Analysis of Agatha Christie's Mystery Fiction
Characters
Author & Detective
1890 - 1976
Christie is a writer of mystery novels and is recognized as one of the three great detective novel writers in the world. She wrote 66 detective fiction, 14 short story collections, and 19 screenplays; her books were translated into 103 languages, sold 2 billion copies worldwide, and were named the best-selling novelist by Guinness World Records.
Since her early years as a student, Christie has traveled frequently between England, France, and Italy. Her travels have provided her with numerous inspirations for her writing. For instance, she once took the famous train, Orient Express, to the Middle East by herself, and this journey led to the well-known Murder on the Orient Express.
(“About Agatha Christie”)
First Appearance: 1920 Last Appearance: 1975
Christie's Belgian detective played by David Suchet.
He has a moustache, he likes things to be extremely tidy and clean, he is confident and proud of his intelligence, and he is also polite and patient (especially to women).
He likes to speak English mixed with French, therefore often be mistaken for French. He will immediately correct others when they mispronounce "Poirot."
He does not often investigate the crime scene. Instead, through psychology, sitting in his chair and will communicate with the suspects to complete his reasoning.
He first appeared in The Mysterious Affair at Styles and died in Curtain; his death was published on the front page of the New York Times.
(“Denouement – Agatha Christie’s Poirot”)
Published: 1920 The origin of Christie’s detective universe Theoretical basis of science plus poison tricks Pure long-form case reasoning
Published: 1926 The use of “misdirection” The unexpected truth Opened up a new writing direction for speculative fiction
Published: 1934 Multiple adaptations into film versions The unexpected murderer Poirot first hesitated between truth and justice
Published: 1936 Serial murder + Murder announced in advance Victims appear to be unrelated Switching back and forth between first-person and third-person narrative
Published: 1936 Four murderers who escaped the law are invited. Four detectives who have appeared in Christie’s other works. Psychological evidence reasoning
Published: 1937 Christie’s precise control of the pace Love and money Serial murder
Published: 1939 No detective Ten unrelated people invited to an isolated island The rhyme that foretells death
Published: 1942 Poirot investigating an old case Psychological reasoning Tragic marriage
Published: 1975 Poirot’s exit piece A murderer without evidence to arrest The balance between justice and truth