Lamb to the Slaughter
"Lamb Murder by Dahl"
"Lamb to the Slaughter" is a short story by Roald Dahl, first published in 1953. The story is about a devoted wife named Mary Maloney who kills her husband Patrick Maloney with a frozen leg of lamb after he tells her he is leaving her for another woman. Mary then proceeds to cover up her crime by cooking the lamb and serving it to the investigating detectives. The detectives eat the lamb and leave, completely unaware that they have just consumed the murder weapon.
The story is known for its dark humor and unexpected twist ending. It has been adapted into several film and television adaptations over the years, and is considered a classic example of Dahl's macabre storytelling style.
Lamb to the Slaughter story
Sure! Here's a brief summary of the story:
Mary Maloney is a devoted wife and expectant mother who waits patiently for her husband, Patrick Maloney, to come home from work. When he finally arrives, he seems distant and cold, and tells Mary that he is leaving her for another woman. Shocked and heartbroken, Mary reacts impulsively and hits Patrick on the head with a frozen leg of lamb, killing him instantly.
In a state of shock, Mary decides to cover up her crime. She cleans up the evidence and puts the lamb in the oven to cook. When the investigating detectives arrive, she pretends to be a grieving widow and offers them the cooked lamb as a meal. They eat it, unaware that they have just consumed the murder weapon.
As the investigation progresses, the detectives are unable to find any evidence of foul play, and they eventually leave. Mary is left alone with her thoughts, still in shock at what she has done but also relieved that she has gotten away with it.
The story is known for its dark humor and unexpected twist ending, as well as its exploration of the psychology of a person who has committed a violent crime.
