Death on the Nile

Death on the Nile is a 1937 mystery novel by Agatha Christie.

Hercule Poirot is on holiday in Egypt, on a Nile River cruise. Among the other passengers is Linnet Ridgeway, a rich, beautiful heiress, honeymooning with her husband Simon Doyle. Doyle was engaged to Linnet’s best friend, Jacqueline de Bellefort, before he met Linnet, and broke it off. Heartbroken and wanting revenge on her former friend for stealing her fiancé, Jacqueline started following them everywhere they go. When Linnet gets killed, Jacqueline is the obvious suspect. But is that really the case?

The story was adapted into a 1978 film of the same name. The story featured in the television series Poirot in 2004.


 * Adaptation Distillation: The 1978 film version simplified the plot and removed several superfluous characters.
 * The Alcoholic: Mrs. Otterbourne.
 * Alcoholic Parent: Mrs. Otterbourne.
 * All-Star Cast: In addition to Peter Ustinov as Poirot, the 1978 film version featured Mia Farrow, Bette Davis, Maggie Smith, Angela Lansbury, David Niven, and George Kennedy. Bond girl Lois Chiles is actually one of the lesser names in the cast.
 * Asshole Victim: Linnet isn't one of the worst Christie examples, but stealing her best friend's fiancé makes her easy to dislike.
 * Blackmail:
 * Busman's Holiday: Once again, Poirot must solve a murder while on vacation.
 * Clingy Jealous Girl: Jacqueline to Simon.
 * Composite Character: Rosalie Otterbourne in the 1978 film is a composite of three separate characters from the book: Rosalie, Cornelia Robson, and Tim Allerton. However, Ms Bowers is given Cornelia's backstory regarding her history with the Ridgeways.
 * The 2004 version combines the roles of Cornelia Robson and Miss Bowers.
 * Both versions remove the character of Fanthorp, having Mr. Ferguson take over the role he played the night of the murder. The 1978 film also makes Ferguson into Rosalie's love interest since Tim Allerton does not appear.
 * Linnet's maids, Marie and Louise, are combined into the same character in both film versions.
 * Couldn't Find a Pen: The murder victim uses her own blood to trace a letter on the wall, presumably the first of her assassin's name.
 * Dead Man Writing:
 * Dying Clue: The J written in blood on the wall would seem to be Linnet's way of naming Jackie as the killer.
 * He Knows Too Much: The reason that were killed.
 * Herr Doktor: Dr. Bessner
 * His Name Is--:
 * Lady Drunk: Mrs. Otterbourne.
 * No Guy Wants to Be Chased: Simon Doyle claims this as the reason that he broke off his relationship with his fiancee Jacqueline and married Jackie's best friend Linnet. He said he was put off by the fact that Jackie loved him more than he loved her, and that "a man wants to own his woman. He doesn't want to feel that she owns him."
 * One-Tract Mind: Mr. Ferguson, who regards any activity not tending towards the Communist utopia as fiddling While Rome Burns.
 * Rich Bitch: Miss Van Schuyler
 * Rich Suitor, Poor Suitor: Linnet and Jacqueline.
 * Also Ferguson and Dr. Bessner for Cornelia Robinson.
 * Rustproof Blood:
 * Scenery Porn: Oh dear God, yes. Legendary cinematographer Jack Cardiff and Egypt are a match made in heaven.
 * Stalker with a Crush: Jacqueline on Simon.
 * Stealing From the Till:
 * Sticky Fingers:
 * Triang Relations: Type 4. A = Jacqueline, B = Simon, C = Linnet
 * Woman Scorned: Jacqueline
 * Stalker with a Crush: Jacqueline on Simon.
 * Stealing From the Till:
 * Sticky Fingers:
 * Triang Relations: Type 4. A = Jacqueline, B = Simon, C = Linnet
 * Woman Scorned: Jacqueline
 * Triang Relations: Type 4. A = Jacqueline, B = Simon, C = Linnet
 * Woman Scorned: Jacqueline