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Wikipedia criticised for publishing spoiler for The Mousetrap
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Wikipedia has come under fire from Agatha Christie fans and the author's family for refusing to remove an entry on the site which reveals the ending to The Mousetrap.
The play's denouement has been a closely-guarded secret since it opened in more than 50 years ago and theatregoers who see it are requested at the end not to disclose the identity of the murderer.
However, on the Wikipedia entry for The Mousetrap, the name of the guilty party is revealed without warning.
Matthew Prichard, Christie's grandson, told the Independent is it "a pity" the encyclopedia has decided to potentially spoil the play for people.
"My grandmother always got upset if the plots of her books or plays were revealed in reviews - and I don't think this is any different," he added.
Fans are now petitioning the website to change the entry.
The Mousetrap tells the story of Giles and Mollie Ralston, who inherit Monkswell Manor and look forward to being innkeepers there.
However, on their first night, one of their guests is strangled to death, leading to a series of revelations until the culprit is finally unveiled.