Death Comes as the End

Summary

The novel is set in Ancient Egypt. The main character, Renisenb, returns to her father's house, the priest Imhotep, after her husband's death. Shortly after her return, Imhotep brings a young concubine, Nofret, into the household, causing tension and conflicts within the family. Nofret soon dies under mysterious circumstances, followed by other deaths. Renisenb, along with a family friend, the old scribe Hori, tries to uncover the mystery of the murders and restore peace to the family. Eventually, it is revealed that the murderer was a family member driven by greed and envy.

Main Ideas

• A detective intrigue set in an ancient Egyptian setting
• Exploration of human nature and motives for crime
• The influence of family relationships and conflicts on the plot's development
• The role of women in ancient Egyptian society
• Mystical and religious elements related to ancient Egyptian beliefs
• Psychological tension and an atmosphere of fear
• Gradual revelation of characters' secrets and mysteries

Main Characters and Their Development

• Renisenb — a young widow who returns to her father's house after her husband's death. Throughout the narrative, she begins to notice changes in her family and uncovers many secrets, leading to her inner growth and realization of her own strength and independence.
• Imhotep — Renisenb's father, a priest and the head of the family. His return with a new concubine, Nofret, causes tension and conflicts within the family. His character is revealed as despotic and selfish.
• Nofret — a young and beautiful concubine of Imhotep, whose arrival in the house sparks jealousy and hatred among family members. Her death becomes a catalyst for subsequent events and the revelation of the true nature of the characters.
• Hori — the steward of Imhotep's estate, a wise and loyal man. He plays a crucial role in the murder investigation and in supporting Renisenb.
• Yahmose — Imhotep's eldest son, who feels slighted by Nofret's arrival. His character is revealed as ambitious and jealous.
• Satipy — Yahmose's wife, who also harbors hatred towards Nofret. Her character is revealed as cruel and vengeful.
• Kameni — a scribe and Renisenb's love interest. His character is revealed as kind and honest, helping Renisenb in her quest for the truth.

Style and Technique

Agatha Christie's novel «Death Comes as the End» is distinguished by a unique style that combines elements of detective fiction and historical novel. Set in Ancient Egypt, it lends the work a special atmosphere and exotic color. The language of the book is rich in details that help recreate the era and culture of that time. Literary techniques such as the use of dialogues to reveal characters and intrigues, as well as the gradual build-up of tension, are key elements of Christie's style. The story's structure revolves around a series of mysterious deaths, each adding new layers to the overall mystery. The author masterfully uses elements of suspense and unexpected plot twists to keep the reader's attention until the very end.

Interesting Facts

• The novel is set in Ancient Egypt, making it unique among Agatha Christie's other works.
• It is the only Agatha Christie novel that is not a detective story in the traditional sense, but rather a historical thriller.
• Christie drew inspiration for the book from the letters of Egyptologist Sir Leonard Woolley, who was a friend of her husband.
• The main character of the novel, Renisenb, is one of the few female characters in Christie's works who is not a detective or sleuth.
• The book explores themes of family conflicts and intrigues, making it more psychologically rich compared to the author's other works.

Book Review

«Death Comes as the End» is a unique detective novel by Agatha Christie that transports the reader to Ancient Egypt. Critics note that Christie masterfully recreates the atmosphere of the ancient world, making the book not only a gripping detective story but also a historical novel. The plot revolves around a series of mysterious deaths within a family, and the author skillfully entangles the reader, offering numerous suspects and motives. Critics praise Christie for her ability to maintain intrigue until the very end and for the unexpected finale, which, as always, turns out to be logical and justified. The deep development of characters and their psychological portraits is also noted, adding additional depth to the book. Overall, «Death Comes as the End» is considered one of Agatha Christie's most original and interesting works.