Agatha Christie’s use of the confined space on the Orient Express in “Murder on the Orient Express” is key to both suspense and character growth resulting in a tight thriller. Suspense: – The small space creates a sense of hopelessness, and as people are trapped with a killer, the tension ratchets up. – Few ways to escape and no help from outside makes everyone feel more vulnerable. – Christie times her reveals and plot twists just right so you’re on the edge of your seat as you move through the narrow corridors and compartments. Character Development: – The small space forces characters to interact and show their true selves through conversations, actions and connections. – Christie uses the setting to reveal characters’ backstories, motivations and hidden truths making them more real and relatable. – The Orient Express becomes a pressure cooker and exposes character flaws and strengths and in the end the killer. By using the small space of the Orient Express, Christie creates a thriller that gets into people’s heads, relationships and the darker side of human nature and keeps you hooked until the very end.