Deception

In today’s post, we delve into another theme inspired by Agatha Christie’s Labors of Hercules. The theme is Deception.

Deception is an obvious and strong vein in any thriller and crime friction. And of course, none nail the element as amazingly as the Queen of Crime.

Noteworthy examples are of course:

Of Parker Pyne short stories, House at Shiraz and Gates of Baghdad are amazing stories that cleverly work on the concept of deception but for the main character and villain respectively. It’s amazing how she used the same element but with a contrary spin.The Affair of the Victory Ball is a short story featuring Hercule Poirot where the villain uses time and deception to fool everyone.A similar point is used in Pocket Full of Rye and Evil Under the Sun featuring Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot as the principal investigators.Another marvelous story hinging on deception is the story After the Funeral with a brilliant unmasking by the famed Poirot.My favorite of course is the crime fiction N or M. Set against the backdrop of the brink of World War II, espionage is the perfect setting for deception of all sorts. Who is true and who is not? Brilliant piece of drama and action by the middle aged Tommy and Tuppence- this one keeps you guessing till the very end. The last few pages too have a surprise twist and reveal an unexpected deception- this one is surely for the read and re-read category.

After that analysis, it’s time to talk about a different author’s novel that rings true to this same theme and is of equal if not greater brilliance.

That novel is Inferno by Dan Brown.

Set across Europe and meandering amid History, Art, Culture, Science and Espionage- this book has it all. Action, drama, deception, chase scenes, philosophy and the unmistakable intensity characteristic of Dan Brown’s writing.

While some may find distasteful, given we are in the midst of a pandemic, the setting is a better escape into fairly milder story than what we are currently viewing.

And hey, the characters are splendid. The puzzles are marvelous. The descriptions of the countries and places are spectacular. For all us resigned to being at home and venturing only close by, this makes for a great read to assuage that wanderlust.

Like the rest of his books, this one is long. But it is so riveting, you will be racing from each scene, just waiting to know what is next. In that sense, 450 odd pages are just right if not too little.

I loved the novel and think it is a perfect contender for the theme of Deception. How about you? If you have read the book, do you agree with the points made here.

What book comes to your mind when you think of “Deception“?

Leave your responses in the comments below.