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Quiz about Murder in the Mews
Quiz about Murder in the Mews

Murder in the Mews Trivia Quiz


"Murder in the Mews" was published in a collection of four mysteries by Agatha Christie. "Murder in the Mews" was also the British title of the collection. This quiz is only about the short story and includes the solution.

A multiple-choice quiz by albinerhawk. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
albinerhawk
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
321,572
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
228
Last 3 plays: Guest 82 (3/10), wellenbrecher (10/10), PurpleComet (7/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. At the beginning of the tale, Hercule Poirot and Chief Inspector Japp were walking by the mews. Japp remarked that it was "a good night for a murder". Which holiday did the death occur on? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. The next day, Poirot was sent for by Japp over the curious suicide of Mrs. Allen. Which of these clues did NOT make Japp suspicious that Mrs. Allen was actually murdered? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Jane Plenderleith, Barbara Allen's housemate, was the first to discover something wrong, and called the police. What was her alibi? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. For a few minutes, Poirot had time alone with Miss Plenderleith. What did they discuss? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. What pertinent clue did Japp find that Miss Plenderleith dismissed as "not the kind of thing usually worn by our sex"? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Barbara Allen was engaged to an MP (member of Parliament), named Laverton-West. Which of these descriptions best match him? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Colonel Eustace was apparently the last person to see Barbara Allen alive. What were her last words as overheard by the bystanders as the Colonel left? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. When Japp and Poirot became interested in a cabinet, Miss Plenderleith became concerned about a certain item that was key to the mystery. Which item was TRULY pertinent to the solution and NOT a red herring? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Japp and Poirot concluded that Colonel Eustace was blackmailing Mrs. Allen early on in the mystery. What secret did the Colonel have? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Finally, in the end, who was ultimately responsible for the death of Barbara Allen? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 26 2024 : Guest 82: 3/10
Mar 11 2024 : wellenbrecher: 10/10
Feb 12 2024 : PurpleComet: 7/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. At the beginning of the tale, Hercule Poirot and Chief Inspector Japp were walking by the mews. Japp remarked that it was "a good night for a murder". Which holiday did the death occur on?

Answer: Guy Fawkes Day

Guy Fawkes Day observed the treasonous plot of Guy Fawkes to blow up the parliament building. It is on November 5th. Japp's remark was referring to the number of firecrackers being used. It would certainly cover up any sound of gunfire. The victim was killed by a gunshot.
2. The next day, Poirot was sent for by Japp over the curious suicide of Mrs. Allen. Which of these clues did NOT make Japp suspicious that Mrs. Allen was actually murdered?

Answer: The body fell from the chair unnaturally.

Actually the Doctor pointed out that the body was in the right position for having shot herself and slipped out of the chair. Special mention was made that it was nearly impossible for Mrs. Allen to have shot herself with the right hand. The gun was also wiped of fingerprints and loosely held in the victim's hand.
3. Jane Plenderleith, Barbara Allen's housemate, was the first to discover something wrong, and called the police. What was her alibi?

Answer: She was away visiting friends.

Miss Plenderleith was cool and efficient with her answers. She claimed to have arrived home and found the door locked. She was full of information but seemed to be holding something back. She had known Mrs. Allen for five years and met her as Mrs. Allen was leaving India. She also informed them that Mrs. Allen had lost her daughter when the child was three years old.
4. For a few minutes, Poirot had time alone with Miss Plenderleith. What did they discuss?

Answer: Gas fires

Poirot noted that there was a gas fire in Mrs. Allen's sitting room, and the fire in the downstairs was a real wood fire. Japp became increasingly irritated with Poirot's interest in the mundane. He also noted the watch on Mrs. Allen's right wrist and her writing bureau. Japp was additionally amused by Poirot's investigation into the dust bins.
5. What pertinent clue did Japp find that Miss Plenderleith dismissed as "not the kind of thing usually worn by our sex"?

Answer: Half of a man's cuff link

The piece of cuff link was found at the crime scene. They would later discover that it belonged to Colonel Eustace who visited Mrs. Allen the previous night. Turkish cigarettes were also found in the room, but neither of the two women smoked that brand. It would be another clue to be linked with Colonel Eustace later.
6. Barbara Allen was engaged to an MP (member of Parliament), named Laverton-West. Which of these descriptions best match him?

Answer: Reserved

Japp described Laverton-West as a "bit of a stuffed fish" and a "boiled owl". No one seemed to like the up and coming politician, but Mrs. Allen was devoted to him. Mr. Laverton-West mentioned that he was trying to keep a stiff upper lip despite the loss of his fiance. His alibi was very weak, but Japp really never suspected him.
7. Colonel Eustace was apparently the last person to see Barbara Allen alive. What were her last words as overheard by the bystanders as the Colonel left?

Answer: They were inaudible.

Mrs. James Hogg, the wife of the third chauffeur, told Japp about the overheard conversation. However, no one could remember what Mrs. Allen was wearing. This led Japp to believe that the conversation was faked for people to believe that she was there when she was not. They clearly heard Colonel Eustace's words of: "Think it over and let me know." and "All right. So long."
8. When Japp and Poirot became interested in a cabinet, Miss Plenderleith became concerned about a certain item that was key to the mystery. Which item was TRULY pertinent to the solution and NOT a red herring?

Answer: The golf clubs

Miss Plenderleith took great care to draw attention to the brief case. Later she went golfing and threw the case into the lake. Actually Poirot would point out that she was deliberately discarding the golf clubs, the actual clue. They belonged to Barbara Allen and revealed that she was actually left-handed.

This fact was also supported by the arrangement of her writing desk and her watch being on her right wrist.
9. Japp and Poirot concluded that Colonel Eustace was blackmailing Mrs. Allen early on in the mystery. What secret did the Colonel have?

Answer: Mrs. Allen had an illegitimate child.

Mrs. Allen was never married, but she used the widow story to cover up her child's lack of married parents. With her marriage to a snobby MP, it would be extremely important to keep this fact quiet. She was frequently overdrawn from her bank account. Japp did wonder why the blackmailer would kill his victim, but he suspected the Colonel anyway.
10. Finally, in the end, who was ultimately responsible for the death of Barbara Allen?

Answer: Mrs. Allen

Mrs. Allen finally realized that by marrying Laverton-West that she would be exposing him to blackmail as well. Loving him too much, she took her own life. Miss Plenderleith discovered the body and believed Colonel Eustace was to blame for Mrs. Allen's decision.

She took the cuff link and cigarettes to the room, discarded the suicide note, and disguised the suicide to look like a murder. Poirot's interest in dust bins was that he could not find the blotting paper that the suicide note was written on.

It was burned that morning by the wood fire in the downstairs room by Miss Plenderleith. Colonel Eustace would face other crimes that he was responsible for.
Source: Author albinerhawk

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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Related Quizzes
This quiz is part of series Hercule Poirot books:

A list of Hercule Poirot books by chronological order.

  1. "The Mysterious Affair at Styles" Tough
  2. The Murder on the Links Average
  3. "Poirot Investigates" by Agatha Christie Tough
  4. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926) Easier
  5. The Big Four Average
  6. The Mystery of the Blue Train Average
  7. Peril at End House (1932) Average
  8. Lord Edgware Dies Average
  9. "Murder on the Orient Express" Average
  10. Agatha Christie's "Three Act Tragedy" Average
  11. Agatha Christie's "Death in the Clouds" Average
  12. The ABC Murders Average

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