Info
Genre: Detective fiction
Pages: 214
Published: 1 November 1937
Goodreads Rating: 4.11 / 5
My Rating: 4 / 5
Plot Summary
While on holiday in Egypt, Hercule Poirot participates in an cruise along the river Nile. The tranquillity of his trip is shattered by the discovery of Linnet Ridgeway’s dead body. The young and beautiful heiress has been shot through the head…
As Hercule tries to uncover the mystery of Linnet’s death he recalls an earlier outburst by a fellow passenger: ” I’d like to put my dear little pistol against her head and just press the trigger.’‘
Yet nothing is ever quite what it seems…
Character Development
Hercule Poirot wishes for a peaceful trip but when murder strikes he is ready to take his role as private detective. His methods and way of thinking might seem unconvential to other passengers but he proves himself capable of solving the mystery.
Linnet Ridgeway, the murdered victim, has a glamorous life full of wealth and social gatherings. As a heiress she is used to receiving everybody’s attention and won’t hesitate pull the right strings in order to get what she wants. One could argue that Linnet is unable to understand how her actions affect others as well as herself.
Simon Doyle is Linnet’s husband and Jackie’s ex-fiance who has a very naive way of thinking. His decision to broke off his engagement with Jackie and marry her best friend causes various problems to the newlywed couple.
Jacqueline ”Jackie” de Bellefort is a woman of noble background who became destitute after her mother lost her fortune in the Wall Street crash. Engaged to the man she loves she is hopeful about their common future but everything changes when he leaves her for her best friend. This tragic event makes the once cheerful Jackie to turn cold and vindictive against Simon and Linnet and eager to destroy their honemoon.
Themes
Money and social position plays an important role in the lives and interactions of the characters as shown through Linnet Ridgeway and Jackie de Bellefort.
Love and the things we do for our loved ones is another important theme which is described perfectly in Jackie’s attitude towards Linnet and Simon.
Last but not least betrayal can come in many forms but it hurts equally.
My Thoughts
As with most of Agatha Christie’s books the ending is something that catches you utterly unprepared. I truly enjoyed how the plot unfolded and each of the characters was very compelling in their own right. Bonus effect that contributed to my enjoyment of the book was definitely the setting in the exotic Egypt.
