Easy to Kill (Murder is Easy)

First Published: 1939

Setting: Wychwood Under Ashe

Starring: Luke Fitzwilliam, Superintendent Battle, Bridget Conway

Important Other People: Lord Easterfield, Mr. Ellsworthy, Lavinia Fullerton, Amy Gibbs, Major Horton, Honoria Waynflete

In Easy to Kill, we are introduced to Luke Fitzwilliam, a police officer just returned from some far corner of the British empire. Luke is similar to characters such as Lucy Eyelsbarrow, Emily Trefusis, and Arthur Calgary in that he's awesome, but we never see him again. He and Bridget Conway are young still, and they talk to each other in much the same way that Tommy and Tuppence did when they were starting out- easily and casually.

Lord Easterfield is a pompous Napoleon-type who is so self-involved that he does not notice what is going on right in front of him. What's happening is...murder. One of the scariest parts of this book is the cover of the copy I have. I actually have two copies of the same version, and they both scare me. I also think this murderer is one of the few of Agatha's culprits who is genuinely insane, and should be regarded as a homicidal maniac, and is also very scary. There are a lot of deaths in this book, and it's scary to think of this happening in a village- so many people are killed, it's a wonder that the village is still thriving.

Marriage is presented in a number of ways: Marriage as safety for women who don't have a lot of options. Marriage as discipline for wayward souls. Marriage as a convenient arrangement. Bridget takes a cynical, modern view of marriage when she recognizes that she doesn't have a lot of potential to live easily for the rest of her life, and so agrees to marry Lord Easterfield so that she can have that safety and financial protection. Luke totally calls her out on it, claiming that marriage should be about love- what an outdated concept!

Interesting facts: First novel with arsenic poisoning! Even though arsenic is the typical poison that people think of, this is the first time that Agatha used it. Also, I think this is the only case in one of Agatha's novels where someone dies because the murderer induces septicemia in them.

Favorite? Kind of. Too scary, but I do like the ending.

Death by: Arsenic, pushed off a cliff and drowned, pushed off a building, poisoning (oxalic acid, aka hat paint), the introduction of septicemia, run over, cosh. (I'm including everyone who was killed by the murderer, even though some of it takes place before the novel begins, because it is all important to the plot)

Body Count: 7; Cumulative: 63

The Count: Poirot-17, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-7, Japp-6, Colonel Race-3, Superintendent Battle-4, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 2, Mrs. Oliver-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: It's very easy to kill, so long as no one suspects you. It's a great thing to know what you want. No one human being knows the full truth about another human being- not even one's nearest and dearest. Heroines are never killed. Marriage is a form of discipline. One mustn't quarrel with one's bread and butter. Aunts illustrate the triumph of guesswork over logic. Men are more easily deceived than women. If a woman is not happy, she is capable of terrible things. Liking is more important than loving- it lasts.

Up Next: And Then There Were None

Hercule Poirot's Christmas

First Published: 1938

Setting: Addlesfield

Starring: Hercule Poirot, Lee family, Superintendent Sugden

Important Other People: Pilar Estravados, Stephen Farr, Tressilian, Horbury

"Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?"

One of my favorite parts of this book is the dedication. It is dedicated to Agatha's brother in law in response to his complaint that her murders were getting too refined, and he wanted one with lots of blood. This novel is her response to him, and there is plenty of blood to let us know that a murder has occurred, and that it has been violent.

Simeon Lee, similar to Mrs. Boynton in Appointment with Death. They are both presented as tyrants that rule over their families. Mrs. Boynton dictated her family's every move, controlling them completely in mind, body, and spirit. Simeon Lee, on the other hand, does not have the level of control he wishes he had. Because of that, he must occupy himself in other endeavors, such as saying and doing malicious things and observing peoples' reactions. We would think that this streak of evil would be inherited by the tyrant's children, but Mrs. Boynton was killed by an outsider to the family. Simeon, on the other hand, was killed by one of his children, although not who we would expect. The idea of inheritance and nature versus nurture that Christie begins to explore in these two books will be explored in further detail in future novels (particularly Crooked House, Ordeal by Innocence, and Murder with Mirrors). A big difference between Simeon Lee and Mrs. Boyton is that, while I find Mrs. Boynton terrifying, I have to admit that I kind of like Simeon. I have a lot of pity for him, similar to how Sarah King realized that Mrs. Boyton was someone to be pitied because her tyranny only extended over her family. I also like Simeon because, although he is malicious and sneaky, he makes me laugh a little bit. Also, he's senile.

Interesting facts: Three Act Tragedy is mentioned. The book is dedicated to Agatha's brother in law. The theme of the innocent suffering while the police and detectives look for the culprit is introduced in this book, and it is one that Agatha explores in greater detail in later novels. We also are reminded that yellow symbolizes money.

