Agatha Christie's Who's Who 2 Online Quiz | Christie, Agatha

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. I was a wealthy, but unpopular, English peer who was murdered in my study. I should never have married that American actress!

Answer: Lord Edgware

"Lord Edgware Dies" was published in 1933. The American publishers changed the title to "Thirteen at Dinner". An American actress, Jane Wilkinson, wanted a divorce from her English husband, Lord Edgware, and asked Poirot to speak to Lord Edgware on her behalf. Shortly thereafter her husband was murdered.

The plot revolved around the murderer having the ability to be in two places at once. Isn't that impossible?!

2. I am one half of a husband-and-wife detective team. Initially, we were two young adventurers for hire in Agatha Christie's second novel.

Answer: Prudence (Tuppence) Cowley

Prudence (Tuppence) Cowley and Thomas (Tommy) Beresford first appeared in Agatha Christie's second novel, "The Secret Adversary". They married at the end of that novel. Tommy and Tuppence subsequently appeared in "Partners in Crime" (a collection of short stories), and the novels "N or M?", "By the Pricking of My Thumbs" and "Postern of Fate".

3. I am the title character in the novel "Dumb Witness" - dumb because I cannot speak, not because I am stupid. I am a very intelligent wire-haired terrier.

Answer: Bob

"Dumb Witness" is also known as "Poirot Loses a Client", "Murder at Littlegreen House" and "Mystery at Littlegreen House". The dog, Bob, belonged to Miss Emily Arundell, who tripped over a ball which Bob allegedly left on the stairs. Miss Arundell, however, does not believe it was an accident. Agatha Christie modeled Bob on her own dog, Peter.

The novel's dedication reads "To dear Peter, most faithful of friends and dearest of companions. A dog in a thousand".

4. I am Hercule Poirot's valet - the perfect gentleman's gentleman. My master finds my knowledge of the English aristocracy very useful.

Answer: George(s)

We are introduced to George (whom Poirot calls Georges) in "The Mystery of the Blue Train". George(s) appeared in a number of novels and short stories but always as a minor character and we do not learn a great deal about him. In "The Mystery of the Blue Train", we discover that, prior to working for Hercule Poirot, he was in the service of Lord Edward Frampton. Poirot found George's knowledge of the English aristocracy very useful.

"You have a wide experience, Georges", murmured Poirot. "I often wonder having lived so exclusively with titled families that you demean yourself by coming as a valet to me. I put it down to love of excitement on your part".

"Not exactly, sir", said George. "I happened to see in 'Society Snippets' that you have been received at Buckingham Palace. That was just when I was looking for a new situation. His Majesty, so it said, had been most gracious and friendly and thought very highly of your abilities".

5. I am a detective with a difference. I advertise in the newspapers by asking "Are you happy? If not, consult (me)".

Answer: Parker Pyne

We are first introduced to Mr Parker Pyne in the collection of short stories, "Parker Pyne Investigates". For 35 years, Mr Parker Pyne was engaged in the compiling of statistics in a government office before retiring and opening his own detective agency, dealing exclusively with affairs of the heart.

He advertised in the "Personal" column of the newspaper : "Are you happy? If not, consult Mr Parker Pyne, 17 Richmond Street".

6. I was murdered on the Orient Express, a victim of multiple stab wounds. Everyone on the train had a reason to want me dead.

Answer: Samuel Ratchett

In "Murder on the Orient Express", Samuel Ratchett was an assumed name for the victim, Lanfranco Cassetti. He was arrested for the kidnapping and murder of a child, Daisy Armstrong, but was acquitted on a technicality. Poirot discovered that everyone on the train was a member of, or had a connection to, the Armstrong family.

This story was inspired by the real life kidnapping and murder of baby Charles Lindbergh Jr in 1932.

7. I am a former Scotland Yard Commissioner and a member of the Tuesday Night Club. Unlike most of my colleagues, I have a high regard for Miss Marple's investigative abilities.

Answer: Sir Henry Clithering

Most police investigators regarded Miss Marple as a nuisance or a busybody. Sir Henry Clithering, however, held her in high regard and trusted her judgement. He was aware that elderly ladies (or the "old pussies" as he called them) could be a valuable asset in solving a case. "They hear everything. They see everything. And, unlike the famous adage, they speak all evil".

8. Sherlock Holmes had Dr Watson; Poirot had me - except for the years that I lived in Argentina.

Answer: Captain Arthur Hastings

Hastings and Poirot knew each other before the war and renewed their acquaintance in Agatha Christie's first novel, "The Mysterious Affair at Styles". Hastings assisted Poirot in eight novels and 21 short stories. Hastings was also present for the final Poirot novel, "Curtain".

9. I saw a woman being strangled on the 4.50 train from Paddington. Only my friend, Miss Marple, believed me.

Answer: Mrs Elspeth McGillicuddy

Mrs Elspeth McGillicuddy is a character from the 1957 novel, "4.50 From Paddington" (the original British title). It was released as "What Mrs Gillicuddy Saw" in America. In 1961, the novel was the basis of the first Miss Marple movie, "Murder She Said", starring Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple. Interestingly, Joan Hickson, who later played Miss Marple in a number of made-for-television movies, also appeared in this movie as Mrs Kidson.

10. Agatha Christie referred to me as "insufferable" but acknowledged that I and my "little grey cells" were her chief source of income.

Answer: Hercule Poirot

Agatha Christie grew tired of Poirot, but found that she was stuck with him as he was so popular with her readers. In the "Daily Mail" (1938), Agatha Christie wrote "There are moments when I have felt: Why-why-why did I ever invent this detestable, bombastic, tiresome little creature?" And in a letter to her literary agent, Edmund Cork, she wrote "Poirot is rather insufferable. Most public men are who have lived too long.

But none of them like retiring! So I am afraid Poirot won't either - certainly not while he is my chief source of income".

Source: Author MotherGoose

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Agatha Christie's Who's Who 2 Trivia Quiz

More chances to match the Christie character to their description. No spoilers.

Questions		Choices
1. I was a wealthy, but unpopular, English peer who was murdered in my study. I should never have married that American actress!		Samuel Ratchett
2. I am one half of a husband-and-wife detective team. Initially, we were two young adventurers for hire in Agatha Christie's second novel.		Mrs Elspeth McGillicuddy
3. I am the title character in the novel "Dumb Witness" - dumb because I cannot speak, not because I am stupid. I am a very intelligent wire-haired terrier.		Sir Henry Clithering
4. I am Hercule Poirot's valet - the perfect gentleman's gentleman. My master finds my knowledge of the English aristocracy very useful.		Bob
5. I am a detective with a difference. I advertise in the newspapers by asking "Are you happy? If not, consult (me)".		Parker Pyne
6. I was murdered on the Orient Express, a victim of multiple stab wounds. Everyone on the train had a reason to want me dead.		George(s)
7. I am a former Scotland Yard Commissioner and a member of the Tuesday Night Club. Unlike most of my colleagues, I have a high regard for Miss Marple's investigative abilities.		Lord Edgware
8. Sherlock Holmes had Dr Watson; Poirot had me - except for the years that I lived in Argentina.		Captain Arthur Hastings
9. I saw a woman being strangled on the 4.50 train from Paddington. Only my friend, Miss Marple, believed me.		Hercule Poirot
10. Agatha Christie referred to me as "insufferable" but acknowledged that I and my "little grey cells" were her chief source of income.		Prudence (Tuppence) Cowley