No one can pull off a murder the way Agatha Christie does, and an exceptional cast at Dreamweavers enhances her efforts in “The Unexpected Guest,” which opened last weekend in Napa.

It goes without saying that if a man runs his car off a road on a foggy night in Wales, and goes to the only house around for help, and there discovers a woman holding a gun next to her dead — shot in the head — husband, that she is the last possible person who could have done him in, at least in Agatha’s world.

For some reason the wayfarer, Michael Starkwedder, (Dal Burns), decides to help the handsome but resigned wife, Laura Warwick, (June Alane Reif) to concoct an alibi, rather than calling the police to turn her in as she requests. Is it to amuse himself because his car is stuck in a ditch? Is he attracted to a comely widow despite what could be a distinct psychopathic streak? Or does he — based on her description of the dead man — think that the victim just got what he deserved?

David Higginbotham portrays the dead Richard Warwick with amazing skill in that he manages to not move for the entire scene in which Warwick’s wayward character is revealed by his wife: An alcoholic crippled while hunting big game, now reduced to sitting in a wheel chair taking pot shots at cats, squirrels and unwelcome visitors. A man who, speeding drunkenly through a village, killed a small boy and was gleeful when he lied his way out of any consequences. A man who taunted his half-witted brother Jan (Ryuan Murphy) with the prospect of being put away. A man who really could have prompted anyone of several choices, aside from him wife, to put a bullet in him.

Let’s see: There’s the imperious matriarch of the family (Rose Marie Sweeney) who admits her son is a “monster.” Miss Bennett (Patti Quinn), the servant, is devoted to the family, especially the man-child Jan, and he, in turn, has a great interest in blood and guns. Henry Angell, (Victor Davis) the smooth and obsequious manservant turns out to have ambition and a bent for blackmail. And then there’s the handsome neighbor, Julian Farrars, (Thom Hinesley) who’s in love with the long-suffering Laura Warwick.

It’s up to Inspector Thomas (Dan Monez) and his poetry-loving assistant Sgt. Calwallader (Robert Silva) to solve the crime, given that they buy the fake alibi Starkwedder devises.

Burns gives an engaging and strong performance as the unexpected guest, and is well matched with Reif as the ambiguous Laura. Other terrific performances are turned in by Murphy as Jan Warwick, whose tangled view of reality and himself could easily lead to murder. Davis just oils his way around the stage marvelously, and one doesn’t doubt that Sweeney’s regal Mrs. Warwick could have done the deed. Then again, Quinn’s edgy emotional Miss Bennett could be either loyal or cuckoo. Hinesley is especially effective as the politician whose ardor cools when he thinks his enamorata has just shot her husband. And of course, it was great fun to see our own former police chief, Dan Monez, poring over fingerprints on stage, along with the charming Silva as the sergeant.

They all rate the high praise director Debbie Bauman heaped on them, as does she for an entertaining production, a classy puzzle in great form.

“The Unexpected Guest” runs through June 15 at Dreamweavers Theater in Napa. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 general admission and $18 for seniors. For reservations and information call 255-LIVE.