- UK
- Collins, London, Sep. 1934
- US
- Dodd, Mead & Co., New York, 1935 as "The Boomerang Clue"
- Redbook Magazine, November 1933 as 'The Boomerang Clue'
Plot
While playing an erratic round of golf, Bobby Jones slices his ball over the edge od a cliff. His ball is lost, but on the rocks below he finds the crumpled body of a dying man. With his final breath the man opens his eyes and says: 'Why didn't they ask Evans?'
Haunted by these words, Bobby and his vivacious companion, Frankie, set out to solve a mystery that will bring them into mortal danger.
Contents
1. The Accident • 2. Concerning Fathers • 3. A Railway Journey • 4. The Inquest • 5. Mr and Mrs Cayman • 6. End of a Picnic • 7. An Escape from Death • 8. Riddle of a Photograph • 9. Concerning Mr Bassington-ffrench • 10. Preparations for an Accident • 11. THe Accident Happens • 12. In the Enemy's Camp • 13. Alan Carstairs • 14. Dr Nicholson • 15. A Discovery • 16. Bobby Becomes a Solicitor • 17. Mrs Rivington Talks • 18. The Girl of the Photograph • 19. A Council of Three • 20. Council of Two • 21. Roger Answers a Question • 22. Another Victim • 23. Moira Disappears • 24. On the Track of the Caymans • 25. Mr Spragge Talks • 26. Nocturnal Adventure • 27. 'My Brother was Murdered' • 28. At the Eleventh Hour • 29. Badger's Story • 30. Escape • 31. Frankie Asks a Question • 32. Evans • 33. Sensation in the Orient Café • 34. Letter from America • 35. News from the Vicarage
Characters
Robert "Bobby" Jones • Lady Frances (Frankie) Derwent • Dr. George Arbuthnot • Henry Bassington-ffrench • Roger Bassington-ffrench • Sylvia Bassington-ffrench • Tommy Bassington-ffrench • Badger Beadon • Alan Carstairs • Amelia Cayman • Leo Cayman • Reverend Thomas Jones • Lord Marchington • Dr. Nicholson • Moira Nicholson • Gladys Roberts • Frederick Spragge • Inspector Williams
Films & TV
- Why Didn't They Ask Evans?, UK, 1980
- TV drama list
- Why Didn't They Ask Evans?, ITV/UK, 2011
- Agatha Christie's MARPLE Season 4
- Pourquoi pas Martin?, FR, 2013
- Les petits meurtres d'Agatha Christie Saison 2
- Why Didn't They Ask Evans?, UK, 2022
- TV drama list
UK/US covers
Collins / Fontana Books / HarperCollins
- Collins The Crime Club, 1934
- Collins, 1934
- The Albatross Crime Club 133, 1934
- Collins, 1938
- Collins, 1950 9th
- Collins, 1958
- Collins White Circle 9, 1936
- White Circle
- Fontana Books 114, 1956
- Fontana Books 114, 1959
- Fontana Books, 1966; Cover by Tom Adams*
- William Collins, 1968; Greenway edition; Hardcover
- Fontana Books, 1972; ISBN:9780006130765; Cover by Tom Adams*
- Fontana Books 4208, 1976; Cover by Tom Adams*
- Crime Club, 1979
- Fontana Books, 1985; Cover by M.B.
