ABC Murder : Intakes on solving real life problem
On my way of chronologically re-reading Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot (”The ABC Murder” being the 12th in line), I am still in awe for the way Christie was portraying Poirot. Apart from “Murder of Roger Ackroyd” and “Murder on the Orient Express”, this one is also my personal favorites. The plot was interesting, the twist was unanticipated — perfect combination.
In addition, I found some trail of thoughts that apply not only in solving murders, but also in solving daily problems. Because sometimes in doing everything at once in life, we need to be reminded to some basic stuff.
Being on your feet all the time does not always mean you are getting somewhere.
In the midst of problems, we often feel like Hastings, Poirot’s companion and best friend — having urges to go in action, to be always in motion. In numerous occasions had Hastings asked Poirot why he did not go picking up evidences and following every trails. True, being a private detective, Poirot had the law enforcement minions to do all the dirty works. But this did not mean Poirot did not do any dirty work at all. He selectively followed evidences and trails that matter. In doing so, sometimes he needed some time to think. To be still and analyze, which evidences and trails to follow.
Poirot famously said a bit demeaning but spot-on remark on Giraud, a young and active French detective, in their encounter in “Murder on the Links”:
‘Ah, he is smart, Giraud, can do his tricks! So can a good retriever dog. He comes in so pleased with himself. For hours he has crawled on his stomach.’
So, when a lot of things coming and becomes overwhelming, instead of absurdly getting in action immediately, sometimes we need to sit and selectively think, what is our best approach and strategy.
Look out for the significance in the seemingly insignificance.
In the investigation of finding the ABC murderer, Poirot formed a legion comprising the close relatives of the deceases. In the meeting, he asked each person to recount the things they remembered from the day of murder.
‘Sooner or later, by reason of your association with one another, something will come to light, will take on a significance as yet undreamed of. It is like the jigsaw puzzle - each of you may have a piece apparently without meaning, but which when reunited may show a definite portion of the picture as a whole.’
At first, it did not yield a significant result. But then on the second meeting, Poirot unveiled that one person, Thora Grey, missed to inform that she met a significant stranger on the day of the murder.
‘I remember now! How stupid! I’d forgotten all about it. But it wasn’t important. Just one of those men who come round selling stockings…’
Thora Grey dismissed the significance of that particular detail. But it turned out to be the paramount information that overturned the whole investigation. From there, they revealed the first description of the suspect.
Fail to notice body languages, overlook some key messages because we have already formed our own opinion of what is important. These are the things that withholding us from getting solutions. Keep all the information on the table, discuss with others— because others might have different point of view, different knowledge, different ideas. And it might be that particular overlooked piece is what makes the puzzle complete.
Making sense and finding pattern in random facts.
Based on the information from the legion of deceases’ relatives, Poirot found out what to look at: stockings.
‘’… Just one of those men who come round selling stockings…’
‘You remember, Hastings? Andover. The shop. We go upstairs. The bedroom. On a chair. A pair of new silk stockings. And now I know what it was that roused my attention two days ago. It was you, mademoiselle-’ He turned on Megan. ‘ You spoke of your mother who wept because she had bought your sister some new stockings on the very day of the murder…’
Gather up information. When facing a problem, all related information is essentials. Once we have been presented with all the available information, find pattern. Just like what Poirot thinking here, three crimes and three stockings-related story are not coincidences. There has to be something. Keeping the mind ordered (even Poirot always kept lists to help tidying up his thoughts) can help to find the point to solve some problem.
