Holidaying in Jerusalem, Poirot overhears Raymond Boynton telling his sister, "You do see, don't you, that she's got to be killed?" Their stepmother, Mrs Boynton, is a sadistic See more

The novel opens as the family and the victim are introduced through the perspective of Sarah King and Dr Gerard, who discuss the behaviour of the family. Mrs Boynton is sadistic and … See more

• Hercule Poirot, renowned Belgian detective
• Colonel Carbury, senior figure in Emirate of Transjordan
• Mrs Boynton, the victim
• Ginevra Boynton, the victim's daughter See more

Simon Nowell-Smith's review in the Times Literary Supplement of 7 May 1938 concluded that "Poirot, if the mellowing influence of time … See more

The novel mentions several other Poirot investigations: the detective is seen to retell to Colonel Carbury the story of Cards on the Table, … See more

• 1938, Collins Crime Club (London), 2 May 1938, Hardback, 256 pp
• 1938, Dodd Mead and Company (New York), 1938, Hardback, 301 pp
• 1946, Dell Books, Paperback, (Dell number 105 [mapback]), 192 pp See more

Stage
Christie adapted the book as a play of the same name in 1945. It is notable for being one of the most radical reworkings of a novel Christie ever … See more