was written by Agatha Christie.
How deep were the snowdrifts?
Answer: The snowdrifts were five feet deep.
Who was the first victim in the play?
Answer: Mrs. Maureen Lyon was the first victim.
What is the name of the farm mentioned in the play?
Answer: The farm is called Longridge Farm.
How did Sergeant Trotter reach Monkswell Manor?
Answer: Sergeant Trotter used skis to reach Monkswell Manor.
How was the person whom the police were anxious to interview described?
Answer: He wore a dark overcoat, a light homburg hat, was of medium height, and had a woollen scarf.
Who became the second murder victim?
Answer: Mrs. Boyle was the second victim.
What news was broadcast on the wireless?
Answer: The wireless reported severe weather conditions and the murder of Mrs. Lyon.
According to the nursery rhyme, what weapon did the farmer’s wife use?
Answer: A carving knife.
Where did Giles come from?
Answer: Giles came from Lincolnshire.
What subject did Sergeant Trotter study during his training?
Answer: He studied psychology.
Who noticed the problem with the guesthouse sign?
Answer: Molly Davis noticed the issue.
Whom did Molly Davis feel uneasy around?
Answer: Mr. Paravicini.
Who surprised Mrs. Boyle?
Answer: Mr. Paravicini surprised her.
What song did the murderer whistle?
Answer: Three Blind Mice.
What is the name of the guesthouse owned by Giles and Molly Davis?
Answer: Monkswell Manor.
Who was the first guest to arrive at Monkswell Manor?
Answer: Mr. Christopher Wren.
Where did the murder of Mrs. Lyon take place?
Answer: On Culver Street.
Which room was assigned to Mr. Paravicini?
Answer: The green room.
What business did Giles and Molly Davis start?
Answer: They opened a guesthouse.
Which room did Mrs. Boyle occupy?
Answer: The blue room.
In which part of the city did the murder occur?
Answer: Paddington.
What type of hat did the murderer wear?
Answer: A felt hat.
What surname was used by Molly and Giles?
Answer: Ralston.
How much did guests pay to stay at Monkswell Manor?
Answer: 7 guineas.
What was the name of the police superintendent?
Answer: Superintendent Hogben.
During which season does the story take place?
Answer: Winter.
What was Mrs. Lyon’s real name?
Answer: Maureen Gregg.
Who was the third victim?
Answer: Mrs. Molly.
Who built St. Paul’s Cathedral?
Answer: Sir Christopher Wren.
Whom did Mrs. Boyle suspect?
Answer: Mr. Wren.
Which newspaper did Sergeant Trotter find on the dresser?
Answer: The Evening Standard dated February 19th.
Which room was given to Mr. Paravicini?
Answer: The green room.
What was Mr. Davis doing during Mrs. Boyle’s murder?
Answer: He was upstairs examining the telephone extension.
How did Sergeant Trotter overcome the snowstorm?
Answer: He used skis to travel through the snow.
What mistake did Giles make on the guesthouse sign?
Answer: He misspelled “Monkswell Manor” as “Monkwell Manor”.
Which song was whistled by the murderer?
Answer: Three Blind Mice.
Who was the first guest to arrive at the guesthouse?
Answer: Mr. Wren.
What is the name of the guesthouse run by Giles and Molly Davis?
Answer: Monkswell Manor.
Who came to find Mrs. Casey at 74 Culver Street?
Answer: A man with a whispery voice.
Who was murdered at the beginning of Three Blind Mice?
Answer: Mrs. Lyon.
"Your husband is afraid for you." — Who said this and why?
Answer: Mr. Paravicini said this to Mrs. Molly Davis because her husband feared leaving her alone with Paravicini, suspecting his dangerous nature.
What information did Sergeant Trotter collect after Mrs. Boyle’s murder?
Answer: He took statements from everyone about their whereabouts during the murder.
What did Mrs. Boyle say to Major Metcalf regarding the children at Longridge Farm?
Answer: She defended her decision, saying the farm people were kind and eager to care for the children.
What did Trotter ask the guests about Mrs. Lyon?
Answer: He inquired if any of them had a connection to her murder. Everyone denied it.
What did Superintendent Hogben tell Mrs. Davis over the phone?
Answer: He informed her that Detective Sergeant Trotter was being sent to investigate and that Giles should cooperate with him.
Why did Sergeant Trotter say he came to Monkswell Manor?
Answer: To investigate Mrs. Lyon's murder and prevent a second murder at the Manor.
What did Molly Davis notice about the guesthouse sign?
Answer: The sign looked good overall, but the ‘T’ was slanted, and “Manor” looked crowded.
What news did Molly and Giles hear on the radio?
Answer: Warnings about the weather, political unrest, and the murder in Culver Street, Paddington.
Who were the first three guests at Monkswell Manor?
Answer: Mr. Wren, Mrs. Boyle, and Major Metcalf.
Who were the detective and inspector investigating Mrs. Lyon’s case?
Answer: Detective Kane and Inspector Paraminter.
Who told Molly that someone stole Trotter’s skis?
Answer: Christopher Wren.
"Your husband is afraid for you." — Who said this and why did her husband become afraid for her?
Answer: Mr. Paravicini said this to Mrs. Molly Davis. Her husband, Giles, was afraid to leave her alone with Mr. Paravicini because he sensed that Paravicini had sadistic tendencies and might pose a danger to her.

