Point of View

For the most part, the novel is narrated from the third person omniscient point of view, anchored by the perspective and experience of Hercule Poirot, its central character. In general, the reader experiences events and conversations from his point of view - s/he hears what Poirot hears and sees what he sees, clues and red herrings (false clues) alike. This is an effective narrative technique in a mystery novel such as Murder on the Orient Express, in that for the most part, the reader has exactly the same information as the detective (in this case Poirot), and has the opportunity to challenge him/herself to come up with the solution before the detective actually presents it. There are occasions in which Poirot has information the reader will likely NOT have - for example, his knowledge of the mercantile partnership of Debenham and Freebody, which...