- Fontana Books, 1990; ISBN:9780006166061
- HarperCollins, 1996
- HarperCollins, 1998; Hardcover; ISBN:9780006166061
- HarperCollins, 2002
- HarperCollins, 2008; Masterpiece edition; ISBN:9780007122608
- HarperCollins, 2010; Facsimile edition/Hardcover; ISBN:9780007354603
- William Morrow Paperbacks, 2012; ISBN:9780062074126
- Collins, 2012; ELT Reader; ISBN:9780007451593
- Center Point, 2013; Library Binding/Hardcover; ISBN:9781611737110
- HarperCollins, 2017; ISBN:9780008196288
- HarperFiction, 2018; ISBN:9780008255954
- Newbury House Publishers, 2019; ISBN:9780062879813
- HarperCollins, 2022; TV tie-in edition; ISBN:9780008521356
Dodd, Mead and Company / Grosset & Dunlap
- Dodd, Mead & Co., 1935; Hardcover; ♦Katsurou Hayashi
- Grosset & Dunlap, 1935; ♦William Homer
- Dodd, Mead & Co., 1968; Greenway edition; Hardcover
- Dodd, Mead & Co., 1987; Winterbrook edition; Hardcover; ISBN:9780396091554
Dell Books
- Dell Books 46, 1944; Cover by Gerald Gregg
- mapback by Ruth Belew
- Dell Books 664, 1953; Cover by Fernando Texidor
- mapback by Walter Brooks
- Dell Books D340, 1960; Cover by William Teason; ♦Sheldon Goldberg
- Dell Books, 1966
- Dell Books 704, 1971; ♦Sheldon Goldberg
- Dell Books, 1975; Cover by William Teason
- Dell Books, 1978; Cover by William Teason; ISBN:9780440107040
- Dell Books, 1979; Cover by William Teason; ISBN:9780440107040
- Dell Books 10704, 1981
Pan Books
- Pan Books X736, 1968; ISBN:9780330107365
- Pan Books, 1971
- Pan Books, 1978; ISBN:9780330107365
- Pan Books, 1980; ISBN:9780330107365; ♦Lauralee(ManorBooks)
Berkley Books
- Berkley Books, 1986; ISBN:9780425098554
- Berkley Books; ISBN:9780425098554
- Berkley Books, 1992; ISBN:9789994590056
- Berkley Books, 1997; ISBN:9780425098554
other publishers
- Putnam, 1990
- St.Martin's Press, 2002; ISBN:9780312981594
- Bestseller Mystery B39, 1943
- Ulverscroft Large Print, 1974; Hardcover; ISBN:9780854562701
- Planet Three Publishing
- G.K.Hall; ♦Ralf M.M. Stultiëns
Western Europe covers
Pourquoi pas Evans?
Le Masque (#241) 1937
- Le Masque, 1937
- Le Masque, 1949
- Le Masque, 1959
- Le Masque, 1980
- Le Masque, 1983
- Le Masque, 1993; ISBN:9782702412015
- Masque Christie, 2006; fac similé; ISBN:9782702432754
- Le Masque; ISBN:9782702424285
- Masque Christie, 2014; ISBN:9782702441442
Club des Masques (#9) 1966
- Club des Masques 1966; Cover by Tom Adams*
- Club des Masques, 1982; ISBN:9782702413500
- Club des Masques, 1999; ISBN:9782702413500
Le Livre de Poche (#5671) 1982
- Le Livre de Poche, 1982; ISBN:9782253030102
- Le Livre de Poche, 2003; ISBN:9782253030102
- Le Livre de Poche; ISBN:9782253030102
- Le Livre de Poche, 2023; ISBN:9782253939757
other publishers
- Hachette: Collection Agatha Christie (29), 2004; ISBN:9782846343978
- Edito-Service S.A., 1962
Waarom Evans niet?
- Sijthoff, 1964
- Sijthoff, 1969
- Sijthoff, 1974; ♦Eric Gellaerts
- Sijthoff, 1974; ♦Paula Dekkers
- Sijthoff, 1974
- Sijthoff, 1983
- Sijthoff, 1984
- Luitingh-Sijthoff, 1991; Poema; ISBN:9789024516179
Dutch Media Group, 2015; Het Laaste Nievus
- Overamstel Uitgevers, 2015; ISBN:9789048823093
Ein Schritt ins Leere
- Scherz, 1992
- Scherz, 1994; ISBN:9783502512868
- Scherz, 1994
- Scherz, 1996
- Scherz, 2002; ISBN:9783502518488
- Goldmann, 1951
- Goldmann, 1955
- Goldmann, 1960
- Goldmann, 1968
- Goldmann
- Goldmann, 1979; ISBN:9783442000708
- Goldmann, 1983; ISBN:9783442000708
- Goldmann, 1985; ISBN:9783442000708
- Goldmann, 1997; ISBN:9783442439492
- Fischer, 2005; ISBN:9783596168903
- Hachette, 2009
- Atlantik, 2021; ISBN:9783455011852
Northern Europe covers
Varför bad de inte Evans?
