Poirot Bk16: Murder in the Mews & other stories (4/4)

Hercule Poirot: Triangle at Rhodes

Murdered:

General Chantry asked Mr Gold to get him an alcoholic drink called 'Pink Gin'. He then gave Valentine Chantry the drink 'untouched'. Valentine was poisoned and died by the drink in the hotel.

The witnesses at scenes were General Chantry, Mrs and Mr Gold, Pamela and Poirot.

Valentine Chantry, wife of General Chantry

- attractive, rich lady, age 39.

- was famous since the age of 16.

- had 5 husbands and innumerable lovers

- seduces man

Suspects:

1) Mr Gold, young husband who came on vacation with his wife.

- was easily attracted to Valentine

- begun talking to her when she asked him for help to open a bottle of oil

- Possible Motive was to kill Chantry so that he could have Valentine, and never expected that he would let Valentine have the drink.

- (On Mrs Gold's account): Mr Gold was seduced by valentine as she began pouring him with her misery of living with Chantry.

- a bottle of poison was found in his pocket

2) Mr Chantry, husband of Valentine

- hairy and beastly looking man

- gets very possessive over Valentine

- Possible Motive: to kill Valentine before Valentine leave with Mr Gold

- unusually nice and friendly to Mr Gold before Valentine's death

3) Mrs Gold

-quite dull and short lady with certain air of diffidence and dowdiness

-was a contrast with her husband, Mr Gold who was good looking.

-(On her own account): Valentine was a kind of girl man would grow tired off easily. She felt bitter and confided in many people when she found that Mr Gold was in love with Valentine.

- She hang out well with the other ladies during the Lady outing before Valentine's death.

4) Pamela Lyall

-pretty well tanned girl and was expecting the coming of the Gold(s).

-curious about what people were thinking and feeling.

-Often had talked to Poirot about the triangle relationship of Mr Gold, Mr Chantry and Valentine.

Leads:

- Poirot never really saw Mr Gold & Valentine together

- Mrs Gold & Mrs Chantry left out of the morning excursion on the day of murder.

- Mr Gold & Mrs Chantry went to excursion.

Poirot Bk16: Murder in the Mews & other stories (3/4)

Hecule Poirot: Dead Man's Mirror

Murdered/Suicide:

Sir Gervase Chevenix-Gore shot himself through his right temple by a pistol while sitting on a chair facing the window. Bullet hit & smashed the mirror above his desk in his study room. Pistol dropped on the floor. Before death, he wrote 'Sorry' on a piece of paper.

Victim:

Sir Gervase, last of Chevenix-Gore, has vast wealth in properties

-egoistic

-abit madman sense

-incredible rich and prosper at everything he does

-can't stand improper marriage and get angry easily

-younger bro, sis died

Previous will->Ruth gets alot more portion than Hugo

2nd will, unsigned and unendorsed-> Ruth will inherit only if she marrys Hugo

Crime Scene:

All the windows were self fastened and locked.

-key in Sir Gervase's pocket

-shattered mirror

-a tiny bit of the mirror stick sticked on the bronze structure

-outside the window was a flower bed and four footprints were found at the corner

The madhouse practise: puntucality for dinner

1st gong sounded by SNELL: 15mins before dinner

2nd gong: 7mins before dinner

Every guest must assemble quickly in the drawing room after 2nd gong sounded. Sir Gervase would usually be in the drawing room by that time.

Suspects:

1) Ruth, an attractive lady

-adopted daughter of Sir Gervase, known to be illegimate daughter of his younger brother who died in war.

-was plucking flowers in the flower bed outside the study room

-(on her own account) : she wanted to get into the house fast and tried to get in through the study room but found the window locked.

-could have committed the murder and escaped through the window and lied about the motive of being on the flowerbed.

-seemed to be with Mr Burrows

-motive: could possibly kill Sir Gervase so that she does need to marry Hugo to get the inheritance

-later known to have married to Captain Lake 3 yrs ago

-seemed to hide nothing

-she was leaving the flowerbed when she heard the shot

2) Mr Hugo, nephew of Sir Gervase whom Sir Gervase did not like.

-His mother's marriage was not approved by Sir Gervase.

-wanted inheritance from Sir Gervase which he deserved

-brought Susan Cardwell, his girlfriend whom known for 1 month, to the house

-is willing to marry Ruth to get the inheritance in the 2nd will

-prepared to divorce Ruth after marriage

-Susan could be a decoy, afterall many men would like to take Ruth as their wife

-was one of the four people in the hall when the shot broke

3) Colonel Bury

-lives in the house and is close to Mrs Vander, wife of Sir Gervase.

