Obviously you can simply skip to the last chapter, but here are a few clues that might help you work out by yourself who dunnit before the denouement.
Be suspicious early
The murderer is always introduced in the first half of the book so keep your eyes peeled early doors. HOWEVER, you’re not looking for a typical criminal. Christie’s murderers are usually unlikely, so watch out for any pillars of the community: vicars, doctors, etc, or anyone with a watertight alibi.
Heed the mid-way clue
Christie didn’t want her readers to feel cheated, so often drops an absolute clanger of a clue about halfway through the book. It’s usually so quickly glossed over that you don’t take much note until the killer is unmasked and you remember and kick yourself.
Spot the devil in the detail
Big Data on Christie novels shows up all sorts of interesting coincidences but you need to be in the know to use them to your advantage, so listen up. If it’s set in a country house or there are lots of cars featured, the murderer is almost certain to be female. If cause of death is strangulation, the killer will be male. Christie regularly uses the word ‘interesting’ to describe a clue that is a red herring and glosses over the ‘real’ clues. Yep, we only said she was a great novelist, not a great poker player.
You can find more miscellaneous fun and games on our monthly Miscellany pages at the back of every issue of The Simple Things.
