The play was written between 1961 and 1962, drawing on Stoppard's experiences as a Bristol theatre critic. It was initially named "The Stand-ins" and later, "The Critics". It is a parody of the stereotypical parlor mystery in the style of Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap", as well as of the critics watching the play, with their personal desires and obsessions interwoven into their bombastic and pompous reviews. The title is a direct reference to the ending of "The Mousetrap", a play well known for guarding the secrecy of its twist ending, although the producers of Agatha Christie's play could not publicly object without drawing even more attention to the fact.