Formal experiments in narrative structure in Christie's work

Agatha Christie's career is characterized by her extensive exploration of formal devices and narrative structures within the detective genre. From setting constraints and limited suspect lists to red herrings and unexpected plot twists, she pushes the boundaries of the genre while adhering to its rules. Her breakthrough novel, 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,' features a narrator who commits the murder, challenging traditional storytelling conventions. In 'Murder on the Orient Express,' all the characters act in concert, making the evidence intentionally contradictory. Christie's books often gesture at their own artificiality and use motifs from the theatre and detective fiction. Her masterpieces, such as 'And Then There Were None' and 'Murder on the Orient Express,' demonstrate her skill in crafting intricate and unconventional narratives.