Favorite? Yes. I read it every year at Christmas, and try to read it on the correct days. A bit macabre, perhaps, but definitely fitting.

Death by: Slit throat

Body Count: 1; Cumulative: 56

The Count: Poirot-17, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-7, Japp-6, Colonel Race-3, Superintendent Battle-3, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 2, Mrs. Oliver-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: The world is as you yourself make it. If we seek to keep the past alive we end up distorting it. The world is very cruel to women- they must do what they can for themselves when they are young. A man does not live and die to himself alone.

Up Next: Easy to Kill

Appointment with Death

First Published: 1938

Setting: Petra, Jordan

Starring: Hercule Poirot, Sarah King, Boynton family

Important Other People: Jefferson Cope, Dr. Gerard, Lady Westholme, Miss Pierce

Similar to Why Didn't They Ask Evans, the story opens with a phrase that leads to a mystery that must be resolved. In this case, it is a lot more sinister and a bit more urgent- "You do see, don't you, that she's got to be killed?" The speaker of these words, Raymond Boynton, goes on to explain how killing his mother, Mrs. Boyton, would be like killing or putting down a mad dog. One of the characters shows that she has inside knowledge of what actually happened in Murder on the Orient Express, and asks him, like he did in that case, to let it go. Hercule must refuse because, as he says, he does not condone murder. I think, if the murderer had turned out to be someone different, he may have condoned it in a similar manner to how he did in the Armstrong case.

This is different from some of the other family-centric novels. In other novels, the family usually knows who committed the crime, while here, they all suspect each other because they don't know who committed the crime, creating an atmosphere of guilt and suspicion that causes some of the members of the family to begin to crack. Thankfully, Hercule comes to the rescue in time for everyone (who isn't evil) to have a happy ending. He does love playing the matchmaker.

Interesting facts: One of the characters recognizes Hercule Poirot from his work on the ABC case. Colonel Race is mentioned as Poirot talks about his detecting from Cards on the Table. The events from Murder on the Orient Express are also mentioned.

Favorite? Yes, because I really love the characters and because I really and truly am afraid of Mrs. Boyton. It's funny to think that Agatha wrote about all of these murderers, but hardly any of them really frighten me. Mrs. Boynton, while not a de facto murderer, is still terrifying.

Death by: Digitoxin, shooting

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 55

The Count: Poirot-16, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-7, Japp-6, Colonel Race-3, Superintendent Battle-3, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 2, Mrs. Oliver-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: A man who respects himself strikes out on his own and makes something of his life. No one is truly free- there are different degrees of bondage. If you have a belief in yourself and in the rightness of what you are doing, you can often accomplish things that are well worthwhile. One cannot lie all the time. Love is agony on another's behalf.

Up Next: Hercule Poirot's Christmas

Death on the Nile

First Published: 1937

Setting: Wadi Halfa, on the Nile

Starring: Hercule Poirot, Colonel Race, Linnet Ridgeway, Jacqueline de Bellefort, Simon Doyle

Important Other People: Mrs. Allerton, Tim Allerton, Rosalie and Mrs. Otterbourne, Cornelia Robson

One of the major themes of the book is the idea of how one can want something so passionately that they lose sight of everything else, including rationality and reason. Once one thing becomes your whole reason for existence, you will do whatever it takes to achieve that end, including opening your heart to evil. Poirot knows this, and so takes steps to avoid evil from occurring. He warns Jackie about the possible consequences of her actions because he knows it's always better to prevent a murder than try to get justice after it has been committed. There are three pieces of advice about forgetting the past and moving on the the future in the book, which should have given Jackie a hint...

I also like how this is another one of Christie's murders that takes place in a confined space (although I don't think any other novel is in quite so confined a space as Cards on the Table). The suspect pool is limited, and there are quite a few people who have huge motives for murder. Still, the ones who are most likely to have committed it have alibis. There is only one day of questioning before the truth is revealed, so Poirot and Race have their work cut out for them trying to clear away all the extraneous mysteries and uncover the real motives and alibis.

The whole book is about money. Linnet has too much of it, Jackie and Simon have not enough of it. Simon gets enough of it, but then struggles to come to terms with it all, especially because the finances are controlled by his wife. The idea of money in this era is different- they talk about how poor Jackie is, but she went on a trip to the Middle East...in what way, exactly, is she poor? Even at that time, I can't imagine a trip to the Middle East being affordable for people from all walks of life. I think Jackie must be like many of Agatha's characters who are from the upper class, but have lost their money in some way and become "impoverished" according to their usual or familial standards (like the Lytton Gores from Three Act Tragedy, the Cloades from There is a Tide, and Lance's wife Pat from A Pocketful of Rye). This is also the first novel (I believe) that Agatha makes a point of yellow symbolizing money. Linnet with her golden hair is the supreme symbol of money, while Jackie with her dark hair, is in stark contrast. Love can be a very frightening thing, and the lengths characters in this book go to for love- of a man, and of money, have drastic results.