- Bonniers, 1943; Bonniers detektivromaner
- Bonniers, 1966; Zebra Special (15); Cover by Tom Adams*
- Bonniers, 1977; Delfinserien (568); ISBN:9789100435073; Cover by Tom Adams*
- Bonniers, 1984; ISBN:9789100463502; Cover by Leslie Quagraine
- Bonniers, 1990; Bokia; ISBN:9789100550387; Cover by Jan Sjöberg & Anders Backman
- Bonniers, 1995; Bonnierpocket; ISBN:9789100560072; Cover by Leslie Quagraine
Hvorfor spurgte de ikke Evans? // Hændeligt uheld?
- Hændeligt uheld?; Carit Andersen, 1965
- Hændeligt uheld?; Forum Krimi, 1973
- Hændeligt uheld?; Forum Krimi, 1984
- Peter Asschenfeldts, 1999
- Rosenkilde, 2017
- Lindhardt og Ringhof, 2024; ISBN:9788727193106
Hvorfor spurte de ikke Evans?
- Aschehoug, 1948
- Aschehoug, 1969; Cover by Erik Artell
- Aschehoug, 1979
- Aschehoug, 1981
- Aschehoug, 1988
- Aschehoug, 1996; ISBN:9788203202346
Askel tyhjyyteen
- WSOY: SAPO(3), 1953/1956
- *OMNIBUS*
WSOY, 1977; ISBN:9789510080740; Cover by Tom Adams*
- WSOY, 1981; ISBN:9789510102978
- WSOY: SAPO(3), 1990; ISBN:9789510155172
- WSOY, 2010; ISBN:9789510366011
Hver er Evans?
Miks nad ei kutsunud Evansit?
- Oktoober, 1991
- Varrak, 2023; ISBN:9789985358221
Kodėl nepaklausė Evans? / Kodėl nepaprašė Evans?
- Kodėl nepaklausė Evans?; Poli, 1996; ISBN:9789986511038
- Kodėl nepaprašė Evans?; Sirokas, 2008; ISBN:9789955740070
Southern Europe covers
Perché non l'hanno chiesto a Evans? // Ritratto di Ignota
- Mondadori, 1979; I Classici del Giallo(328)
- Mondadori, 1989
- Ritratto di Ignota; Mondadori, 1991; I Classici del Giallo(646); Cover by Carlo Jacono
- Mondadori, 1995; Oscar scrittori moderni; ISBN:9788804397250
- Mondadori, 2003; Oscar scrittori moderni; ISBN:9788804520887
- Hachette Fascicoli, 2005
- Mondadori, 2010; ebook; ISBN:9788852014796
- Mondadori, 2014
- Mondadori, 2019; Oscar gialli; ISBN:9788804709145
¿Por qué no le preguntan a Evans? /Trayectoria de Boomerang / Trayectoria de Bumerán
Trayectoria de Boomerang
- Biblioteca Oro(#232), 1948
- Biblioteca Oro(#152), 1958
- Biblioteca Oro(#152), 1965; Cover by Tom Adams*
- Biblioteca Oro(#152), 1975; ISBN:9788427201521
- Molino, 1996; ISBN:9788427285194
- Planeta
- Planeta, 2017; Colección Agatha Christie; ISBN:9789504956594
- La Nacion
Trayectoria de Bumerán
- Molino, 2004; ISBN:9788427298507
¿Por qué no le preguntan a Evans?
- Espasa, 2022; ISBN:9788467066630
- Espasa, 2022; Espasa Narrativa; ISBN:9788467066593
- Booket, 2023; ISBN:9786070797262
- Planeta-DeAgostini, 2024; Colección Agatha Christie: Sus mejores novelas(39)
- Booket, 2025; ISBN:9788467076912
Cursa de bumerang / La cursa del bumerang
- La Llar del Llibre(#5), 1986; ISBN:9788472792272
- La Llar del Llibre(#5)
- Columna, 1996; ISBN:9788483001608
Por que não Pediram a Evans? / Perguntem a Evans / Porque não Pediram a Evans?
Por que não Pediram a Evans?
