Murder on the Orient Express

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The novel explores whether justice outside the legal system can be morally justified when official channels fail. Have you experienced or witnessed a situation where you felt institutional justice was inadequate? How did that experience influence your view of Poirot’s final decision?

2. Throughout the novel, characters from different nationalities express prejudice toward one another, yet they must cooperate closely. When have you observed or experienced similar dynamics of prejudice and collaboration in your own life?

3. When Poirot interrogates the passengers, he focuses on subtle inconsistencies in their stories. What techniques do you use to determine whether someone might be lying?

4. Mrs. Hubbard (Linda Arden) maintains an elaborate performance throughout the novel, hiding her true identity behind a carefully crafted persona. Have you ever felt the need to mask aspects of your identity or motivations? What challenges did this present for you?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The novel was published in 1934, between the two World Wars, when national tensions and suspicions ran high. How does Christie’s portrayal of international relations on the train reflect this historical context? What parallels do you see to international relations today?

2. Cassetti escaped legal consequences for his crimes through wealth and connections. How does this aspect of the story resonate with contemporary discussions about privilege, power, and access to justice?

3. Christie presents vigilante justice sympathetically. How have societal attitudes toward vigilantism and the limitations of legal systems evolved since Christie’s time? Do you think a contemporary author would resolve the story similarly?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. When Poirot says, “I suspect everybody till the last minute” (58), it foreshadows the actual solution. What other instances of foreshadowing did you notice throughout the novel, and how did they contribute to your reading experience?

2. The scarlet kimono functions as both a literal and symbolic red herring. How does Christie use this and other false clues to build suspense and misdirect both Poirot and the reader?

3. How does the locked-room setting of the train stranded in snow serve the novel’s themes and plot development? In what ways does this confined setting enhance the psychological tension between characters?

4. The novel explores the contrast between justice and retribution. How does Christie develop this theme through different characters’ perspectives, and what statement does Poirot’s ultimate decision make about this contrast?

5. Poirot emphasizes that “one must respect the psychology” when solving crimes (136). How does Christie illustrate this approach to detection throughout the novel, and how does it differ from a more conventional, evidence-based investigation?

6. The novel reveals its solution in two stages: first identifying Cassetti as the kidnapper, then unmasking the conspiracy of 12. How does this dual-revelation structure contribute to the novel’s impact and thematic depth?