Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Hercule Poirot becomes involved in a problem concerning petty theft and vandalism at a student hostel managed by his secretary's sister. However, apparent kleptomania leads to three murders in an effort to conceal an international smuggling operation.
2. The title of this novel alludes to the idea that a murder mystery does not begin with a murder; murder is actually the end point and the story begins long before that. Mr Treves and Lady Camilla Tressilian are both murdered, but their deaths are incidental to a prospective third murder - that of the killer's true victim.
3. There was nothing suspicious about the death of Richard Abernethie until after he was cremated, when his sister Cora intimated to the family that he had been murdered and it had "all been hushed up very nicely". Nobody took it seriously... until Cora was murdered the following day.
4. After receiving a series of threatening letters, an archaeologist's wife is murdered at a dig. Hercule Poirot realises that the key to the murder lies in the personality of the victim, Louise Leidner. However, opinions about her character are very diverse among the people involved.
5. This novel opens with the trial of Elinor Carlisle for the murder of Mary Gerrard and subsequently the murder of her aunt, Laura Welman. Unfortunately, although innocent, Elinor had means, motive and opportunity and the case against her is strong.
6. Old Mrs Boynton was a sadistic tyrant who terrorised her poor family. When she was found dead in Petra, her family became the obvious suspects, particularly the two who were overheard by Hercule Poirot discussing her potential murder.
7. During preparations for a children's party, a child boasts that, in the past, she witnessed a murder. She claims she did not realise it was a murder at the time. Nobody believes her as she is known to be an attention-seeking liar, but a few hours later she is found drowned in a bucket of water.
8. Gossington Hall is the new home of Marina Gregg, a famous film star. A charity fete is held at the Hall, during which a local resident, Heather Badcock, dies after drinking Marina Gregg's poisoned cocktail. The question is, who was the cocktail intended to kill?
9. While on vacation in Cornwall, Poirot and Hastings meet Nick Buckley, who tells them she leads a charmed life because she has just had three escapes from death in as many days. Concerned for Nick's welfare, Poirot suggest Nick invite her cousin Maggie to stay with her. However, this results in Maggie's death instead.
10. The body of a platinum blonde is found in a most unlikely place and is identified as that of a professional dancer. Meanwhile, a local schoolgirl goes missing after attending a Girl Guide rally. Miss Marple thinks the two incidents are connected.
Source: Author
MotherGoose
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LeoDaVinci before going online.
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