The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim

You can tell by the décor in the house and the way the characters are dressed that this story takes place in the 1920’s .Its actually kind of obvious with the grown out mustaches, pocket watches, fedoras, and business suits that everyone is wearing. Even his wife’s hair style is an obvious retro throw back into this earlier era.

The story then goes on to Poirot, Hastings, and Japp all talking about how Mr. Davenheim had disappeared that day and Japp makes a deal with Poirot that he can’t solve the mystery in a week without leaving his house. Poirot accepts and the investigation begins.

Japp begins to interview anyone and everyone who is involved in the mystery, including the maids who work at Mr. Davenheim’s house. Eventually we find out that the safe in the house has been broken into. Poirot is just interested that the house has a lake next to it and japp tells him that it will be searched the next day. Upon being searched Mr. Davenheim’s belongings are found and Mr. Lowen is taken into custody.

Then a thief known as Billy is arrested and when he is searched they find Mr. Davenheim’s ring. Billy tells the police a story which would further incriminate Mr. Lowen. After hearing all these details Poirot is convinced that he knows the answer.

They go to the courthouse and Poirot, ripping of the wig of Billy reveals that he is infact Mr. Davenheim. He had been planning a second life for himself the whole time and was planning on framing Mr. Lowen for his murder. Poirot gives the police all the details and is awarded his money by Japp.

I thought the acting was kinda funny and “old school”. I mean they should have realized that Billy and Mr.Davenheim were the same people. A clean shave and a bit of dirt doesn’t completely change someone’s identity. I think the story was a good mystery and though I only downloaded this one episode of Poirot investigates for the soul purpose of this assignment I’m sure the rest of the Poirot mysteries are all equally entertaining.