- Nova Fronteira, 1976
- Círculo do Livro, 1983
- Nova Fronteira, 1986
- Record, 1987
- Record, 2000
- L&PM, 2006; ISBN:9788525415714; ♦Vicente Nogueira
- L&PM Pocket, 2015; ISBN:9788525431899
- HarperCollins Brasil, 2021; ISBN:9788595085930
Perguntem a Evans
- Livros do Brasil, 1974; Colecção Vampiro(#328)
Porque não Pediram a Evans?
- ASA(#36), 2008; ISBN:9789892304557
Κραυγή θανάτου / Οκτώ κόκκοι μορφίνης / Γιατί δεν ρώτησαν τον Έβανς; / Γιατί δε φώναξαν την Έβανς; / Εβανς... γιατι δεν ηταν εκει? / Η Κυρία Έβανς
- Κραυγή θανάτου
- Ξενόπουλος, 1985
- Οκτώ κόκκοι μορφίνης
- Λυχνάρι, 1970
- Λυχνάρι, 2019
- Λυχνάρι; ISBN:9789605170257
- Λυχνάρι(A030), 1997; ISBN:9789605170257
- Λυχνάρι, 2008; ISBN:9789605172992
- Λυχνάρι(M064), -
- Γιατί δεν ρώτησαν τον Έβανς;
- Καλοκάθη, 1993
- Καλοκάθη, 1997
- -
- Καλοκάθης, 1993
- Ελληνική Εκδοτική, -
- Γιατί δε φώναξαν την Έβανς;
- Ψυχογιός, 2019; ISBN:9786180131826
- Εβανς... γιατι δεν ηταν εκει?
- Ερμειας, -
- Γαλαξιασ, 1970
- Η Κυρία Έβανς
- Λιβάνης, 1990; ISBN:9780002360227
Zasto nisu pitali Evansa?
- Mladinska knjiga (Beograd), 2009; ISBN:9788679281432; ♦Svetlana Andjelic
- Mladinska knjiga (Beograd), 2016
Zašto nisu pitali Evansa
- Nova knjiga, 2020
Zašto nisu pitali Evansa?
- Globus (Zagreb), 1980; ♦Svetlana Andjelic
- V.D.T. (Zagreb), 2009; ♦Svetlana Andjelic
- Mladinska knjiga (Zagreb), 2011; ISBN:9789531408646
Zakaj ne Evans?
- Državna založba Slovenije (Ljubljana), 1979
- Globus (Zagreb, Ljubljana), 1981
- Mladinska knjiga (Ljubljana), 2012
Eastern Europe covers
Prečo nepožiadali Evansa?
- Slovenský spisovateľ, 2023; ISBN:9788022025478
Proč nepožádali Evanse?
- Knižní klub, 2005; ISBN:9788024202679
- Knižní klub, 2010; ISBN:9788024227894
- Kalibr, 2022; ISBN:9788024282244
Miért nem szóltak Evansnak? // Miért nem hívták Evanst?
- Miért nem hívták Evanst?; Palladis, 1937; ♦Sugar Viktoria
- Magyar Könyvklub/Európa Kiadó, 1998; Képkeretes-Sorozat; ♦Czibóka Tamas
- Aquila Kiadó, 2006; Aquila Könyvek;
- Aquila Kiadó, 2007; Aquila Könyvek; ♦Horváth Tamás
- Európa Kiadó, 2012; Agatha Christie 125-Sorozat; ISBN:9789630794879
- Helikon Kiadó, 2019; ISBN:9789634792376
Защо не повикаха Евънс?
- Абагар, 1993
- Ера(#68), 2016; ISBN:9789543893904
- Ера, 2021
Dlaczego nie Evans?
- Prószyński i S-ka: Biblioteczka Konesera, 1994; ISBN:9788373375635
- Wydawnictwo Dolnośląskie, 2001
- Hachette Polska: Kolekcja Hachette: Agatha Christie, 2003; ISBN:9788371847332
- Prószyński i S-ka: Biblioteczka Konesera, 2003; ISBN:9788372558275
- Wydawnictwo Dolnośląskie, 2011; Agata Christie - Królowa Kryminału; ISBN:9788324588497
- Wydawnictwo Dolnośląskie, 2013; Klasyka Kryminału; ISBN:9788324592838
- Wydawnictwo Dolnośląskie, 2015; ebook
- Wydawnictwo Dolnośląskie, 2016; Agatha Christie Kolekcja Kryminałów(48); ISBN:9788327154699
De ce nu Evans? / De ce nu i-au cerut lui Evans?
