33 pages • 1 hour read •
Agatha ChristieA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
“This, we trust, will effectually silence the sensational rumors which still persist.”
Nothing could be more sensational than a murder conducted with all the intrigues and complications of a soap opera. As always, Arthur’s protestations of diplomacy and conservatism are exaggerated. Poirot and his case will indeed prove satisfyingly sensational, belying Arthur’s opening protestation.
“I recalled her as an energetic, autocratic personality, somewhat inclined to charitable and social notoriety, with a fondness for opening bazaars and playing the Lady Bountiful. She was a most generous woman, and possessed a considerable fortune of her own.”
Emily Inglethorp is the first in a long career of generous but flighty dowager victims towards which Poirot will feel a debt of justice. Christie was attuned to the vulnerability of older women in society.
‘“Like a good detective story myself,’ remarked Miss Howard. ‘Lots of nonsense written, though. Criminal discovered in last chapter. Everyone dumbfounded. Real crime—you’d know at once.’”
Christie teases the reader’s expectations here, revealing herself to be as much a fan of the cozy mysteries as her audience. Even at this early stage in her career, Christie could expect that her readers were well aware of the most familiar tropes of the form.
By Agatha Christie
A Murder Is Announced
Agatha Christie
And Then There Were None
Agatha Christie
A Pocket Full of Rye
Agatha Christie
Crooked House
Agatha Christie
Death On The Nile
Agatha Christie
Hallowe'en Party
Agatha Christie
Murder at the Vicarage
Agatha Christie
Murder on the Orient Express
Agatha Christie
Poirot Investigates
Agatha Christie
The ABC Murders
Agatha Christie
The Mousetrap
Agatha Christie
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Agatha Christie
The Pale Horse
Agatha Christie
Witness for the Prosecution
Agatha Christie
British Literature
View Collection
Class
View Collection
Class
View Collection
Guilt
View Collection
Horror, Thrillers, & Suspense
View Collection
Immigrants & Refugees
View Collection
Marriage
View Collection
Mystery & Crime
View Collection
Psychology
View Collection
YA Horror, Thrillers, & Suspense
View Collection
YA Mystery & Crime
View Collection