Death In The Clouds

Also known as Death in the Air

Death In The Clouds by Agatha Christie

SYNoPSIS

Hercule Poirot has been back in France and while on the flight back to England, one of his fellow passengers, a money lender - is murdered! With a host of suspects on the flight including a novelist whose on stories include a murder using similar methods...there is plenty for Poirot to investigate.

poirot

The 10th novel to feature the popular detective using his 'little grey cells'.

when to read

Another summer read, either on holiday or if you've seen the ITV adaptation with David Suchet, why not read with the tennis on in the background?

murder mystery

A closed circle mystery as only one of the other passengers could have been the murderer.

england-france

The third of the French novels - the two other books set in France are 'The Mystery of the Blue Train' and 'Murder on the Links'.

Publishing info

Published in 1935 - the same year as 'Three Act Tragedy' and 'Why didn't they ask Evans'. It was also titled 'Death in the Air'.

overall rating

4/5

On Screen

Watching Agatha Christie

Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie was filmed as part of the ITV feature length episodes and is Season 4 episode 2 starring David Suchet.

Death In The Clouds Character List

Albert DavisSteward on the Prometheus
Anne MorisotDaughter of Madam Giselle
Armand DupontArchaeologist and father of Jean Dupont, passenger on the plane where the murder was committed
BetsyLord Horbury’s dog – a spaniel
Constable RogersEnglish policeman working with Japp
Detective-sergeant WilsonInvestigating officer who finds the blowpipe
Dr BryantDoctor and flautist
Dr James WhistlerDoctor called in to examine the body of Mme Giselle
Elise GrandierMadame Giselle’s maid 
George LemanDeceased husband of Mme Giselle
GeorgesConcierge at the building where Madame Giselle lived
GladysAnother assistant at the hairdressing salon where Jane Grey works
Henry MitchellSenior steward on the Prometheus
Honourable Venetia KerrFriend of the Horbury’s and passenger on the plane where the murder was committed 
Inspector JappScotland Yard detective
Jane GreyHairdresser and passenger on the plane where the murder was committed
Jean DupontArchaeologist and son of Armand Dupont, passenger on the plane where the murder was committed
John GaleNorman Gale’s uncle
Jules PerrotWorks at the airlines company where seats are booked for the Prometheus 
Lady Cicely HorburyMarried to ……and passenger on the plane where the murder was committed 
Lord HorburyHusband of Lady Cicely and friend of Venetia Kerr
Madame GiselleFrench money lender and victim
MadelineMaid for Cicely Horbury
Maître Alexandre ThibaultMadame Giselle’s solicitor
Mère AngéliquePrinciple at the institut where Mme Giselle sent her daughter, the Institute de Marie in Quebec
Miss RossSecretary to Normal Gale at his dentist practice
Monsieur AntoineOwner of the hairdressing salon where Jane Grey works
Monsieur FournierFrench detective at the Paris Surete
Monsieur GeorgesEmployee at the hairdressing salon owned by Antoine where Jane Grey works
Monsieur GillesChief of Police for the Paris Surete
Monsieur HenriEmployee at the hairdressing salon owned by Antoine where Jane Grey works
Mr ClancyMystery writer and passenger on the plane where the murder was committed
Mr FfoulkesSolicitor for the Horburys
Mr Henry WinterspoonGovernment analyst and poisons expert
Mr Ryder 
Mrs MitchellWife of the steward Henry Mitchell
Norman GaleDentist and passenger on the plane where the murder was committed
Raymond BarracloughFriend of Lady Horbur, an atractive actor
ZeropoulosOwner of the shop on Rue St Honoré in Paris where the blowpibe is purchased

SPOILERS BELOW!

Madame Giselle and later in the novel Anne Morisot her daughter

The dentist Norman Gale is the killer

Norman marries Anne so that when her mother dies she will inherit and then when she dies, leave it to him. Whether he intended to kill her from the start or only decided to do it after meeting Jane Grey is for debate.

Madam Giselle is killed with a poisoned dart which is pushed into her neck. Her daughter Anne is later poisoned too on the boat-train to Boulogne.

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