- De ce nu i-au cerut lui Evans?: Excelsior-Multi Press, 1995
- De ce nu Evans?: Litera, 2025; Abonament Agatha Christie vol.37; ISBN:9786303423845
Чому не Еванс?
- Клуб Семейного Досуга, 2021; ISBN:9786171283480
- Клуб Семейного Досуга, 2023; ISBN:9786171283480
Почему не Эванс? // Почему не позвали Уилби?
Почему не позвали Уилби?
- Международный книжный дом, 1997
- АСТ, 2002; ISBN:9785170124749
- АСТ, 2004; ISBN:9785170275939
- *OMNIBUS*
Мастацкая літаратура, 1993
Почему не Эванс?
- Эксмо, 2009; ISBN:9785699346219
- Эксмо, 2010; ISBN:9785699326914
- Эксмо, 2012; Детективный клуб Агаты Кристи; ISBN:9785699613151
- Эксмо, 2015; Агата Кристи. Серебряная коллекция; ISBN:9785699812738
- Hachette, 2018; Коллекция Агата Кристи
- Эксмо, 2021; Агата Кристи. Любимая коллекция; ISBN:9785041222055
Why Didn't They Ask Evans?
- АСТ, 2004
- Менеджер, 2005
- Менеджер, 2005
Middle East & Asian covers
Neden Evans'a Sormadılar? / Evans Nerede / Ceset Dedi Ki / Esrarlı Kayalık / Evans'a Neden Sormadılar / Uçurumdan Aşağı
- Evans Nerede; Türkiye, 1963
- Uçurumdan Aşağı; Ak Kitabevi, 1963
- Ceset Dedi Ki !..; Altın Kitaplar, 1977
- Evans'a Neden Sormadılar; Ak Kitabevi, 1978
- Esrarlı Kayalık; Şilliler Yayınevi, 1981; Cover by Tom Adams*
- Ceset Dedi Ki ...; Altın Kitaplar, 1988
- Neden Evans'a Sormadılar?; Altın Kitaplar, 2011; ISBN:9789752113411
- Neden Evans'a Sormadılar; Altın Kitaplar, ; ISBN:9789752113411
כדור בשדה הגולף / למה לא ביקשו את אוואנס
- Tel Aviv : M. Mizraḥi, 1980
- Tel-Aviv : Deshe, 1960
لماذا لم يسألوا إيفانز؟ / لغز الصورة
- لماذا لم يسألوا إيفانز؟
Why didn't they ask Evans?
- JARIR Reader, 2009; ISBN:6281072061579
- JARIR Reader, 2009; ISBN:6281072061579
- AJYAL Publishers
- لغز الصورة
Picture puzzle
- دار الحرية للصحافة والطباعة والنشر
- الدار العربية للكتاب
چرا از ایوانز نخواستند؟ /
چرا از اوانس نپرسیدند
- چرا از ایوانز نخواستند؟
Why didn't they ask Evans?
- Hermes books, A.P.1393; ISBN:9789643636456
- Hermes books, A.P.1389; ISBN:9789643636456
- چرا از اوانس نپرسیدند
Why didn't they ask Evans?
- A.P.1395
- ترانه
A.P.1389; ISBN:9789645638601
হোয়াই ডিডন’ট দে আস্ক ইভান্স
- হোয়াই ডিডন’ট দে আস্ক ইভান্স অ্যান্ড আদার স্টোরিজ; আদী প্রকাশন, 2018; ISBN:9789849405238
මාරයකුගේ පාපොච්චාරණය
- Fast Publishers, ; ISBN:9789556774276
Pembunuh di Balik Kabut // Langkah-langkah Maut
- Gramedia; Cover by Tom Adams*
- Gramedia, 1998; ISBN:9789794035887; Cover by Tom Adams*
- Gramedia
- Gramedia, 2018; ISBN:9789792286496
- Langkah-langkah Maut; Mekar Jaya, 1980
- Cover by Tom Adams*
ฆาตกรย้อนรอย / พยาบาทฆาตกรรม
- ฆาตกรย้อนรอย
The murderer returns
- 1980(2523); ♦Rattanachai Lueangwongngam
- น้องใหม่, 1995(2538); ♦Rattanachai Lueangwongngam
- สร้างสรรค์บุ๊คส์, 2006(2549); ISBN:9789743414343; ♦Ratakorn
- พยาบาทฆาตกรรม
Murderous revenge
- กาญจนา
Tại Sao Không Là Evans? / Người trong ảnh
- Tại Sao Không Là Evans?
