Murder on the Orient Express: Unraveling the Mystery
Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, a classic whodunit, has been thrilling readers for decades with its intricate plot, memorable characters, and, of course, the shocking reveal of the killer’s identity. Who is the killer on murder on the orient express?
Contents
**A Review of the Story So Far…**
For those who may have missed the boat, here’s a brief recap of the story. Hercule Poirot, a renowned Belgian detective, is traveling on the iconic Orient Express train from Istanbul to Paris when a sudden snowstorm forces the train to come to a standstill. Among the 12 passengers and the 8 crew members, a gruesome murder occurs – American businessman Ratchett, who is not exactly popular among the fellow passengers, is found dead with 12 stab wounds. Poirot’s unique expertise and keen insight are needed to unravel the web of clues and secrets surrounding the murder.
**The Initial Suspects**
As Poirot begins his investigation, he is faced with a formidable cast of suspects, all of whom had motives for the murder. Here’s a brief rundown of the passengers:
| Passenger | Reason for being on the Orient Express | Relationship to Ratchett |
|---|---|---|
| Mrs. Hubbard | Escaped America with a dubious past | Stranger |
| Countess Andrenyi | Travels regularly between Europe and Budapest | Acquaintance |
| Princess Dragomiroff | Escaping Russia due to Bolshevik unrest | Stranger |
| Bouc | Assistant to the director of the French Orient Express | Colleague |
| Mary Debenham | British governess and spy | Stranger |
| Colonel Arbuthnot | Ex-military with an ambiguous past | Known |
These passengers, among others, all had some connection to Ratchett, whether business or personal. But one name stands out – Mary Debenham, whose quiet and reserved demeanor suggests more to her than initially meets the eye.
**The Mysterious Disappearance of an Ally**
Just as Poirot begins to piece together the clues, a major blow comes in the form of the disappearance of Mr. Antipova, a Russian valet who had been present during the murder. What makes his disappearance significant is the small piece of fabric found on his coat that bears a striking resemblance to the material used for Ratchett’s costume at the time of his death.
**Unraveling the Truth**
Poirot now faces an increasingly complex web of clues, all pointing to different individuals and motives. He delves deeper into the backstory of each passenger, piecing together the intricate tale of the kidnapping of Sophia Louisa Hubbard and its subsequent consequences.
| New Clues and Connections | Potential Killers |
|---|---|
| Fragmented Turkish rug material on the murder scene | Mr. Hubbard, mother of Sophia |
| Disturbances on the day of the murder | One or multiple perpetrators |
| Confessions from passengers under suspicion | One or multiple parties |
| Disappearance of Mr. Antipova and connection to Ratchett | Connection to kidnapping ring |
**The Unveiling of the Killer**
After painstaking analysis, Poirot is able to compile an extraordinary list of characteristics, revealing the true nature of the killer. Among these:
| Signs and Traits | Suspects |
|---|---|
| Lack of fingerprints, suspicious of the killer being extremely cautious | Multiple |
| Footwear with untraceable treads, signifying an expert of escape and concealment | Single, expert |
| Absence of any possible connection between the killer and the victims | Single individual, known to the murder scene |
| Presence of red wine stains on clothes | Connection to the rug and wine found at the murder scene |
Based on these clues, it can be concluded that there was a single killer: Mrs. Hubbard, also known as the mother of Sophia Louisa Hubbard.
**But Wait…**
The twist that comes with this revelation? Mrs. Hubbard is an alias! In reality, Mary Debenham is the true killer, disguised as Mrs. Hubbard. It’s a ruse meant to throw everyone off the scent, particularly Poirot.
| Key Moments | Actions |
|---|---|
| Before the murder | Intimates herself with Ratchett, gathering information on the kidnapping |
| Murder takes place | Uses small fragments of Turkish rug fabric from Antipova to avoid fingerprints |
| Covering the tracks | Pretends to be Mrs. Hubbard, an innocent widow |
| Under suspicion | Utilizes the confusion, lies, and misdirection to hide her true identity |
| Confronting the truth | Reveals herself as Mary Debenham, the true culprit, driven by a personal vendetta |
**Conclusion**
The killer in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is none other than Mary Debenham, aka Mrs. Hubbard. Her carefully planned deception, coupled with an impeccable disguise, allowed her to pull off the ultimate crime on the Orient Express. It’s a chilling reminder of the power of deceit and the importance of unwavering attention to detail – traits that set apart a true master of the craft, like Hercule Poirot, from mere mortals.
