Cat Among the Pigeons (1959) Trivia Quiz

Answer: Miss Honoria Bulstrode

Miss Bulstrode is an extremely intelligent and accomplished woman. Nicknamed "The Bull" behind her back by her students, she ran her school, Meadowbank, very effectively for many years. She is contemplating her retirement when three of her teachers are murdered.

Agatha Christie based Meadowbank on her daughter Rosalind's schools, Caledonia and Benenden.

Answer: Prince Ali Yusuf

Prince Ali Yusuf is the hereditary Sheikh of Ramat, a small, but very rich, fictional country in the Middle East. He is killed in a plane crash, along with his close friend and pilot, Bob Rawlinson, as they flee Ramat during a revolution. Prior to their flight, Ali entrusted Bob with a very valuable package to smuggle out of the country.

Answer: Ann Shapland

Ann Shapland is described as a nice-looking young woman of 35 "with hair that fitted her like a black satin cap". Miss Bulstrode found her to be a very skilled and efficient secretary, much better than her previous one.

Answer: Grace Springer

Grace Springer is the first of the three teachers to be murdered. She was shot in the new sports pavilion late at night. She was not liked by the staff or students because she was ill-mannered, bossy and extremely nosy. She liked to find out about other people's "dirty secrets".

She bragged to her fellow teachers that "More than once I've unearthed a nasty scandal-brought it into the open. I've a good nose - once I'm on the trail, I don't leave it-not till I've pinned down my quarry".

Answer: Adam Goodman

Adam Goodman is an alias for Ronnie (we never learn his last name), an operative of Special Branch, who is placed at Meadowbank as an assistant gardener. It was purely a "watching" brief, to keep his eyes and ears open, particularly in relation to Princess Shaista, Prince Ali Yusuf's cousin and intended bride.

Answer: Julia Upjohn

Julia Upjohn is the best friend of Jennifer Sutcliffe, niece of Bob Rawlinson. Julia is a very intelligent young girl who realises the significance of her tennis racquet, which had previously belonged to Jennifer. She decides to consult Hercule Poirot.

Answer: Princess Shaista

Princess Shaista is the first cousin and only near relative of Prince Ali Yusuf. By tradition, she expected to marry her cousin. Princess Shaista warns Inspector Kelsey and Miss Bulstrode that she is likely to be kidnapped and held for ransom but they are dismissive of her claims, thinking her to have an inflated sense of her own importance.

She is, however, apparently abducted shortly thereafter.

Answer: Miss Chadwick

Miss Chadwick ("Chaddy") helped Miss Bulstrode establish Meadowbank School. She assumed that she was the logical successor to take over the school when Miss Bulstrode retired. She became upset when it appeared that Miss Bulstrode was going to choose Miss Vansittart instead. Miss Bulstrode felt Miss Chadwick was too old and that what was needed was "someone to pour new life into the school".

Answer: Eileen Rich

Miss Bulstrode had some reservations about choosing Eileen Rich as her successor because she was young and inexperienced. But Miss Bulstrode eventually decided in Eileen's favour because she was a dynamic personality and a stimulating teacher who would have lots of ideas and not be afraid to take risks. Miss Bulstrode definitely did not want somebody who would simply carry on doing things the way she, Miss Bulstrode, always had.

Answer: Hercule Poirot

Julia knows of Hercule Poirot's reputation from her Aunt Maureen Summerhayes (a character from the novel "Mrs McGinty's Dead"). After hearing Julia's summation of events, Poirot realises that this case has "many threads". He eventually unravels the truth behind Princess Shaista's abduction and the murders of three school teachers, and ascertains that there are, in fact, two separate and very different killers involved.