Q 01/05

Which spy novelist, a friend of the author, came up with the plot of Lamb to the Slaughter?

A) John le Carré

B) Graham Greene

C) Ian Fleming

D) Len Deighton

Answer · why

C) Ian Fleming

Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, suggested a wife who kills with frozen meat and then feeds it to the detectives. The two men had worked for Br...

Q 02/05

Which much-loved children's author also wrote the adult short story Lamb to the Slaughter?

A) Roald Dahl

B) C. S. Lewis

C) Enid Blyton

D) A. A. Milne

Answer · why

A) Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl published it in 1953, years before Matilda or The BFG. His stories for adults are known for dark humour and a sting in the final lines.

Q 03/05

Which famous film director turned Lamb to the Slaughter into a 1958 episode of his own television series?

A) Orson Welles

B) Alfred Hitchcock

C) Joseph L. Mankiewicz

D) John Huston

Answer · why

B) Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock directed it himself, which he did for only 17 episodes of his anthology series. The story's own author wrote the script.

Q 04/05

In Lamb to the Slaughter, how does Mary Maloney react as she listens to the detectives eating in the next room?

A) She screams

B) She faints

C) She prays aloud

D) She giggles

Answer · why

D) She giggles

She giggles, and that is the story's final image. One of the men, his mouth full, has just guessed that the missing weapon is somewhere very close by.

Q 05/05

In Lamb to the Slaughter, which drink does Mary Maloney persuade the detectives to accept while they are on duty?

A) Whiskey

B) Brandy

C) Sherry

D) Vermouth

Answer · why

A) Whiskey

Whiskey is what the sergeant pours, first for Mary and then, against the rules, for himself. It takes the edge off a search that is going nowhere.