-Sir Gervase did not think him as threat he thought highly of himself

'No women will choose not himself'

-had some company losing money issues with Sir Gervase although Sir Gervase was not badly affected as he was still very rich

-had a suspicious dangerous item, a bullet pencil

-emotion did not change when Poirot found his pencil, had the least idea that Poirot found it with
Miss Lingard who picked it up in the crime scene

4) Miss Lingard, assistant hired historical research work for Sir Gervase

-hired 2 months ago

-helped Sir Gervase with the book he was writting

-The only person who knew the coming of Poirot other than Sir Gervase

-(On her account): noticed that Sir Gervase was displeased & worried and mentioned about the dishonor of the family. He seemed to be in shock.

-relayed the message of postponing the dinner time to 15mins later.

-Suspiciously picked up a silver shiny object at the crime scene and claimed that it was Colonel Bury's bullet pencil

-one of the 4 in the hall

-only one in the drawing room when the shot was heard

5) Mr Burrows, secretary

-was alone in the library

-carry torch for Ruth

6) Mrs Gervase

Curious:

-judging from the angle, Sir Gervase must be leaning his body to the right, so that the bullet passing through his brain can fly up and hit the mirror

-everyone seemed to believe that Sir Gervase had shot himself

Leads:

-The strange paper bag for oranges in the drawing room

-Miss Cardwell was in her room near the gong, thought that she had heard the first gong and scrambled to change at 2nd gong.

-The study room's window can actually be locked from outside (with skills)

-The Flowerbed's footprints were smoothen even though Ruth went there to pick flowers. Only a few footprints of heel were left on the corner

-Death of Sir Gervase was before the arrival of Poirot, means that the murderer didn't want Sir Gervase's success in his investigation.

-Then what did Sir Gervase want Poirot to investigate?

Poirot Bk16: Murder in the Mews & other stories (2/4)

Hecule Poirot: The Incredible Theft

Mystery:

Lord Mayfield's piece of secret document was missing. It was stolen because his secretary, Carlile, had confirmed to have seen it when he placed them on the table. Carlile did not leave the room. Someone could have stolen it without Carlile's notice.

Victim:

Lord Mayfield, 1st class engineer, the owner of the aerospace engineering factory

-can also be known as the a likely candidate to be next Prime Minister

-had denied a rumor of him having friendship with Germany to be true

The rumor would have upset the electorate of Britain

-The theft of his new bomber plan may tarnish his reputation and cause him to fail in nomination

Primary Suspects who were in the house when the theft took place:

1) Mrs Vanderlyn, an attractive American Women

-Sir George, a politican friend of Lord Mayfield, high proposed that she was the thief

-coincidentally a theft occurred when she arrived

-being referred to a dangerous occupant who will harm Lord Mayfield's reputation

-was invited by Lord Mayfield to stay at his house

Upon time of Crime: claimed to have returned to her room after coming back to take her bag.

-after a game of bridge, she heard her maid, Leone, screaming as if she had seen ghost

2) Mr Carlile, Lord Mayfield's faithful secretary

-could have easily stolen the document as he had accessed to all document

-however, Mayfield vouched for his innocence

-claimed that he never left the room

If he had stolen it, he could have said that he left the room and someone else would have the chance to steal it.

If he wanted the document, he could have traced out the document

3) Reggie carrington, son of Sir George

-seemed nervy & edgy on the next day morning

-Lady Julie, his mother, went to his room last night and did not see him, so she suspected him of stealing the document

(On her account): Reggie's motive could be for money as Sir George had limited his allowance and was hard up for money.

-(On Mrs Macatta's account) : Reggie was infaturnated with Mrs Vanderlyn when Mrs Vanderlynn flattered Reggie his bridge skill, even though he made many mistakes. He could be paid by Mrs Vanderlynn to commit the theft

4) Lady Julia, wife of Sir George

-gambler who plays bridge day and night

-wants to pay her debt by bridge however she was down with luck lately

-stealing document motive : money; however she only seemed to be a gambler but not a thief.

-told Poirot next day that she will try to recover the stolen document within 12 hrs and pleased Poirot not to pursue the thief.

5) Mrs Macatta

-unlikely because she snored in sleep and the housekeeper heard her

6) Sir George, politician friend of Mayfield

-unlikely because he was with Lord Mayfield all the way

Curious:

-Lord Mayfield was shortsighted and yet he was rather positive about seeing a figure dashing through bushes, but not Sir George who had perfect eye sight. However no footprint was found in the area.

-Leone, Mrs Vandelynn's maid screamed with hands above the ears, although it was more normal to scream with hands clutching heart or covering mouth

Leads:

-Mrs Vanderlynn left her suitcase in the house and conducted a hasty search before she left.

-Mrs Vanderlynn relayed a letter which she forgotten to mail to Lord Mayfield just before she drove off

-Would other country's engineer pick up the alteration and modification of Lord Mayfield;s new bomber plan?

-Maid confessed about being kissed by a young man

Poirot Bk16: Murder in the Mews &other stories

Poirot: Murder in the Mews

Victim:

Mrs Allen:

-could have possibly shot herself at her left temple

-her watch was on her right hand suggesting that she was lefty

-pistol seemed to be held by her left hand in an awkward position for firing herself.

