Hallowe'en Party
SYNOPSIS
It's Hallowe'en and the children of Woodleigh Common are assembled for a party at 'Apple Trees' house. Everything is going well with plenty of fun and games. Ariadne Oliver is there to help out and in a bid to show off in front of her, one of the children - known for her lies - amounces that she saw a murder once. No one believes her of course and the party continues until, the body of the same child is discovered, drowned in the apple bobbling bucket.
poirot
Poirot is called in to help by his friend the novelist Ariadne Oliver. This is one of the last times we meet Poirot as he only features in two further novels.
when to read
This is obviously an Autumn book and one to read at Hallowe'en. Enjoying reading it with a hot-toddy to hand or a hot apple cider - yum.
murder mystery
Classic Murder Mystery - plenty of suspects and more than one victim....
egypt
Publishing info
Published in 1969 after 'By The Pricking of my Thumbs' which was released in 1968. The next novel written by Agatha Christie is 'Passenger to Frankfurt' in 1970.
overall rating
4/5
On Screen
Watching Agatha Christie
Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie was filmed as part of the ITV feature length episodes and is Season 12 episode 2 starring David Suchet.
Hallowe'en Party Character List
| Alfred Richmond | Chief Constable |
| Ann Reynolds | Younger sister of Joyce the victim |
| Ariadne Oliver | Mystery writer and passenger on the plane where the murder was committed |
| Cathie Johnson | Helper at the party |
| Charlotte Benfield | Shop assistant who was murdered |
| Desmond Holland | Helper at the party |
| Dr Ferguson | The family doctor for the Reynolds |
| Elisabeth Whittaker | Maths teacher at the local school |
| Elspeth McKay | Inspector Spence’s sister |
| George | Poirot’s valet |
| Harriet Leaman | Used to clean for Mrs Llewellyn-Smith |
| Janet White | Teacher who was murdered |
| Jeremy Fullerton | Local solicitor |
| Joyce Reynolds | Boastful child and victim |
| Judith Butler | Ariadne’s friend whom she stay with and mother of Miranda |
| Leopold Reynolds | Brother of Joyce the victim |
| Leslie Ferrier | Forger who was murdered |
| Michael Garfield | Garber and landscaper |
| Miranda Butler | Daughter to Judith and friend of Joyce Reynolds |
| Miss Emlyn | Headmistress of the local school |
| Miss Lee | Dr Ferguson’s dispenser |
| Mrs Goodbody | Village witch and helper at the party |
| Mrs Hardgreaves | Helper at the party |
| Mrs Llewellyn-Smith | Wealthy widow who died. She employed Michael Garfield to design her garden |
| Mrs Reynolds | Joyce the victim’s mother |
| Nicholas Ranson | Helper at the party |
| Olga Seminoff | Au Pair who was murdered and suspected of substituting a will |
| Rowena Drake | Formidable lady of Woodleigh Common and hostess of the Hallowe’en party |
| Superintendent Spence | Retired inspector |
| Timothy Raglan | Investigating officer |
SPOILERS BELOW!
Olga Seminoff, Leslie Ferrier and Joyce Reynolds
Garfield also attempts to kill Miranda (his own daughter) but fails.
There is also a suggestion that Rowena Drake’s husband could have been killed on purpose.
Michael Garfield and Rowena Drake
Michael Garfield wants money to create a perfect garden on a Greek Island. He uses Rowena Drake to get it. Rowena is infatuated with Michael.
Olga is killed so she can’t inherit the money from Mrs Llewellyn-Smith when the old lady decides to cut Rowena out of her will.
Leslie Ferrier is killed so he can not reveal that he forged the codicil.
Joyce is killed as she claimed to have seen the murder
Leopald is killed as he tried to blackmail Rowena.
Olga and Leslie are both stabbed
Joyce and Leopold and both drowned
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