Three Act Tragedy
Also known as Murder in Three Acts
SYNOPSIS
At a simple drinks party the unthinkable happens - the Reverend Babbington drops down dead after drinking his cocktail. Although initially not deemed suspicious even by Poirot who was himself a guest, when the same thing happens at another house party with the same group of people...Poirot sets out to investigate
poirot
The 9th novel to feature Poirot although this time he isn't accompanied by our beloved Hastings.
when to read
An English summer time read - enjoy in a shady spot in the garden with an iced tea or maybe even a cocktail...?
Although this novel doesn't refer to any of the previous ones, latter novels do refer to this one so after you have finished this...consider reading 'Hercule Poirot's Christmas' and 'The A.B.C. Murders' to see if you can spot them.
murder mystery
Closed circle murder mystery
cornwall
Back in Cornwall for the English summer.
Publishing info
Three Act Tragedy was published in 1935 the same year as 'Why didn't they ask Evans' and 'Death in the Clouds' - a busy year for AC!
overall rating
4/5
On Screen
Watching Agatha Christie
Three Act Tragedy by Agatha Christie was filmed as part of the ITV feature length episodes and is Season 12 episode 1 starring David Suchet as Poirot.
Three Act Tragedy Character List
| Alice West | Parlour maid for Bartholomew |
| Angela Sutcliffe | Famous actress at Sir Charles’ party |
| Baker | Bartholomew Strange’s usual butler |
| Beatrice Church | Upper housemaid for Batholomew Strange |
| Captain Dacres | Old sea captain, gambler and guest at Sir Charles’ party, married to Cynthia |
| Colonel Johnson | The Chief Constable of Yorkshire. |
| Cynthia Dacres | Dressmaker and wife of captain Dacres |
| Doris Coker | Under housemaid for Bartholomew |
| Doris Sims | Employee at Cynthia Dakers’ dress shop whom Egg interviews |
| Dr Bartholomew Strange | Nerve specialist and friend of Sir Charles. Second victim |
| Dr MacDougal | Doctor called to attend to Rev Babbington |
| Edward Babbington | Second son of Rev and Mrs Babbington |
| Ellis | Butler at Bartholomew Strange’s dinner |
| Gladys Lyndon | Private secretary to Bartholomew Strange |
| Hermione Lytton Gore ‘Egg’ | Also known as Egg and love interest of Sir Charles |
| Lady Campbell | Guest at Bartholomew Strages’ party, attending with her husband |
| Lady Eden | Guest at Bartholomew Strages’ party, attending with her husband |
| Lady Mary Lyttin-Gore | Egg’s mother and guest at Sir Charles’ party |
| Lloyd Babbington | Third son of Rev and Mrs Babbington |
| Lord Eden | Guest at Bartholomew Strages’ party, attending with his wife |
| Marcelle | Employee at Cynthia Dakers’ dress shop |
| Margaret Babbington | Reverend Babbington’s wife |
| Martha Leckie | Cook for Bartholomew Strange |
| Mr Satterthwaite | Assists Poirot with his investigation |
| Mrs De Rushbridger | Patient at Dr Strange’s sanatorium and third victim |
| Mrs Margaret de Rushbridger | A patient at the sanatorium Dr Bartholomew Strange runs |
| Muriel Wills/ Anthony Aster | Playwright and guest at the party |
| Oliver Manders | Young friend of Egg who rides a motorbike |
| Reverend Babbington | Vicar in Cornwall and victim |
| Robin Babbington | Deceased son of the Babbingtons |
| Sir Charles Cartwright | Famous stage actor and friend of Poirot |
| Sir Jocelyn Campbell | Guest at Bartholomew Strages’ party, attending with his wife |
| Stephen Babbington (Junior) | Fourth son of Rev and Mrs Babbington |
| Superintendent Crossfield | Investigating officer |
| Temple | Parlourmaid for Charles Cartwright |
| Victoria Ball | Between housemaid for Bartholomew |
| Violet Bassington | Kitchen maid for Bartholomew |
| Violet Milray | Spinster servant of Sir Charles |
SPOILERS BELOW!
Reverend Babbington is the first victim followed by Dr Bartholomew Strange
Sir Charles Cartwright
Sir Charles is in love with ‘Egg’ and wishes to marry her but is secretly already married to a lady in Bartholomew’s sanatorium. He opts for murder over bigamy. The murder of the Rev. Babbington was simply a dress rehearsal.
Both victims are poisoned with nicotine
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