Features of British Mystery School Writing Illustrated in Agatha Christie's Cat Among the Pigeons

Published in 1959, Cat Among the Pigeons is described as one of Agatha Christie’s most memorable novels. The story begins in Ramat amidst a political revolution, where Jennifer Sutcliffe’s uncle, Bob Rawlinson, is entrusted with precious jewels. Yet he soon meets his death and no one is the wiser about what has become of the jewels. Months later, his niece among with many other students, return for the summer term at the prestigious girls’ school, Meadowbank. However, it soon becomes apparent there is a killer in their midst with the murder of two of the mistresses. The mysteries of the murders and the jewels are entwined and Christie’s Hercule Poirot steps in to solve them. Cat Among the Pigeons is a perfect example of Christie's use of features of British Mystery School writing and the responder is able to see clearly why she is so often called the ‘Queen of Crime’. These features include the placement of clues and puzzles throughout the novel, red herrings, the close circle of suspects, the style of murder, a leading sleuth or detective, and finally the denouement.

One of the main features of this sub-genre of crime fiction is the opportunity for the responder to solve the mystery as the text progresses. The responder has access to the clues placed throughout the novel and this intellectually engages them as they pay close attention to unfolding of the plot. Consequently as the novel goes on, the responder has an increased desire to unravel the mystery. In Cat Among the Pigeons, Christie subtly includes many clues for the responder, to the point where they have more knowledge than many of the characters. For example, the novel begins in Ramat and the responder learns Bob Rawlinson not only is entrusted with the Prince’s p...

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...the genre.

Cat Among the Pigeons demonstrates the typical features of British Mystery School writing through the placement of clues and red herrings, the limited possible suspects, the means by which the victims were murdered, a leading sleuth or detective, and the final resolution. Through these features an engaging and interesting murder mystery is created that captures the attention of the audience until the very close of the novel. The responder is provided with an opportunity to solve the mystery and so is involved within the novel. The final denouement reiterates the idea that balance has been restored and that crime does not pay, themes which are said to attract responder’s and relate to the nature of humanity. This novel highlights Christie’s skills as a writer and illustrates why she is still seen as one of the most successful crime writers of all time.