Who Did It Murder on the Orient Express?
The Murder on the Orient Express, a classic whodunit novel by Agatha Christie, has been a beloved mystery for generations. The story takes place in the 1930s, where a luxurious train, the Orient Express, is traveling from Istanbul to Paris. The train is filled with a diverse group of passengers, including a wealthy businessman, a countess, a doctor, and a detective. But when one of the passengers is found murdered, the detective, Hercule Poirot, must use his exceptional skills to uncover the killer.
The Murder
The murder takes place on the night of the second day of the journey. The victim is Ratchett, a wealthy businessman who is traveling alone in his compartment. The next morning, Poirot discovers Ratchett’s body, stabbed multiple times with a knife. The investigation begins, and Poirot must interview the passengers to gather clues and piece together the events of the previous night.
The Suspects
As Poirot interviews the passengers, he discovers that each one has a motive for the murder. Here are some of the main suspects:
- Countess Andrenyi: The countess is a wealthy and elegant woman who is traveling with her husband. She has a history of scandalous behavior and is known for her sharp tongue.
- Greta Ohlsson: Greta is a Swedish missionary who is traveling to Paris to help the poor. She is a devout Christian and is known for her kindness and compassion.
- Dr. Constantine: Dr. Constantine is a Greek doctor who is traveling to Paris to attend a medical conference. He is a brilliant doctor and is known for his calm and collected demeanor.
- Mary Debenham: Mary is a young English governess who is traveling to Paris to take a new job. She is a shy and reserved woman who is known for her kindness and dedication to her work.
- Antonio Foscarelli: Antonio is an Italian businessman who is traveling to Paris to attend a meeting. He is a charming and suave man who is known for his love of women and fine living.
The Investigation
Poirot uses his exceptional skills to investigate the murder. He interviews the passengers, examines the crime scene, and analyzes the clues. He discovers that the murder was committed with a special type of knife that is only available in Istanbul. He also finds a piece of torn fabric near the crime scene that matches the fabric of one of the passengers’ clothing.
The Twist
As Poirot continues to investigate, he discovers that the murder was not committed by a single person, but by a group of people who were all connected to the victim. The victim, Ratchett, was actually the man who had kidnapped and murdered a young girl named Daisy Armstrong. The group of passengers who committed the murder were all connected to the Armstrong family and were seeking revenge for the murder of their loved one.
The Solution
Poirot finally reveals the identity of the killer(s) and the motive for the murder. The killers are:
- Countess Andrenyi: The countess is revealed to be the mother of Daisy Armstrong, and she was one of the passengers who committed the murder.
- Greta Ohlsson: Greta is revealed to be the sister of Daisy Armstrong, and she was also one of the passengers who committed the murder.
- Dr. Constantine: Dr. Constantine is revealed to be the father of Daisy Armstrong, and he was one of the passengers who committed the murder.
- Mary Debenham: Mary is revealed to be the governess of Daisy Armstrong, and she was one of the passengers who committed the murder.
- Antonio Foscarelli: Antonio is revealed to be the boyfriend of Daisy Armstrong, and he was one of the passengers who committed the murder.
Conclusion
The Murder on the Orient Express is a classic whodunit novel that has been a beloved mystery for generations. The story is full of twists and turns, and the solution is both surprising and satisfying. The novel is a testament to Agatha Christie’s skill as a writer and her ability to create complex and intriguing characters.
