Dumb Witness
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| Author | Agatha Christie |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Harper Collins |
| Released | 1937 |
Dumb Witness (published in 1937) is an Agatha Christie mystery novel featuring the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. It is the last Poirot novel (other than Curtain: Poirot's Last Case) to be published that features Hastings as narrator.
The story, set in Berkshire, centres on Emily Arundel, a woman of a considerable fortune who is surrounded by grasping young relatives. When she in injured by falling down a staircase, everyone believes she tripped over a ball left by her pet fox terrier, Bob. When Emily later dies of natural causes (or so it is believed) her estate is unexpectedly left to her companion, Miss Lawson. A letter written before her death to Hercule Poirot is too late to save her life, but it puts Poirot on the trail of a murderer.
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[edit] Plot summary
Emily Arundel writes to Hercule Poirot because she believes she has been the victim of attempted murder. However, before Poirot can consult her for the details, she dies. Poirot decides to investigate and he discovers evidence of a tripwire, which convinces him of attempted murder. This leads to doubts about the real cause of Emily Arundel’s subsequent death.
Emily's friend Miss Lawson is the unexpected beneficiary of a substantial fortune, according to a very recent change of will. Under the previous will, Emily's nephew Charles Arundel and nieces Theresa Arundel and Bella Tanios would have inherited. This gives them all motive for murder, because it is unclear who knew of the changed will. Theresa Arundel is a strong suspect because Miss Lawson can recall seeing someone through her bedroom mirror at the top of the stairs on the night of Emily's accident. The person was wearing a brooch with the initials, "TA".
Poirot discovers that Emily Arundel died of phosphorous poisoning, which had been administered in her liver pills. The nature of the murder suggests a doctor. Dr. Donaldson, Theresa's fiancé, has a good motive for the crime, as does Bella Tanios's husband, also a doctor. Dr Tanios seems the most likely murderer after Bella reveals her husband's violent temper and then flees with her children.
However, Poirot confronts Bella with the truth that she is the murderer, not her husband. He explains that when Miss Lawson saw the initials "TA" in the mirror, she was seeing the initials "AT" backwards - and Bella's full name is Arabella Tanios. Bella realises she is caught and poisons herself.
Respecting the original will, Miss Lawson voluntarily shares the estate with Emily's other relations, including Bella's children. The dog Bob becomes Hastings' new pet.
[edit] Characters
- Hercule Poirot, the Belgian detective
- Theresa Arundel, the victim's niece
- Dr. Rex Donaldson, Theresa's fiancé
- Charles Arundel, the victim's nephew
- Bella Tanios, the victim's niece
- Dr. Jacob Tanios, Bella's husband
- Wilhelmina Lawson, the victim's companion and heiress
[edit] Trivia
In chapter 18 of the novel, Poirot gives a list of murderers that includes those from The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and Death in the Clouds.
[edit] Film adaptation
An adaptation of the novel appeared in 1997 as part of the television series Agatha Christie's Poirot starring David Suchet at Poirot. The film was set in England's Lake District and makes some changes to the original story. The cast includes:
- Hugh Fraser as Hastings
- Philip Jackson as Chief Inspector Japp
- Pauline Moran as Miss Felicity Lemon
- Ann Morrish as Emily Arundel
- Patrick Ryecart as Charles Arundel
- Kate Buffery as Theresa Arundel
- Paul Herzberg as Jacob Tanios
- Julia St. John as Bella Tanios
- Norma West as Wilhelmina Lawson
- Jonathan Newth as Dr. Greinger
