Evil Under The Sun – Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot Seaside Mystery

Last Updated on April 22, 2026

Agatha Christie’s Evil Under the Sun is a classic Hercule Poirot mystery that combines a picturesque setting, a tangled web of relationships, and a murder that seems impossible to solve.

Despite having read it in great detail (twice, a good few years apart), I still had no idea who, let alone how, the murder was committed, until Poirot gave a full explanation.

If you haven’t read the book, don’t worry, I’ll take you through the details with no spoilers!

It is one of Christie’s most beloved works and for good reason so let’s go…

A Murder in Paradise

The story begins with Hercule Poirot enjoying what is supposed to be a relaxing holiday at the Jolly Roger Hotel, an exclusive seaside resort on a private island in Devon.

However, as Poirot himself notes, “evil exists everywhere under the sun,” and it doesn’t take long for trouble to brew.

The central figure of the drama is Arlena Stuart Marshall, a stunning former actress whose beauty and flirtatious nature make her both admired and despised.

Married to Kenneth Marshall, a reserved and stoic man, Arlena openly flaunts her affair with Patrick Redfern, a handsome and charming guest.

This behaviour naturally stirs resentment among other guests, including Patrick’s meek wife Christine and Kenneth’s teenage daughter Linda, who harbours deep animosity toward her stepmother.

One morning, Arlena is found strangled on a secluded beach known as Pixy Cove. The murder seems baffling because everyone at the hotel has an alibi.

Poirot must get those little grey cells working overtime to unravel not only who committed the crime but also how it was carried out so seamlessly.

The Jolly Roger Hotel

The Jolly Roger Hotel is as much a character in the story as any of its guests.

Set on an isolated island with breathtaking views of the sea and rugged cliffs, it provides an idyllic backdrop for what initially seems like a peaceful retreat.

But beneath its sunny exterior lies tension and intrigue. Christie uses this confined setting brilliantly to create a “locked-room” mystery vibe—no one can leave the island, and everyone is under suspicion.

In reality the Jolly Roger Hotel is actually Burgh Island Hotel which, in the 1930s, become a hotspot for celebrities.

Agatha Christie made Burgh Island her second home, writing Evil Under the Sun and And Then There Were None while staying in her private Beach House retreat.

A Cast Full of Secrets

Here’s a rundown of the key players:

Arlena Stuart Marshall: The glamorous but controversial victim whose beauty masks her manipulative tendencies.

Kenneth Marshall: Arlena’s husband, who appears calm but may have hidden depths.

Linda Marshall: Kenneth’s teenage daughter, who loathes her stepmother.

Patrick Redfern: Arlena’s lover, whose charm hides darker motives.

Christine Redfern: Patrick’s wife, quiet and unassuming but not without her own secrets.

Rosamund Darnley: A successful dressmaker and Kenneth’s old friend who is still a little bit in love with him.

Reverend Stephen Lane: A religious man who believes Arlena embodies evil.

Major Barry: A retired military man prone to long-winded stories.

Emily Brewster: An athletic woman with strong opinions about morality.

Horace Blatt: A wealthy businessman with his own reasons for disliking Arlena.

Mr & Mrs Gardner: An American couple on holiday in England.

Almost everyone has a motive for wanting Arlena dead. Whether that’s jealousy, revenge, or even financial gain, but all of their alibis seem airtight.

Why It’s a Classic

Evil Under the Sun exemplifies Christie’s genius for misdirection. She lays out all the clues in plain sight but distracts us with clever red herrings.

The solution hinges on an ingenious deception involving timing and character impersonation, a hallmark of her best work.

The novel also explores themes like appearances versus reality. Arlena may seem like a femme fatale, but as Poirot discovers, she is more victim than villain.

The plot is so well developed and every minute is accounted for that working it out is nearly impossible.

It’s no wonder that Evil Under the Sun has stood the test of time as one of Christie’s most celebrated mysteries!

Comparing the Book to the BBC Adaptation (2001)

Having finished the book for the second time (it had been years since I read it the first time so I had forgotten the minutia of the story), I then went and watch the David Suchet episode.

This particular version was adapted by Anthony Horowitz, who I love, but there were huge differences between the book and the TV movie.

First off, it doesn’t start at the hotel, it starts in London with Captain Hastings opening and Argentinian restaurant, after which Poirot takes a turn and is told by the doctor to go to a health retreat.

That health spa then turns out to be the hotel – under a different name, Sandy Cove. I wasn’t a fan of this change as the idea in the book was that really nobody could get on or get off the island.

He’s there with Captain Hastings, Chief Inspector Japp, and Miss Lemon, characters who do not appear in the novel.

Their presence helps frame Poirot’s holiday as part of his broader life but deviates from Christie’s original narrative.

Also, Linda Marshall becomes Lionel Marshall – no idea why!

And finally, the adaptation incorporates elements of drug smuggling into its narrative. This is a subplot hinted at in the book but only in a minor way.

There’s really no point in having it in the TV version as it doesn’t add anything to the overall story.

What Works Better?

David Suchet’s portrayal of Hercule Poirot in the 2001 adaptation of Evil Under the Sun is nothing short of brilliant.

Suchet embodies Poirot’s meticulousness, wit, and humanity with remarkable precision, making him the definitive version of Christie’s famous detective.

The visual atmosphere of the adaptation also stands out, beautifully capturing the 1930s aesthetic through lush cinematography and period-accurate costumes that transport viewers to a bygone era.

Despite some creative liberties taken with the story, the core mystery and its clever resolution remain intact, preserving the essence of the original work.

However, it does fall short on glamor with the hotel being turned into a health retreat which robs the story of its escapist charm a little bit.

Plus we didn’t need the subplots which just watered down the original plot of the book.

So as always (well, nearly) the book is better. Sorry Anthony Horowitz!

Final Thoughts

Evil Under The Sun is a masterclass in misdirection and atmosphere and is a must-read for any mystery fan.

It gives you everything you want from a classic whodunnit – a sunny seaside hotel, a group of guests with secrets, and Poirot in top form.

The setting feels peaceful at first, but you can tell trouble is brewing under all that holiday charm.

Then a glamorous woman turns up dead, and suddenly everyone’s got a motive.

What makes this book stand out is how cleverly Christie hides the truth in plain sight.

It’s a proper puzzle, but fair – and the twist, when it comes, is so neat you almost want to applaud.