These comments cause an unsettling air to fall over the dinner party Mrs. He lists four particular examples: the idea of poison as a woman's weapon, a crime of passion, the 'accidental' murder, and a doctor's seemingly limitless opportunities to dispose of patients. Having brought them all to dinner, Shaitana skillfully manipulates the topic of conversation to possible motives for murder. Lorrimer, a perfectly poised gentlewoman of late middle age Major John Despard, a dashing Army man and world traveler, recently returned from Africa and Anne Meredith, a shy, quiet, very pretty young woman. Soon, the other four guests join them: Dr. Upon arrival at Shaitana's house on the appointed day, Poirot is joined by three other guests: mystery novelist Ariadne Oliver, Scotland Yard's Superintendent Battle, and Colonel Race of His Majesty's Secret Service.

He arranges a dinner party to show off this collection Poirot is apprehensive. Shaitana jokes about Poirot's visit to the snuff box exhibition, and claims that he has a better 'collection' that Poirot would enjoy: individuals who have gotten away with murder.

Shaitana, a mysterious foreign man who is consistently described as devil-like in appearance and manner. All of the suspects are reasonably suspectible.Īt an exhibition of snuff boxes, Hercule Poirot meets Mr. Before the evening is over, a murder has been committed. The other four are murderers, or so says the host.Īfter dinner, the host insists on bridge being played, and divides the guests into two tables of four, in two rooms himself sitting out. The host has invited eight to his party, and with devilish glee informs Poirot that of the eight diners, four are more or less specialists in detection - Scotland yard a mystery novelist and so on. Her Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, is invited to a London dinner party, among a most oddly chosen group of guests. The solution to the murder lies not so much in establishing alibis and time of death, tracking footprints or the like, but within a process of superb psychological detective work. Poirot.'Ī neat trick, or a grand slam? Agatha Christie's novel Cards on the Table presents a mystery of an unusual shape. Shaitana leaned forward and laid two fingers on Poirot's shoulder. 'And what do you consider the best objects, artistically speaking, in crime?' inquired Poirot. I collect only the best objects of their kind.' 'The cup used by the Brighton murderer, the jemmy of a celebrated burglar - absurd childishness! I should never burden myself with rubbish like that.

Cards on the table by agatha christie