Long Answer Type Questions – Three Blind Mice

1. Why had Molly and Giles decided to put the house on the market? What difficulties did they face in doing so?

Ans: According to Molly, the house was a big, rambling old building full of stuffy, old-fashioned Victorian furniture. It had a nice garden, but it was overgrown and maintained by only one old gardener.

When Molly and Giles decided to put the house on the market, they faced two difficulties. Firstly, there weren’t any small cottages or flats available. Secondly, all the furniture in the house was very large, making it hard to manage or move.

2. How did Molly Davis describe Monkswell Manor? How did Molly get the idea of running a guest house? Explain the exterior of the guest house.

Ans: Molly Davis described Monkswell Manor as a large, rambling house filled with stuffy, old-fashioned Victorian furniture. Although it had a nice garden, it had become overgrown since the war, as only one gardener remained.

Molly got the idea of running a guest house when the solicitor told her and Giles that someone might buy Monkswell Manor with all its furniture to convert it into a hotel or guesthouse. He mentioned that the house was in good repair because the late Miss Emory had done extensive renovations before the war. Inspired by his words, Molly decided to run the guest house herself.

The exterior of the guest house gave the impression of being handed down through generations but slightly neglected due to limited resources. It had tall windows and a large arched doorway that led to the entrance hall and front door.

3. Who was Sergeant Trotter? Why did he cut the telephone wires? Who was Georgie?

Ans: Sergeant Trotter was actually one of the abused children, and his real name was Jim. He was Georgie’s brother.

He cut the telephone wires so that Molly could not contact the police station. Georgie was an abused child who died at Longridge Farm due to the mistreatment by Mrs. Lyon and her husband.

4. Who was Christopher Wren? How did Mr. Wren look? Why did he leave his previous job?

Ans: Christopher Wren was a deserter from the army.

He had a high-pitched, almost querulous voice and was a young man with a shock of sunburned light hair and pale, restless eyes.

He left his job because his mother was killed in an air raid. Her death left him confused and unable to return to his previous career.

5. Why did Mr. Giles dislike Christopher Wren? What doubts did he have about Molly Davis? What was the result of his doubt?

Ans: Mr. Giles believed that Molly had an affair with Christopher Wren. He noticed that Molly enjoyed Wren’s company and suspected that she had maintained a close relationship with him.

Mr. Giles doubted that Molly had invited Christopher Wren to Monkswell Manor so that she could secretly stay with him. He accused her of being unfaithful and assumed she had known Christopher Wren even before their marriage.

As a result, Mr. Giles claimed that Molly had asked Wren to come to Monkswell Manor so she could spend time with him. He became jealous and ended up quarreling with Molly.

6. Where was Mrs. Boyle when she was murdered? How was she murdered? Where did all the people stay at Monkswell Manor when Mrs. Boyle was murdered?

Ans: Mrs. Boyle was in the library of Monkswell Manor when she was murdered.

She was listening to the wireless alone in the library when someone whistled the opening notes of Three Blind Mice. Mrs. Boyle responded without fear, speaking to the person only she could see. Suddenly, she was strangled with the tie of a raincoat and died.

At the time of the murder, Mr. Wren and Mr. Davis were in their separate bedrooms, Mrs. Molly Davis was cooking in the kitchen, Major Metcalf was in the cellar, and Mr. Paravicini was in the drawing room.

7. What did Trotter say to Molly and Giles about the Longridge Farm case?

Ans: Trotter told Molly and Giles that Mrs. Lyon and her husband had mistreated three foster children, which led to the death of the youngest child, who was only twelve years old. Mrs. Lyon, whose real name was Maureen Gregg, and her husband were punished for their crime. Her husband died while trying to escape from jail, and Maureen served her sentence. After her release, she was strangled to death.

Trotter also mentioned that the police suspected the eldest boy, now twenty-three years old, to be the murderer. The girl, the only other child, was believed to have been adopted.

8. Who was the second victim? What was the reason for Mrs. Boyle’s murder? Where did the murder take place? How did the group react after the murder?