- Tại Sao Không Là Evans?
- Người trong ảnh
- Người trong ảnh
悬崖上的谋杀 / 為什麼不找伊文斯?
悬崖上的谋杀
- 贵州人民出版社(阿加莎·克里斯蒂作品全集), 1998; ISBN:9787221047083
- 人民文学出版社(阿加莎·克里斯蒂侦探推理系列), 2010; ISBN:9787020081806
- 商务印书馆(阿加莎·克里斯蒂经典侦探作品集), 2018; ISBN:9787100159210
- 商务印书馆(阿加莎·克里斯蒂经典侦探作品集), 2019; ISBN:9787100173896
- 新星出版社(阿加莎·克里斯蒂作品77), 2019; ISBN:9787513335478
為什麼不找伊文斯?
- 遠流出版(克莉絲蒂推理全集), 2004; ISBN:9789573251620
なぜ、エヴァンズに頼まなかったのか? / 謎のエヴァンス / 謎のエヴァンズ殺人事件
なぜ、エヴァンズに頼まなかったのか?
- 早川書房, 1959, 1976(2nd); ハヤカワ・ポケット・ミステリ(526)
- 早川書房, 1981; ハヤカワ・ミステリ文庫(HM1-62); ISBN:9784150700621; Cover by Hiroshi Manabe
- 早川書房, 2004; クリスティー文庫(78); ISBN:9784151300783
謎のエヴァンス
- 創元推理文庫, 1960
- 創元推理文庫, 1960, 1984(41st)
- 創元推理文庫, 1960; ISBN:9784488105181; Cover by ひらいたかこ
謎のエヴァンズ殺人事件
- 新潮文庫, 1989; ISBN:9784102135167
すりかえられた顔
- 小学館/中二文庫, 1962
- 高文社(Mystery Digest Series), 1963
- 学研/中学生傑作文庫, 1967
- 偕成社, 1969; 世界探偵名作シリーズ(6)
- 学研/Teens Fresh Books, 1973
海辺の殺人
- 金の星社, 1962; 少女・世界推理名作選集(8)
- 金の星社, 1965; 少女・世界推理名作選集(8)
- 金の星社, 1980; 少女・世界推理名作選集(8)
- 海辺の怪事件; 旺文社/中学時代一年生付録, 1960
- しろうと探偵危機一髪; 集英社, 1972; ジュニア版世界の推理(15)
- なぜエヴァンズにいわない?; 偕成社文庫, 2004; ISBN:9784036524907
왜 에번스를 부르지 않았지? / 부머랭 살인사건 / 왜 에반스에게 부탁 안했지 / 왜 이밴스에게 부탁 안했지 / 수수께끼의 에반스
왜 에번스를 부르지 않았지?
- 황금가지, 2007; 애거서 크리스티 전집 22; ISBN:9788982737220
- 황금가지, 2016; 애거서 크리스티 전집 완전판; ISBN:9788982737220
부머랭 살인사건
- 해문출판사, 1987; ISBN:9788938202277
- 해문출판사, 1999; 애거서 크리스티 미스터리27
왜 에반스에게 부탁 안했지
- 일신서적출판사, 1988; IL.SIN MYSTERY COLLECTION 8; ISBN:9788936604080
왜 이밴스에게 부탁 안했지
- 자유시대사, 1986; 애거서 크리스티 문고9
- 자유문학사, 1993; 추리문학19; ISBN:9788942400607
수수께끼의 에반스
- 해문출판사, 1991; 팬더 추리걸작시리즈26