Agatha Christie, the best-selling novelist of all time, has a fascinating story behind her success. In 1916, she was not even considered the most promising writer in her family. Her older sister, Madge, had already penned several short stories, while Agatha had yet to publish anything. When Agatha expressed her ambition to write a mystery novel, Madge was skeptical. She challenged Agatha, betting that she couldn’t create a compelling mystery that Madge herself couldn’t solve. Today, the novel born from that bet stands among nearly 100 other mysteries penned by Christie, each one a masterfully constructed puzzle of clues, misdirection, and human drama. So, let’s delve into how she crafted these perfect crimes.
One of the most crucial elements in Christie’s stories is the setting. From a remote island to a snow-stalled train car, she favored locations isolated from society. By limiting the scope of her stories, Christie narrowed down possible suspects and built tension by forcing characters to remain in one place, even with a killer among them. Sometimes, she further amplified the drama by making the characters strangers, creating an atmosphere of mistrust.
While her settings were eerie and extraordinary, Christie’s characters were quite the opposite. One of the biggest criticisms of Christie’s novels is that they’re full of two-dimensional characters. However, Christie intentionally avoided complex characters. By reducing people to a handful of simple traits, she provided readers with predictable suspects. However, she also used the audience’s expectations against them, often leading to surprising plot twists.
Despite the simplicity of her characters, Christie worked to make them feel authentic. She closely observed the people around her and constantly noted details from overheard conversations. She would then rearrange these details to piece her mysteries together, often switching who the murderer was as she worked. This approach kept information murky and disoriented even the sharpest readers. However, she also understood the importance of balance between being clever and being confusing. To maintain this balance, she kept her language simple and accessible, using short sentences and clear, snappy dialogue to help readers follow the information.
With Christie, a good clue is one the reader will remember, but usually fail to completely understand. For example, when a character cries “Everything tastes foul today,” just minutes before he dies, the reader races to determine who poisoned his beverage. But they’re likely failing to truly consider this clue. If everything tasted foul that day, then he’d been poisoned long before that drink. Christie also used clues to intentionally mislead her audience. For example, readers might recognize a clue associated with one suspect, only to learn that it was being used to frame them.
Outside crime and clues, there’s one more ingredient in Christie’s formula: the detective. Christie created many sleuths, but her most enduring are Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. Neither this petit Belgian refugee nor this elderly amateur detective are traditional heroes. But their outsider status is exactly what helps them slip past security and make suspects let their guard down.
As you might have guessed, Agatha won her sister’s bet. Her eccentric detectives, clever clues, and simplified suspects form a blueprint that has stumped countless readers. And now that you’ve uncovered her strategies, the only mystery left is what stories you can tell with these secrets.
Imagine you are writing a mystery novel. Choose a unique, isolated setting for your story, similar to Agatha Christie’s remote islands or snow-stalled trains. Describe this setting in detail, explaining how it will help limit suspects and build tension. Share your setting with the class and discuss how it could influence the plot of your mystery.
Create a list of simple character traits (e.g., shy, brave, suspicious, friendly). Randomly assign these traits to different characters in your story. Write a short scene where these characters interact. Pay attention to how their traits influence their actions and dialogue. Share your scene with a partner and discuss how these traits could lead to surprising plot twists.
Think of a simple clue that could be used in a mystery story. Write a short paragraph where this clue is introduced in a subtle way, just like Agatha Christie would. Make sure the clue is memorable but not immediately obvious. Exchange your paragraph with a classmate and see if they can identify the clue and its significance.
Create your own unconventional detective character. Think about what makes them unique and how their outsider status could help them solve crimes. Write a character profile that includes their background, personality traits, and any special skills they have. Present your detective to the class and explain how they would approach solving a mystery.
Write a short mystery story that includes at least one instance of misdirection. Introduce a clue that seems to point to one suspect but actually leads to another. Share your story with a small group and see if they can figure out the true culprit. Discuss how you used misdirection to keep the mystery engaging and challenging.
Agatha Christie – A British novelist known for her detective novels and plays, particularly those featuring her iconic characters Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. – Agatha Christie’s novels have sold more than two billion copies worldwide.
Novelist – An author of novels, a long fictional prose narrative. – As a successful novelist, she published over 60 detective novels.
Clues – Indications or evidence that helps in the solving of a mystery or crime. – The detective carefully examined the crime scene for any possible clues.
Setting – The place or surroundings where a story takes place. – Agatha Christie often sets her mysteries in intriguing and atmospheric locations, such as an isolated mansion or a luxury train.
Suspects – Individuals who are believed to have committed a crime or are under investigation. – In Agatha Christie’s novels, there is always a wide range of suspects with motives and secrets.
Tension – A feeling of excitement, uncertainty, or anxiety that exists in a story, especially in relation to the conflict or mystery. – Agatha Christie’s novels are known for their ability to create a sense of tension and suspense.
Characterization – The process of creating and developing characters in a story. – Agatha Christie’s characterization is skillful, with each character having unique traits and motives.
Plot Twists – Unexpected changes or developments in the storyline that surprise the reader. – Agatha Christie’s novels are renowned for their clever plot twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Authenticity – The quality of being genuine, real, or true to life. – Agatha Christie’s attention to detail and authenticity in her mysteries make them believable and engrossing.
Storytelling – The act of narrating or telling a story. – Agatha Christie’s storytelling skills captivate readers and keep them engaged from beginning to end.
