What Are The Key Plot Twists In The Best Agatha Christie Novel Evil Under The Sun?

For me, the key plot twists in Agatha Christie's 'Evil Under the Sun' are what make it such a gripping read. The story starts off with a seemingly straightforward murder of Arlena Stuart, a glamorous actress, on a secluded island. Everyone has a motive, and everyone seems suspicious, but the real twist comes when you realize that the murder wasn’t committed when everyone thought it was. The timeline is completely manipulated, and it’s only through Hercule Poirot’s meticulous attention to detail that the truth comes out. The way Christie plays with time and perception is masterful, and it’s one of those twists that makes you want to go back and reread the entire book to see how you missed it.

Another major twist is the revelation that Arlena’s husband, Kenneth Marshall, was actually in on the murder plot. He and his mistress, Christine Redfern, orchestrated the entire thing to make it look like Arlena was killed by someone else. The fact that Kenneth, who seemed so distraught and innocent, was actually the mastermind behind the crime is shocking. It’s a classic Christie move—take the person you least suspect and reveal them as the villain. The way she builds up the tension and then drops this bombshell is what keeps you on the edge of your seat.

But the biggest twist, for me, is the way Poirot unravels the entire case. He doesn’t just solve the murder; he exposes the intricate web of lies and deceit that everyone on the island was caught up in. The final scene, where he gathers everyone together and lays out the truth, is pure genius. It’s not just about who killed Arlena; it’s about why they did it and how they thought they could get away with it. The way Christie ties everything together in the end is what makes 'Evil Under the Sun' one of her best novels. It’s a story that keeps you guessing until the very last page, and even then, you’re left in awe of how cleverly it was all put together.