Christie's Detectives

by Micki Demby Kleinman

Agatha Christie’s world-renowned detective Hercule Poirot holds a special place in the public’s heart. First appearing in Christie’s debut novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, the public was captivated by this strange man and his keen ability to use inductive reasoning to solve seemingly unsolvable crimes. In addition to Christie’s 33 novels and two plays starring Detective Poirot, there are countless British TV shows, radio dramas, and blockbuster movie adaptations in which Poirot is brought to life. Poirot left such an indelible mark on culture, that upon his “death” in his final book, Curtain, The New York Times published its first-ever obituary of a fictional character.

Hercule Poirot, famed Belgian policemanturned-detective, arose during the Golden Years of Detective Fiction, a time in the 1920s and ’30s with an abundance of detective fiction novels that often contained similar patterns to one another. Poirot is physically characterized by his shortness, his egg-shaped head, and his distinctive mustache, which was “stiff and military,” and further described as “enormous,” “immense,” “gigantic.” His signature, illustrious mustache precedes him, and becomes almost a sidekick to the detective. The way Poirot chooses to present himself is indicative of the traits that appear in his detection. Poirot is particular, specific, and pays immaculate attention to detail. Unlike other investigators who may rely on external evidence, Poirot is remarkable in that he uses psychology to understand a case and to form conclusions. By having a deep understanding of the criminal mind, and a desire for order and method, Poirot is able to solve cases that others can’t.

In addition to Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie created other iconic detective characters in her novels, including Miss Jane Marple and the duo Tommy and Tuppence. Each of these characters have a unique background that allows them to bring unique and intriguing traits to their detecting.

Miss Marple may at first appear to be just an older lady with a passion for knitting, gardening, and gossiping, but there is more to her than meets the eye. She uses her unassuming persona, and keen perception of human nature in order to solve mysteries in her small village. At times Miss Marple’s gossipy nature works to her benefit, as she uses it to glean information about the mystery in front of her. Other Christie novels involve the married duo Tommy and Tuppence. Tommy and Tuppence have an adventurous spirit and a can-do attitude that allows their journeys to be far-reaching, odd, and unexpected. In their first story, the two struggle to find jobs after World War I, so they start an agency titled “Young Adventurers Ltd”—"Willing to do anything. Go anywhere... No unreasonable offer refused." The two’s personalities complement each other: Tommy’s thoughtfulness paired with Tuppence’s charisma make them out to be an unusual and unstoppable duo. Christie is known to have said that these two hold a special place in her heart because they were her only characters whose ages and development she tracked in accordance to her own. In a way, they aged and grew together.

Christie's works are full of captivating, witty, and intriguing characters. Specifically, Agatha Christie’s detectives have had a remarkably enduring impact on literature and culture. Each detective’s distinctive perspective enables them to be unique puzzle solvers, and their unique quirks makes journeying with them a delight.