Ans: Mrs. Boyle was the second victim.

She had been a billeting officer during the war and had sent three children to Longridge Farm, where the youngest boy later died due to mistreatment. The murderer believed Mrs. Boyle was responsible for the child’s death.

The murder took place in the library of Monkswell Manor.

After Mrs. Boyle’s death, everyone gathered in the kitchen. Major Metcalf, Mr. Wren, Mr. Giles, and Mr. Paravicini looked at one another, visibly shaken. Molly turned pale with fear and trembled with anxiety. She had a glass of whisky for the sixth time, which Sergeant Trotter forced her to drink. Trotter, angry, looked around at the group and asked Molly what she had seen or heard in the hall.

9. What report was given to Inspector Parminter from the fingerprint department regarding the murdered woman? What information did Mrs. Casey give about Mrs. Lyon’s murder?

Ans: The murdered woman, who called herself Mrs. Lyon, was actually Maureen Gregg. She had been released from Holloway Prison two months earlier after completing her sentence.

Mrs. Casey reported that the woman used to bring a man home occasionally and, being a heavy drinker, seemed unafraid of danger. On the day of the murder, the killer rang the bell, and Mrs. Casey directed him to the second floor. She couldn't describe him well but noted he was medium height, had a bad cold, and had lost his voice. She didn’t hear him leave or notice anything suspicious. When she brought tea upstairs, she found the woman strangled.

10. What were the only clues the police had in the case of the murder of Mrs. Maureen Lyon?

Ans: At the crime scene, police found a notebook with two addresses: Seventy-Four Culver Street and Monkswell Manor, along with the phrase Three Blind Mice. This led Sergeant Trotter to believe there was a connection between the Longridge Farm incident and someone staying at Monkswell Manor.

11. Why did Molly become scared after talking to Superintendent Hogben over the telephone?

Ans: Superintendent Hogben informed Molly that he had sent Detective Sergeant Trotter to the guest house and asked her to convince her husband to listen to Trotter carefully and follow his instructions. Knowing that the police were coming to Monkswell Manor made Molly anxious. She began to wonder why the police would visit their guest house, which frightened her after the call.

12. What did Inspector Parminter do after talking to Bill?

Ans: After speaking with Bill, Inspector Parminter looked down at the notebook lying open on his table. Although it was to be sent to the appropriate department for fingerprint analysis and other evidence related to Mrs. Lyon’s murder, Parminter focused on the two addresses written in it and a line of small handwriting at the top of the page, which caught his attention.

13. What did Molly say to Mrs. Boyle about Mr. Wren’s profession? How did Mrs. Boyle react to them? What did Molly tell her when Mrs. Boyle commented on Mr. Wren?

Ans: Molly told Mrs. Boyle that Christopher Wren was an extremely brilliant young architect. Mrs. Boyle replied sharply that she had only heard of Sir Christopher Wren, the famous architect of St. Paul’s Cathedral. She believed Mr. Wren’s parents had named him after the famous architect in hopes that he would become successful too. However, since Mr. Wren had not gained fame, she doubted his professional reputation and said that Molly should have inquired more about him.

Molly responded that she only needed to know about the seven guineas he paid her weekly. Whether she liked her guests or not didn’t matter to her.

14. What did Joe report to Inspector Parminter?

Ans: Joe reported that the murderer gave him a match but didn’t say anything and only whispered when replying to Bill. The man was completely wrapped in a dark overcoat and hat and moved quickly, dropping a small notebook from his pocket. When Joe tried to return it, the man acted nervously, like a scurrying rabbit. Joe couldn’t catch up with him. He described the man as a "funny bloke" whose hat was pulled down over his eyes and who was completely buttoned up, like a criminal.

15. Who discovered that the phone was not working? Why did the phone not work? How did Christopher react then?

Ans: Major Metcalf discovered that the telephone was not working.

Although Molly Davis initially believed that the phone line had gone dead due to snowdrifts, in reality, it had been cut by Sergeant Trotter.

Upon hearing this, Christopher reacted by laughing hysterically.

16. How was Mrs. Boyle? How did she come to Monkswell Manor? Who confronted Mrs. Boyle? What information was revealed about her?

Ans: Mrs. Boyle was a large, stern-looking woman with a powerful voice and a commanding presence. Her naturally aggressive personality had been intensified by her wartime career of persistent and militant service.

She arrived at Monkswell Manor in a local taxi.

Major Metcalf confronted Mrs. Boyle.

It was revealed that Mrs. Boyle had been one of the judges responsible for assigning children to foster parents. She admitted to this role but denied any further involvement or responsibility for what had happened to the children afterward.

