Laura Warwick is introduced into the story as the killer of her husband. She has had enough of a motive to kill him and one could make a good case of prosecuting her. However, she didn't do it. As the book unravels, it is revealed that she had been having a 2 year long affair with the political major of the town. She despised her husband, however she couldn't leave him because if she did then Richard would put his half-brother, Jan (whom is mentally retarded), into a mental institution. Laura is very against this, and believes that Jan is perfectly capable of living with the family, which he has been for his entire life. Laura seems to be very compassionate, caring, and beautiful, however she never seems to have a full grasp of what is happening around her.
All of the clues to solve the mystery, are, in a way, given in the first four chapters. A man named Michael Starkdweller has his car break down, and stumbles into the Warwick home, where he discovers a dead man in a wheelchair, and his wife with a gun in her hand. Starkdweller is intrigued by the woman and discovers her past with her husband. Instead of calling the police, he tries to shift the blame to an old enemy of the husband. The enemy (named Macgregor) had his son killed by Richard in a drunk driving 'accident'. When the police come the next morning, they use those clues that Starkdweller and Laura planted, and have Macgregor as their prime suspect. They do a major investigation of finding Macgregor whom lives in Alaska. Meanwhile, Jan is acting out, and repeatedly saying that he is now the man of the house, and he will get all the guns. The police come back the next day with shocking news: Macgregor's dead. And he has been for the past 2 years. with Macgregor out of the picture, the next prime suspect is Jan. It is believed that Jan killed Richard up until the end when there is a startling twist.
When the police arrive at the scene of the crime the next morning, there are two officers: Inspector Thomas, and Sergeant Cadwallader. It is entertaining to see Sergeant Cadwallader, as he is the comic relief in such a dark murder. The funniest part was seeing him be awkward and funny in such a dark time. For example:
'Sergeant Cadwallader, who had been following the questioning, now broke in. "Oh, do they not, indeed!" he exclaimed. "The way they talk sometimes, you'd think that not only were they within the speed limit, but that they'd managed to get into reverse at the same time!"
Annoyed at this latest interruption, the Inspector turned slowly and looked at the Sergeant. Miss Bennett also regarded the young man in some surprise. Embarrassed, Sergeant Cadwallader looked down at his notes, and the Inspector again turned to Miss Bennett.'
Agatha Christie creates a great story of revenge, deceit, and false identity in one of the greatest books ever written. She again defines herself as one of the greatest writers of our time with The Unexpected Guest.
