Who is the Killer in Murder on the Orient Express?
Agatha Christie’s iconic novel, Murder on the Orient Express, has been a staple of mystery literature for decades. The story follows renowned detective Herculele Poirot as he investigates the murder of a wealthy businessman on the famous Orient Express train. But who is the killer? In this article, we’ll dive into the world of Poirot’s most famous case and reveal the surprising identity of the murderer.
The Case
The story begins on the evening of November 1928, as the Orient Express train travels from Istanbul to Paris. The luxurious train is filled with a diverse group of passengers, including the wealthy businessman, Ratchett, who is traveling alone in his private compartment. As the train rumbles through the night, Ratchett is found stabbed to death in his compartment, with no signs of forced entry or struggle.
The Suspects
As Poirot begins his investigation, he interviews the passengers and crew, gathering a list of suspects with motives and secrets. The list includes:
• Countess Andrenyi: A Hungarian aristocrat with a questionable past
• Dr. Constantine: A Greek doctor with a mysterious connection to Ratchett
• Hildegarde Schmidt: Ratchett’s German housekeeper, who had been fired from her previous position
• Mary Debenham: A young English governess with a hidden past
• Antonio Foscarelli: An Italian waiter with a grudge against Ratchett
• Greta Ohlsson: A Swedish missionary with a strong sense of justice
The Investigation
Poirot’s investigation is a masterclass in observation and deduction. He uses his famous "little grey cells" to piece together the clues, revealing a complex web of motives and alibis. As the detective gathers more information, he discovers that each suspect has a connection to the victim, and that the murder is linked to a tragic event from the past.
The Twist
Just when it seems like Poirot has solved the case, he reveals the shocking truth: there is no single killer. The murder was a joint effort by a group of passengers who were all connected to the victim’s dark past. The motive? Revenge for the kidnapping and murder of a young girl, Daisy Armstrong, who was the daughter of a wealthy American family.
The Killers
The group of passengers who conspired to kill Ratchett, also known as Cassetti, included:
• Countess Andrenyi: Who was the mother of Daisy Armstrong
• Dr. Constantine: Who was a friend of the Armstrong family
• Hildegarde Schmidt: Who was the former housekeeper of the Armstrong family
• Mary Debenham: Who was the governess of Daisy Armstrong
• Antonio Foscarelli: Who was a friend of the Armstrong family
• Greta Ohlsson: Who was a friend of the Armstrong family
The Motive
The motive for the murder was to avenge the death of Daisy Armstrong, who was kidnapped and murdered in 1926. Cassetti, who was responsible for the kidnapping and murder, was a former business partner of the Armstrong family, and his actions had destroyed their lives. The group of passengers, who were all connected to the Armstrong family, came together to exact revenge on Cassetti, using the alias Ratchett.
Conclusion
Murder on the Orient Express is a classic whodunit that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The surprising twist, that there is no single killer, adds a layer of complexity to the story, highlighting the moral ambiguity of the characters. As Poirot wraps up the case, he reflects on the futility of seeking justice in a world where morality is relative. The novel ends with a sense of ambiguity, leaving readers to ponder the nature of justice and morality.
Table: The Suspects and Their Motives
| Suspect | Motive |
|---|---|
| Countess Andrenyi | Mother of Daisy Armstrong |
| Dr. Constantine | Friend of the Armstrong family |
| Hildegarde Schmidt | Former housekeeper of the Armstrong family |
| Mary Debenham | Governess of Daisy Armstrong |
| Antonio Foscarelli | Friend of the Armstrong family |
| Greta Ohlsson | Friend of the Armstrong family |
Bullets: Key Points
• The murder of Ratchett was a joint effort by a group of passengers connected to his dark past
• The motive was revenge for the kidnapping and murder of Daisy Armstrong
• The group of passengers included the mother, friends, and former employees of the Armstrong family
• The murder was a complex web of motives and alibis, requiring Poirot’s expert detective work to unravel
• The novel ends with a sense of ambiguity, highlighting the moral complexity of the characters and the futility of seeking justice