17. What seemed the only answer to Mrs. Boyle's problem? Why had she chosen to come to Monkswell Manor?

Ans: Staying at a hotel or boarding house seemed the only solution to Mrs. Boyle’s problem.

Her own home had been requisitioned by the army and required major repairs and redecorating before she could move back. Due to the shortage of domestic help, returning there was not practical. Additionally, her friends had been scattered and displaced. She planned to find a suitable position eventually, but for now, she was simply passing the time. So, she chose to stay at Monkswell Manor.

18. What had deprived Mrs. Boyle of getting a legitimate cause of complaint? What did Mrs. Boyle like more than comfort?

Ans: Mrs. Boyle was curiously more annoyed because her breakfast had been excellently prepared—served with good coffee and homemade marmalade—which left her with no legitimate reason to complain.

She enjoyed finding fault in others more than she appreciated comfort.

19. What appeared to be an answer to prayer for Mr. Paravicini and why? How was he?

Ans: When Mr. Paravicini’s car overturned in a snowdrift, he managed to get out and continued on foot in the midst of a howling blizzard. Seeing the signboard for Monkswell Manor felt like an answer to his prayers.

He was an elderly man with a small black beard and devilish eyebrows. Despite the grey at his temples, he walked with a youthful and lively step.

20. How was Major Metcalf?

Ans: Major Metcalf was a calm, reserved, middle-aged man with a neat, military appearance. He had served most of his time in India. He seemed satisfied with his room and its furnishings. Although he and Mrs. Boyle didn’t share mutual friends, he had known cousins of her acquaintances from “the Yorkshire branch” who had lived in Poona.

His luggage—two heavy pigskin cases—was enough to satisfy even Giles’s suspicious nature.

21. Why was Molly chosen as the third victim? How was the third murder prevented? Was Mollie at fault? How did Trotter react to his ruined plans?

Ans: The child who died at Longridge Farm had written a letter to Molly, asking for help. As a teacher, Molly should have looked into the child’s absence, but she ignored the letter. Jim, disguised as Sergeant Trotter and the child's older brother, wanted revenge and chose Molly as the third victim.

However, Molly was not at fault—Trotter had mistaken her for her sister, who was actually the one being referred to in the letter.

The third murder was prevented when Major Metcalf arrested Sergeant Trotter. In frustration, Trotter said that Georgie (the dead child) would be angry with him.

22. Who doubted Mr. Giles and why? Why did Mr. Giles go to London? What did he hide from Molly and why?

Ans: Molly doubted Mr. Giles after reading the London edition of the Evening Standard. She realized that Mrs. Lyon had been murdered in London on the same day Giles had traveled there, making her suspicious of him.

Mr. Giles had gone to London to buy an anniversary gift for Molly.

He didn’t tell Molly about the trip because he wanted it to be a surprise. That’s why he hid the truth from her.

Exercise-Three Blind Mice

A. Answer the following questions in complete sentences:

How did the end of the Manor look?
Describe the man who came to Culver Street.
How did the newly painted board look?
Where and why had Giles gone in Three Blind Mice?
Describe the furniture of Monkswell Manor.
Where did Mr. Giles serve as a midshipman in 1940?
What is meant by the phrase 'tête-à-tête'?
Why did Sergeant Trotter ask Major Metcalf to go to Mr. Davis’s bedroom?

B. Answer the following questions in about 100 words:

How did Molly Davis inherit Monkswell Manor? How was it turned into a guest house?
"The paper pinned to the dead woman’s body had the writing" – What was written on the paper? What did those written words indicate? How did the woman die?
Who was Mrs. Boyle? How was she murdered, and where did her murder take place?
Explain the dramatic significance of the opening scene of Three Blind Mice.
Who was the unexpected guest at Monkswell Manor? How did he look when Molly saw him peering through the banisters? What caused him to arrive unexpectedly at the guest house?
Which room were the guests assigned to, and when did they arrive?
Why was making breakfast considered the worst task in Three Blind Mice?
Briefly describe the characters of the people who came to stay at Monkswell Manor.
Describe the quarrel that occurred between Giles and Molly after Christopher Wren left the kitchen until Mr. Paravicini entered.
Briefly describe the ending of the play after Molly began to play the piano.
Justify the title of the play Three Blind Mice.
Describe the setting of the play and comment on the ending of the play.
How did Sergeant Trotter reach Monkswell Manor? What did he inform Giles and Molly in the study room?
Write a character sketch of Mr. Wren.
In what manner was the murder mystery unraveled in Three Blind Mice?

📺 MCQ Quiz – Three Blind Mice

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Disclaimer: This study guide is based on my interpretation and does not reproduce the copyrighted text of Agatha Christie’s Three Blind Mice. All rights to the original work belong to the author and her estate.