Who Did It in Murder on the Orient Express?
Agatha Christie’s iconic mystery novel, Murder on the Orient Express, has been thrilling readers for generations with its intricate plot, memorable characters, and unexpected twists. The story follows the famous detective Hercule Poirot as he investigates the murder of a wealthy businessman on the luxurious Orient Express train. But who did it? In this article, we’ll dive into the details and reveal the shocking truth.
The Mysterious Murder
The story begins with the introduction of Ratchett, a wealthy American businessman, who is found stabbed to death in his compartment on the Orient Express. The train is traveling from Istanbul to Paris, and the passengers are a diverse group of people from different backgrounds and nationalities. As the investigation unfolds, Poirot and his fellow passengers begin to unravel the complex web of motives and alibis.
The Suspects
As the investigation progresses, Poirot identifies a list of suspects, each with their own secrets and motives. Here are some of the main suspects:
- Count Andrenyi: A Hungarian aristocrat who was traveling with his wife, Countess Andrenyi.
- Greta Ohlsson: A Swedish missionary who was on her way to visit her sister in Sweden.
- Hildegarde Schmidt: A German maid who was traveling with her employer, Princess Dragomiroff.
- Dr. Constantine: A Greek doctor who was on his way to visit his sister in Paris.
- Countess Andrenyi: The wife of Count Andrenyi, who seemed to be hiding something.
The Investigation
Poirot uses his famous "little grey cells" to analyze the evidence and piece together the events of the murder. He interviews each of the suspects, gathering information and clues that help him build a picture of the crime. Here are some of the key findings:
- The Train’s Schedule: The train’s schedule reveals that the murder took place during a 10-minute window when the train was passing through a remote section of the Balkans.
- The Murder Weapon: The murder weapon is a dagger found in Ratchett’s compartment, which belongs to Dr. Constantine.
- The Bloodstained Gloves: A pair of bloodstained gloves is found in Count Andrenyi’s compartment.
- The Suspicious Behavior: Greta Ohlsson is seen arguing with Ratchett earlier in the evening, and Hildegarde Schmidt is seen leaving Ratchett’s compartment around the time of the murder.
The Twist
As Poirot continues to investigate, he discovers a shocking twist that changes everything. The murder is not just a random act of violence, but a carefully planned revenge killing. The killer is revealed to be Mrs. Hubbard, a wealthy American woman who was traveling with her husband.
The Motive
But why did Mrs. Hubbard kill Ratchett? The motive is revealed to be a complex web of revenge and justice. Ratchett was actually Cassetti, the man responsible for the kidnapping and murder of Daisy Armstrong, the daughter of a wealthy American family. Cassetti was involved in a conspiracy to kidnap Daisy and demand a ransom from her parents. However, the kidnapping went horribly wrong, and Daisy was eventually murdered.
The Verdict
Poirot reveals that Mrs. Hubbard is the killer, and she is arrested and charged with the murder. But in a surprising twist, Poirot also reveals that he believes Mrs. Hubbard is not entirely responsible for the crime. He believes that she was manipulated by a group of people who were also involved in the conspiracy to kidnap Daisy Armstrong.
The Mastermind
The mastermind behind the conspiracy is revealed to be Count Andrenyi, who was working with a group of people to avenge the murder of Daisy Armstrong. The Count was motivated by a sense of justice and revenge, and he used Mrs. Hubbard as a pawn in his game.
Conclusion
In the end, Poirot’s investigation reveals that the murder was a complex and intricate crime that involved multiple suspects and motives. The killer was revealed to be Mrs. Hubbard, but she was not acting alone. The mastermind behind the crime was Count Andrenyi, who was driven by a desire for justice and revenge. The case of Murder on the Orient Express is a classic example of Agatha Christie’s skill as a mystery writer, and it continues to thrill readers to this day.
Table: The Suspects and Their Motives
| Suspect | Motive |
|---|---|
| Count Andrenyi | Avenge the murder of Daisy Armstrong |
| Greta Ohlsson | Protect her sister from Ratchett’s advances |
| Hildegarde Schmidt | Protect her employer, Princess Dragomiroff, from Ratchett’s advances |
| Dr. Constantine | Protect his sister from Ratchett’s advances |
| Countess Andrenyi | Protect her husband from Ratchett’s advances |
| Mrs. Hubbard | Avenge the murder of Daisy Armstrong |
Bullets: Key Points to Remember
• The murder takes place during a 10-minute window when the train is passing through a remote section of the Balkans.
• The murder weapon is a dagger found in Ratchett’s compartment, which belongs to Dr. Constantine.
• The bloodstained gloves are found in Count Andrenyi’s compartment.
• Greta Ohlsson is seen arguing with Ratchett earlier in the evening, and Hildegarde Schmidt is seen leaving Ratchett’s compartment around the time of the murder.
• The killer is revealed to be Mrs. Hubbard, who was manipulated by a group of people involved in the conspiracy to kidnap Daisy Armstrong.
• The mastermind behind the crime is Count Andrenyi, who was driven by a desire for justice and revenge.
