Point of View

Third person omniscient, particularly from Poirot's perspective, is the point of view in Cards on the Table, with the common story-telling technique of revealing certain thoughts of secondary characters to move the story along and inform the reader as events unfold. The reader is present physically at each scene where either a sleuth or suspect is involved, and is privy to many thoughts and ideas any of the characters have. The murderer's thoughts in the case of Dr. Roberts, however, are well hidden from the reader, as well as Mrs. Lorrimer's thoughts. A good number of times the reader is invited to share Poirot's thoughts, but only up to a certain point: "His mind was not quite at rest. He sat for a long time in front of his fire, frowning to himself. At last, putting his fears and doubts aside, he went to bed" (Chap...