One final aspect of this book that I really enjoy is all of the extra mysteries that abound on this one trip up the Nile. It keeps the book moving at a face pace, it keeps it interesting, and it also makes it more difficult for Poirot to figure everything out. He does, of course, find the answer to ALL of the questions in the end, but I like how he brings different characters in one by one to basically explain that he knows the truth to their actions. To me, the extraneous mysteries in this book make it even that much more interesting.

Interesting facts: Japp is mentioned... yet again. I think I should keep a tally of how many times Japp is mentioned, but not actually in the story. The trip the group takes up the Nile is similar to one that Agatha and her husband, Max Mallowan, took in the 1930s. The vegetable code mentioned that is used by the man Colonel Race is looking for is similar to the one used in South Africa in The Man in the Brown Suit, which, coincidentally, Race also appeared in.

Favorite? One of them.

Death by: Shooting, stabbing

Body Count: 5; Cumulative: 53

The Count: Poirot-15, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-7, Japp-6, Colonel Race-3, Superintendent Battle-3, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 2, Mrs. Oliver-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: To have money and looks is too much for one person- it isn't fair. Nearly everyone only likes successful people. Marriage has a sobering effect on people. Youth is the time of greatest vulnerability. You can't alter the past- you must live with things the way they are. Give up the past, turn to the future. What is done is done...bitterness will not undo it. When the sun comes out you can no longer see the moon. Do not open your heart to evil because evil will come. There is always a moment where one could hold their hand (as in, make a move). To succeed in life, every detail should be arranged well beforehand. When anything beautiful is dead, it's a loss to the world. Love can be a very frightening thing. It's not the past that matters but the future. "Un qui aime et un qui se laisse aimer" can be very dangerous. (Translation, according to google translate, and which I agree on based on my sketchy knowledge of French: One who loves and one who allows them self to love can be very dangerous).

Up Next: Appointment with Death

Poirot Loses a Client (Dumb Witness)

First Published: 1937

Setting: Market Basing

Starring: Hercule Poirot, Hastings, Emily Arundell (deceased)

Important Other People: Miss Lawson, Charles and Theresa Arundell, Bella Tanios, Bob (the dog, and possibly the greatest character in the book)

I love Bob. In a rather unusual move for Agatha, she gives us an insight into Bob's narrative within the overall narrative that is provided by Hastings. I can't think of another time that she does this, or another time that an animal really features prominently in a novel. I'm not sure why she didn't focus more on animals with the fantastic way she writes Bob and the insights that she gives us into his personality. They are really spot-on for an English terrier.

In the novel, we are told that "It's no good making a fuss after things have happened." Obviously, this is untrue considering the way that Hercule Poirot takes on this case and fights for his client, even though she is dead and buried without any suspicion of foul play. Of course Hercule would be able to find the mystery and pinpoint the murderer without ever having met Emily Arundell and without the support of an investigation by the police. He does get support from Bob- I think the only time an animal helps to elucidate a case for Poirot.

Interesting facts: According to Matthew Bunson, Bob was probably based off a Agatha's own dog named Peter. The book was also dedicated to Peter. Plot idea originally came from one of Agatha's short stories, "How Does Your Garden Grow." Hastings' last appearance until Curtain (sniff!)

Favorite? A very good one. I love Emily Arundell, even though we don't really get to meet her in the sense that she isn't alive during the book, but I love her feisty attitude. I also love Bob. I don't know why Agatha didn't feature more dogs in her books, because she really writes them well.

Death by: Phosphorus poisoning, chloral

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 48

The Count: Poirot-14, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-7, Japp-6, Colonel Race-2, Superintendent Battle-3, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 2, Mrs. Oliver-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: Old people don't understand what it is to live (I disagree). People are prepared to be unscrupulous if paid. The law has a lot of latitude. One must go not by one's feelings but by facts. Every man for himself. Those that isn't married don't know what trouble is. Taste is one thing, brains are another. It's a great drawback to be so sensitive (I can vouch for that!). It's no good making a fuss after things have happened. Sometimes tomorrow is a long way off. Tomorrow succeeds today with monotonous regularity. (those last two directly contradict each other, but both have good advice)

Up Next: Death on the Nile

Cards on the Table

First Published: 1936

Setting: London

Starring: Hercule Poirot, Mrs. Oliver, Battle, Colonel Race (the Sleuths)

Important Other People: Mr. Shaitana. Dr. Roberts, Mrs. Lorrimer, Major Despard, Anne Meredith (The "Murderers")

The plot for Cards on the Table was laid out by Poirot in The ABC Murders. It truly is a crime that Poirot has ordered to test himself. The important aspect is that there are only 4 suspects, and there is no way to figure out who did it except by Poirot using his little grey cells. It is the supreme psychological crime.

