Agatha Christie’s manipulation of the confined space of the Orient Express in “Murder on the Orient Express” serves to heighten both suspense and character development in several ways

• The confined space creates a sense of isolation, trapping characters and readers alike, emphasizing the impossibility of escape. This adds fear and tension when confronted with the fact that they are trapped with a murderer and it could be one among them creating mistrust and suspicion among the characters and readers alike.

• It also forces the characters to interact closely, revealing their personalities, relationships, and secrets. Moreover, it allows Hercule Poirot to observe characters’ behavior, body language, and interactions, aiding his investigation.

• Christie expertly uses the confined space to control the pace of the investigation, slowly revealing clues and suspects. The limited space allows Christie to cleverly plant red herrings, keeping readers guessing.

• The enclosed environment amplifies tensions, fears, and anxieties, creating a sense of claustrophobia. This enables unexpected twists to arise, surprising readers and keeping them engaged.

• It creates an impression on the mastermind behind the murder who is not only able to achieve their goal but also evade detection for so long within the confines of a moving train, highlighting Christie’s brilliance in crafting suspenseful and character driven narrative, making the murderer’s identity both shocking and satisfying.