One, Two, Buckle My Shoe (1940) Quiz

Answer: Henry Morley

Christie describes Henry Morley as "a small man with a decided jaw and a pugnacious chin". Although his murder was arranged to look like suicide, Japp was not entirely convinced and called in Hercule Poirot for an opinion. Mr Morley's sister, Georgina, and his assistant, Gladys Nevill, both assured Poirot that they did not believe Mr Morley was capable of suicide.

Answer: Mr Amberiotis

Japp told Poirot that Mr Amberiotis was "not a nice man", who had done espionage work in Germany and France, as well as "a spot or two of blackmail". Mr Amberiotis died of an overdose of adrenaline and novocaine, believed to have been administered in error by Mr Morley.

Answer: Mabelle Sainsbury Seale

Mabelle Sainsbury Seale was described as "a woman of forty odd with indecisively bleached hair rolled up in untidy curls. Her clothes were shapeless and rather artistic, and her pince-nez were always dropping off. She was a great talker". Mabelle was murdered by being hit on the head and her face battered to confuse identification.

Answer: James Japp

Chief Inspector James Japp appears in seven Hercule Poirot novels and is mentioned in several other novels and short stories. "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" is the seventh and final novel in which he appears. Previously an Inspector, he is now a Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard.

Answer: Hercule Poirot

It is interesting that when Hercule Poirot enters the story, no physical description of him is given, nor any explanatory introduction, although his egg-shaped head and significant moustache are mentioned further on in the text. Perhaps Agatha Christie felt that readers should, by 1940, be familiar with her famous character and he needed no introduction.

Answer: Frank Carter

Frank had a suspicious and belligerent nature, even when people were trying to help him. Nobody appeared to like Frank Carter, except for his fiancee, Gladys Nevill, who was quick to defend him against all criticism. Poirot's impression was that "he was an unpleasant young bully of the kind that appeals to women, so that they are reluctant to believe the worst, however plain the evidence". The murderer was prepared to let Frank Carter hang in his stead, and told Poirot that "I don't waste any pity on him. He's no good. An utter rotter."

Answer: Gladys Nevill

Gladys Nevill was lured away from work by a telegram advising that her aunt had had a stroke and asking her to come at once. Her absence was necessary for the killer to commit the murders of Mr Morley and Mr Amberiotis, as well as to falsify dental records to confuse the identification of Mabelle Sainsbury Seale.

Answer: Alistair Blunt

Alistair Blunt was described as "an unemotional man. He was so very normal...a quiet nondescript Englishman who was the head of the greatest banking firm in England. A man of vast wealth. A man who said Yes and No to Governments. A man who lived a quiet, unobtrusive life and never appeared on a public platform or made speeches. Yet a man in whose hands lay supreme power". Poirot discovers that Blunt, despite his quiet, polite demeanour, is an arrogant man who felt he was more important than other characters in the novel.

Answer: Alfred Biggs

Alfred Biggs is described as "not a very bright specimen". One of his jobs was to announce the patients but he consistently mangled their names. He announced Colonel Abercrombie as Arrow-bumby, Miss Kirby as Miss Shirty, and Poirot as Mr Peerer.

Alfred was a film fan and a lover of American detective stories. When Mr Morley was killed, Alfred was reading a story called "Death at 11:45". Poirot commented that "We should have taken that as an omen. For, of course, that is just about the time when Morley was killed".

Answer: Mr Reilly

Mr Reilly was Mr Morley's partner. Morley seemed satisfied with his partner, telling his sister that Reilly was very able, had first-class diplomas and was thoroughly up-to-date in his work. However, his sister was not so complimentary. "His hand shakes," said Miss Morley. "In my opinion he drinks". Later she told Japp, "Irishmen have hot tempers and they thoroughly enjoy a row of any kind. Mr Reilly liked arguing about politics".