We are introduced to Mrs Oliver- the epitome of Agatha herself. One of Mrs. Oliver's books, The Body in the Library, is mentioned by one of the characters, a book that was eventually written by Christie herself. I like Mrs. Oliver a lot and I always enjoy reading about her, and it's mainly because Christie is clearly parodying herself. She describes the clothes Mrs. Oliver wears, her crazy hairstyles and hats, and mocks herself on her "women's intuition" that she uses to "solve" the crimes she comes into contact with. She guesses everyone in turn, which we see as Christie mocking herself for doing the same thing.

One thing that is interesting- one of the characters says that people tend to stick to arsenic for murders, yet Agatha had not written of any murders committed with arsenic up to this point in her writing career (in her novels).

Hercule Poirot has a thoroughly bourgeois attitude towards murder. He doesn't deal with the lower classes and their problems and murders. The one case that sticks out to me as having a lower-class feel is Mrs. McGinty's Dead, being that she's a charwoman, but the other characters involved are upper-class. Murder has become more common nowadays, making it difficult to find a parallel from the early to mid 20th century.

One of my biggest problems with the book is the importance Poirot places on the bridge scores kept by the suspects. Mainly because I don't know how to play bridge, I don't know the rules or terms, and I basically don't understand any part of what's going on with bridge. It's difficult to truly appreciate the importance of the scores, or to even understand what Poirot deduces based off of them, if you don't understand bridge. I feel like more people in 1936 played bridge and understood it. I always feel like it's something I need to learn just to understand this book better. We'll see if that happens...

Interesting facts: Japp is mentioned. This is a crime to order for Poirot's little grey cells. We see Rhoda and Despard many books later in The Pale Horse. Poirot reveals the true solution to the Orient Express to another character, which could ruin the book if you had never read it before.

Favorite? Of Poirot, YES. Of Agatha, I think it's up there because she always wanted to write it for Poirot to solve. For me, after I've read it a few times, I've liked it better. I hated it the first time I read it because I thought it was so unexciting and the bridge part made no sense to me.

Death by: Stabbing, Veronal/evipan, drowning

Body Count: 3; Cumulative: 46

The Count: Poirot-13, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-6, Japp-6, Colonel Race-2, Superintendent Battle-3, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 2, Mrs. Oliver-1

Agatha's Life Lessons: A murderer can be an artist, but he's still a murderer. Man is an unoriginal animal. What can't be cured must be endured. There's nothing like death for bringing out the meanness of human nature. One ought to live frightfully dangerously- if one gets the chance. Life, on the whole, is terribly tame. Men don't do purely disinterested kindnesses. The moment a man's a bad lot, all the girls stick up for him. Things are just the same whether you talk about them or not. Life is a difficult business- it needs infinite courage and a lot of endurance. Men always do take fancies to unsuitable women. Lying is not always a sign of guilt. No one can always be right (not even Poirot!)

Up Next: Poirot Loses a Client

Murder in Mesopotamia

First Published: 1936

Setting: Tell Yarimjah, Mesopotamia (Iraq)

Starring: Hercule Poirot, Nurse Letheran, Dr. and Mrs. Leidner

Important Other People: Dr. Reilly, Richard Carey

This is the first of a few novels that takes place in the Middle East. Agatha was enamored with the area and often accompanied her husband, an archaeologist, on expeditions there. She fell in love with the area and set many of her plots there, this being the first.

Interesting facts: The story is supposed to take place three years earlier than when it was published, right before Hercule went on the Orient Express and came in contact with another murder.

Favorite? No. I don't like Nurse Letheran as a narrator, and the outcome is so far fetched... would you really not recognize someone after a long period of time? It seems so unlikely. I need to hear of something like that happening for real in order to believe it.

Death by: Cosh, Hydrochloric acid (ingested)

Body Count: 2; Cumulative: 43

The Count: Poirot-12, Miss. Marple-1, Tommy and Tuppence-1, Hastings-6, Japp-6, Colonel Race-1, Superintendent Battle-2, George-1, Goby-1, No Recurring Character- 2

Agatha's Life Lessons: Husbands are credulous where illness is concerned. Life's not long enough to be bored. A lady seldom displays curiosity about one's private affairs. Really important people don't need to throw their weight about. Whenever women are cooped up together, there's bound to be jealousy. It's bottling things up that makes them get on your nerves. Murder is a habit. Excuses are not explanations. Marriage changes things. Women are realists. What's happened has happened and can't be mended. A woman who doesn't lie is without imagination and sympathy. However deep you bury and unpleasantness a dog will always dig it up again. Women can put up with a lot when they've got what they want. There is no hatred so great as that of a man who has been made to love a woman against his will.

Up Next: Cards on the Table