Murder in Three Acts by Agatha Christie (1934)

 

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Major characters:

• 1   Sir Charles Cartwright, a retired actor
• 1   Mr. Satterthwaite, observer of the human condition
• 1   Rev. Stephen Babbington
• 1   Mrs. Margaret Babbington
• 1 2 Lady Mary Lytton Gore
• 1 2 Hermione "Egg" Lytton Gore, her daughter
• 1 2 Dr. Sir Bartholomew "Tollie" Strange, a nerve specialist
• 1 2 Anthony Astor, a.k.a. Miss Muriel Wills, a playwright
• 1 2 Miss Angela Sutcliffe
• 1 2 Oliver Manders, the young fellow
• 1 2 Cynthia Dacres, of Ambrosine Ltd., dressmakers
• 1 2 Captain Freddie Dacres
• 1    Miss Violet Milray, housekeeper to Sir Charles
• 1     Hercule Poirot
•    2  John Ellis, butler to Sir Bartholomew

Locale: 

Sir Charles Cartwright's home: Crow's Nest, Loomouth, Cornwall

Sir Bartholomew Strange's home: Melfort Abbey, Yorkshire

Synopsis: 

Act I. Retired actor Sir Charles Cartwright hosts a dinner party. Housekeeper Miss Milray suggests to Sir Charles that she sit at table as well, else there will be 13 - unlucky! (guests are indicated by "1" above). During cocktails, Rev. Stephen Babbington reluctantly sips his, then falls dead. Some suspect foul play. An analysis of his glass reveals nothing suspicious. 

Act II. Nerve Specialist Sir Bartholomew Strange is hosting a dinner party at his home. (guests are indicated by "2" above). Sir Bartholomew sips his port, and falls over dead. Again, nothing is found in his drink, however, an autopsy reveals nicotine poisoning. The butler, John Ellis, disappears completely.

Act III. It now appears the two deaths are linked. An exhumation of Rev. Babbington is ordered and nicotine poisoning is also found. Preliminary inquiry is made by Sir Charles, Egg Lytton Gore, and Mr. Satterthwaite. They concentrate on the guests present at both deaths. Which was the intended victim, and which was a coverup killing? It doesn't make sense. Hercule Poirot eventually enters the investigation and stages a trap in order to identify the killer.

Review:

This novel is divided up nicely into three sections or "acts". The "acts" give a theatrical environment to this story which gives the lead role to actor Sir Charles, who unconsciously assumes mannerisms and speech of his various past roles in an amusing manner. The title also hints that the murders involve a performance of some sort, of which I will not reveal further.

Hercule Poirot makes a brief appearance at the first dinner party, then is not seen until the investigation by Sir Charles, Egg Lytton Gore, and Mr. Satterthwaite is well under way; and they grudgingly accept him into their circle after Poirot "invites himself" in.

Mr. Satterthwaite, the observer of the human condition, is almost our narrator. The story is told in third person, but follows his thoughts and actions closely. At first I expected him to be Poirot incognito, but no. 

A solid Christie which a clever solution. It would help the reader to have a list of those present at the two parties, but it is not defined too well in the book; so refer to my list above.

See also this review by Bev Hankins on My Reader's Block.