Mrs. McGinty's Dead

First Published: 1952
Setting: Broadhinny

Starring: Hercule Poirot, Mrs. Oliver, Superintendent Spence, Mrs. McGinty (only important because the whole book is about her).

Important Other People: Maureen and Johnnie Summerhayes, James Bentley, Eve and Guy Carpenter, Laura and Robin Upwards, the Wetherby's, the Rendell's, Deidre Henderson, Mrs. Sweetimen

This novel is unique because, as Poirot says, usually the personality of the murdered is the most important aspect of the case. Seeing as Mrs. McGinty was just an ordinary charwoman (and thus not good enough to be important, apparently), the personality of the murderer is what is important in this book. There are a lot of different personalities Poirot has to sort through until he finds one that fits with the crime. 

There are a lot of red herrings in this book, as well as people that you think must be important, but actually aren't. It reminds me of The Murder at the Vicarage, where there were a lot of different characters who eventually were revealed to all have some part in the events surrounding the murder, so I guess that's what I expected here. There are so many characters, and they seem so mysterious that I assume they must be important. It turns out that almost none of them are, they just have silly little things they don't want Poirot to find out about (other than murder). Anyways, ordinary charwoman, extraordinary murderer... less than extraordinary book.

Interesting facts: This is one of the few books where someone actually tries to murder Monsieur Hercule Poirot! This is the only the second appearance of Poirot working with Mrs. Oliver, the first being Cards on the Table. Hastings, Shaitana from Cards on the Table, and Battle are all mentioned, although none make appearances (especially since Shaitana is dead). Apparently, this novel was written after Agatha had recently collaborated with producer Peter Saunders on The Mousetrap, and she had a few frustrations with the process. Mrs. Oliver was used to vent those frustrations, as she says, "You've no idea of the agony of having your characters taken and made to say things they never would have said, and do things that they never would have done. And if you protest, all they say is that it's 'good theatre.'" 

Favorite? No, although Hercule is, of course, ingenious in his deductions. I just always want the plot to be better somehow. 

Death by: cosh on the head, strangulation

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 115

The Count: Poirot-23, Miss. Marple-4, Tommy and Tuppence-2, Hastings-7, Japp-7, Colonel Race-4, Superintendent Battle-5, George-3, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 6, Mrs. Oliver-2, Albert- 2, Superintendent Spence-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: You can't get away from heredity- it's in people as well as in dogs. Power must only be used for the right ends. Life is very unfair- some people never seem to get any happiness. If everyone thinks you know a thing, no one will tell you about it. Acute fear always produces the truth. Everyone has something to hide. Success is on the side of the big mustaches. 

Up Next: Murder with Mirrors