Who Was the Killer in Murder on the Orient Express?
Introduction
Agatha Christie’s iconic novel Murder on the Orient Express has been delighting readers for generations with its intricate plot, engaging characters, and unexpected twists and turns. At the center of the story is the baffling murder of Ratchett, an American businessman who is found dead in his compartment on the famous train, the Orient Express. Detective Hercule Poirot, the renowned Belgian detective, is tasked with uncovering the identity of the killer. But who actually committed the crime? This article will delve into the evidence and reveal the surprising answer.
The Facts of the Case
When Ratchett’s lifeless body is discovered, Poirot begins examining the crime scene and questioning the passengers. The only clue is a torn ticket stub and a faint signature on the wall, later revealed to be a backwards "L" (Image 1). Several passengers had motives to kill Ratchett, who was suspected of kidnapping the young Daisy Armstrong, an event that had a traumatic impact on many of them.
Suspects Galore
As Poirot investigates, he meets a cast of suspicious characters, each with their own secrets and motives:
| Suspect | Motive |
|---|---|
| Count Andrenyi | Had lost his sister, Sophia Armstrong, in the kidnapping. |
| Mrs. Hubbard | Was acting strangely and had a checkered past. |
| Greta Ohlsson | Was another passenger who had lost loved ones in the kidnapping. |
| Dr. Constantine | Seemed overly interested in Poirot’s investigation. |
| Hagström | Worked for Ratchett and had a history with him. |
| Cassetti | Was Ratchett’s valet and seemed eager to please. |
However, each of these characters had a solid alibi, and Poirot began to suspect that they were all hiding something (Table 1). As he dug deeper, he discovered that Ratchett was not who he claimed to be and was actually the mastermind behind the kidnapping (Image 2).
Poirot’s Analysis
Poirot, the master of observation, relied on his "little grey cells" to piece together the evidence. He revealed that the killer was unlikely to be a single person, but rather a collective effort (Image 3). By analyzing the crime scene, Poirot deduced that Ratchett was killed within a short period after 9:30 PM (Image 4) and that the killer entered the compartment through the left-hand door (Image 5).
Who Was the Killer?
After considering all the possibilities, Poirot identified the killers as a collective group of passengers who acted together to avenge the kidnapping of Daisy Armstrong:
| Killer’s Motive | Killer’s Identity |
|---|---|
| Avenging the kidnapping | Count Andrenyi, Mrs. Hubbard, Greta Ohlsson, Dr. Constantine, Hagström |
These passengers, unaware of each other’s participation, each had a secret motive to kill Ratchett. Poirot’s ingenious solution was not a single murder, but a symphony of justice, demonstrating that sometimes, justice demands collective action (Image 6).
Conclusion
The identity of the killer in Murder on the Orient Express is a testament to the power of collective justice, as embodied by the brilliant detective Hercule Poirot. By examining the evidence, analyzing the plot, and understanding the psychological motivations of the characters, we can uncover the truth behind this iconic whodunit. The next time you read Murder on the Orient Express, pay attention to the passengers, the motives, and the little grey cells; you might just uncover the surprising answer for yourself (Image 7).
