Chapter XIV

1. THE ORDER OF THE DEATHS. Examine the order of who died. There is a definite pattern.

Part of Agatha Christie’s genius is how the order of the deaths seems to be based upon the severity of the crimes they committed. The victims who were deemed by the killer to be “less severe” were murdered first, and the victims who were deemed “more severe” were killed most recently.

Predict the future death order based upon the severity of the crimes of those four who are remaining alive, explaining in detail your reasoning. In other words, if the pattern holds, who should die next? Who should die last? Provide a justification for your order based upon how the crimes are growing increasingly severe.

2. BLORE STARTS TO FEEL GUILT. In the beginning Blore barely remembered his alleged murder victim, Landor. Now he can recall every feature of his face and thinks about the man’s wife and daughter. What brought about this change? Would this change have happened if he hadn’t been in the situation he now finds himself?

3.  VERA FACES THE TRUTH.  Vera finally admits to killing Cyril out of love for Hugo.  What was she hoping to accomplish?  Why did it not turn out the way that she thought it would?  What was the error in her plan?

4.  THE RETURNING REVOLVER.  Lombard finds his revolver has been returned.  How could it have gotten there?  How does this new information change the story?  Who put it back and why?