Agatha Christie's 'Murder is Easy?': A look at the crime writer's intriguing premise

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Agatha Christie's passing, the celebrated "queen of crime." In homage, a look is taken at one of her less frequently discussed novels, "Murder is Easy," originally published in 1939. The French title, "Un meurtre est-il facile?" (Is Murder Easy?), adds an intriguing dimension, posing a question that resonates with the novel's core mystery.

The central premise revolves around the unsettling possibility of committing multiple murders, five, then six, then seven, without attracting any suspicion. This captivating and fresh story follows Luke, a man who has retired after a career abroad. His journey takes an unexpected turn when he meets an elderly woman on a train.

Initially dreading a tedious conversation, Luke finds himself engaged by the woman's surprisingly significant revelations. She intends to report a series of murders occurring in her village to Scotland Yard, expressing particular concern for the local doctor. The narrative hints at the deceptive nature of seemingly harmless individuals, suggesting that "most garrulous old maids are as cunning as monkeys."