Appointment with Death: tyranny and freedom in Agatha Christie

Abstract

Some elements allow distinguishing Appointment with Death from another Hercule Poirot’s novels. Among them, we must consider: the composition of the characters; the detective's strong connection with family members; the motivations for the committed crime; the relative adherence of the reader to the killer's reasons; the tense and complex atmosphere that surround the main novel’s figures; the universe in which the actions take place. Published in 1938, this work is a relevant study of characters in Agatha Christie’s fiction, especially Mrs. Boynton’s personality. She is one of the most intriguing creatures that came from the English writer’s pen.