Death On The Nile
Synopsis
The beautiful Linnet Ridgeway has everything - money, good looks, youth and when she meets her best friend Jackie fiance Simon, well she wants him too. Shortly after, Linnet and Simon marry and while on their honeymoon in Egypt, the jilted Jackie sets out to torment them with her presence. Tensions come to a climax when Jackie takes a shot at Simon hitting him in the leg however it is soon discovered that in all the commotion of that evening...Linnet has also been shot - fatally.
when to read
Obviously I read this on my own honeymoon - call me morbid but I couldn't help myself. This is a great holiday read - especially with references to the heat and humidity not to mention the opening chaper references to where the best places are to escape the English winter.
Tim Allerton refers to going on holiday "next month" as January is the best time to go to Egypt but although the novel is set therefore in December and January, I've never seen this as a winter read. (Incidentally that reference alongside Pennington's mention of 'morning of the fourth) also makes Linnet and Simon's wedding day the 4th January in case you're interested)
murder mystery
A closed circle 'who done it' with plenty of suspects with a variety of motives.
poirot
This is the 14th Poirot Novel written by AC. It comes after Cards on the Table and before Dumb Witness
egypt
Although starting in England, the setting soon moves to Egypt where our characters (and suspects) are assembled.
Publishing info
Published in 1937
overall rating
This is my personal favourite Agatha Christie novel – I’ve listened to the audio book of this (both BBC dramatised and unabridged) so many times that I think I can quote them both most of the way through…”Eeeegypt, a capitol idea Monsieur Poirot….”
On Screen
Watching Agatha Christie
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie was filmed as part of the ITV feature length episodes and is Season 9 episode 3 starring David Suchet.
Death on the Nile - Films
Check out our article on the Poirot films starring Kenneth Branagh and Peter Ustinov here.
Upcoming 2020 Death on the Nile Film
Read our review of the trailer and expectations of the new film due out in October 2020
Death On The Nile Character List
| Andrew Pennington | Linnet’s American Trustee and friend of her father’s |
| Colonel Race | Ex-military man who also spent time with MI5 |
| Cornelia Robson | Poor relation of Miss Van Schuyler |
| Dr Ludwig Bessner | German doctor |
| Fleetwood | Egyption native interested in Linnet’s maid |
| Guido Richetti | Italian Archaeologist |
| Honourable Joanna Southward | Linnets friend and cousin of Tim Allerton |
| Jacqueline de Bellefort | Initially engaged to Simon Doyle and friend of Linnet |
| Jim Fanthorpe | Young English solicitor |
| Linnet Doyle (nee Ridgeway) | Young heiress, daughter of Melouish Ridgeway. Former friend of Jackie, marries Simon Doyle. Victim |
| Louise Bourget | Linnet’s French maid |
| Marie Van Schuyler | Wealthy and exclusive American socialite. Cousin of Cornelia |
| Miss Bowers | Miss Van Schuyler’s maid |
| Mr Ferguson | Communist traveller writing about ‘conditions’ |
| Mrs Allerton | English lady and mother of Tim |
| Rosalie Otterbourne | Salome’s daughter |
| Salome Otterbourne | Novelist and mother of Rosalie |
| Simon Doyle | Former fiancé of Jackie who marries Linnet |
| Tim Allerton | Son of Mrs Atherton and cousin of Joanna Southward |
SPOILERS BELOW!
- Linnet Doyle (nee Ridgeway)
- Louise Bourget
- Salome Otterbourne
Simon Doyle & Jacqueline de Bellefort
Simon wanted Linnet’s money but not Linnet – “If I’d any luck, I’d marry her and she’d die in about a year and leave me the lot”
Jackie’s motive was her love for Simon, “I had to come into it…to look after him”
Louise is murdered as she tries to blackmail them having seen Simon enter/ leave Linnets cabin
Mrs Otterbourne was also a witness as she saw Jackie going into Louise’s room before lunch
Linnet was shot in the head by Simon
Jackie stabbed Louise
Mrs Otterbourne was also shot, this time by Jackie
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