-time of death= 10:20pm

-discovered locked in the room when police came after her friend, Jane's call to police

Crime Scene:

-Windows, door locked

-cirgarette ashtray containing more than 9 Turkish stickbutts

-a cufflink was found in the room, which was broken from man's sleeve, belonged to Major Eustate

Suspects:

1) Major Eustate, 45 yr old man

-seen having arguement with Mrs Allen behind House door

-(on his own account) : he was doing investment with Mrs Allen and had withdrawn £200 for her.

- he was an old friend with Mrs Allen

- went to her house and had talked to her downstairs

- had no idea why his sleeve's cuff link ended in her room

- had known the deceased in India

2) Laverton West

-engaged to Mrs Allen 2-3months ago

-did not know Mrs Allen had a pistol

3) Jane Plenderleith, friend and a housemate of Allen

-arrived only at that morning and lighted up the fire in the chimney

-had perfect alibi, left the house on last friday

-suspected Major Eustate to be the murderer and suggested the Major Eustate was blackmailing Allen

Curious:

If Eustate was the murderer, would he possibly not notice his cufflink dropped on the floor when the murderer had the time to close all the windows and put the pistol in her hand?

-The pistol in Allen's hand must had been deliberately put.

Someone must have known the truth.

Leads:

-Jane went golfing, broke and discarded golf clubs

-Jane also discarded a box with an expensive dress in it

-(On Jane's testimony) : Allen was right handed

-the writing table layout, pentray on the left, suggested that Allen was left handed

-top sheet of the blotting paper missing

-Allen seemed to have posted a letter some day earlier. Allen must had written something which was not found in the dustbin. It could be destroyed.

Marple Bk10: A Caribbean Mystery

Marple: A Caribbean Mystery

Victim:

--> Major Palgrave was said to have died of high blood pressure

-However, no one knew of his condition and some even said that he didn't have it

-went around, told many stories to many people

-seemed to know of a murderer, a wife killer. His gossip and knowledge had placed him in danger.

-a photosnap of the murderer was missing from his wallet

-->Victoria, the nurse

- claimed that she had not seen any cases of high blood pressure in the island

- was stabbed

-(On Molly's account:) She pulled out the knife and couldn't remember if she had killed Victoria as she was in fit of insanity.

- There wasn't any apparent motive for Molly

-Victoria must have known something about the murderer.

--> Lucky

- was drowned in the middle of the night, instead of Molly who has disappeared for Tim Krekal's bed

- was wearing Molly's swimsuit out to the raft.

Suspects:

1) Gregory Dyson, who married the 2nd wife shortly after the death of the 1st.

-(On Mrs Dyson's account) : Gregory claimed to have humanly assisted suicide for the 1st wife

2) Molly Kendal

-had dellusion and hallucination

3) Tim Kendal

-was informed about Esther's inheritance

4) Mr Rafiel, rich old invalid man

-left a will

-Esther Walter, Mr Rafiel's assistant, to receive £50,000. In addition, she was suspected to have affair with Tim.

-Jackson, Mr Rafiel's assistant

->he suspected something wrong in Molly's cosmetic that could be the reason to dellusion

-> scooping around Mr Rafiel's stuff.

5) Dr Graham

-the only doctor around

-could give an unchecked testimony of death

Leads:

Senorade Caspearo noticed Major Palgrave's left glass eye to be cross eye.

Poirot Bk : Double Sin and other stories (8/8)

Marple: Sanctuary

victim:

A 45 year old dying man mentioned the word 'Sanctuary' while he was lying on the floor in the church. He could have also mentioned about Julian. He was shot. His possessions consisted of an old watch with initials 'W.S', a wallet and a return trip ticket. He was being identified as Sandbourne by Mr & Mrs Eccles as their brother.

Suspects:

1) Mr & Mrs Eccles

-tried to get the dead man's coat as it was sentimental to Mrs Eccles

-claimed that Sandbourne went out with a pistol and shot himself

Leads:

The dead man happened to be Walter St John

-charged with thieving of jewelery

-came back to get jewellery for his daughter, Jewel

Poirot Bk : Double Sin and other stories (7/8)

Hercule Poirot: The Last Seance

Seance-> a meeting whereby people want to come into contact with dead people and spirits.

Victim:

Simone, the practitioner of medium who grew tired performing seance

-a graceful women

-she had managed to bring back alive the dead boy of Madam Eve after performing the last seance

-was ill, shrunken to half of her size and was found dead later after a fall

-A thud of a body falling was heard

-suspected to be a homicide case

Suspects:

1) Raoul Daubreuil, a good looking young Frenchman and an engineer

-was once the husband of Madam Eve

-cried for Simone when she died

2) Elise, medium assistant

-was in due respect of Madam Eve and love

-believed that Madam Eve was a kind person who never cheat on anyone

3) Madam Eve,

- was once a wife of Raoul

- came late when the body was discovered

- spare no concern of the medium Simone who died bringing her son back to life