Pierre-Paul Michel, short for Pierre Michel, is a major protagonist in Agatha Christie's 1934 Hercule Poirot novel, Murder on the Orient Express, and its adaptations. He was one of the twelve culprits who killed Samuel Ratchett (real name Lanfranco Cassetti).
He is a minor character in Agatha Christie’s 1928 Hercule Poirot novel, The Mystery of the Blue Train, which is his first appearance. He returns in Murder on the Orient Express, six years later.
He was portrayed by the late Jean-Pierre Cassel in 1974, the late Nicolas Chagrin in 2001, Denis Ménochet in 2010, and Marwan Kenzari in 2017.
History[]
Pierre Michel was the conductor on board the Orient Express during the time the murder of Samuel Edward Ratchett took place. He was also the father of Susanne Michel, who would become the nursemaid of the Armstrong Family in America. Monsieur Bouc considered Michel a reliable man, and had been with his train company for some 15 years.
After the kidnapping of Daisy Armstrong by Cassetti, Susanne was questioned by the police. She was upset and thought she was being held responsible and so committed suicide by throwing herself out of a window. Cassetti was arrested and tried, but got off on a technicality because of his wealth and influence.
Soon, Linda Arden then gathered a group of interested parties for the purpose of avenging the crime and bringing the criminal to justice. Mitchel joined her group to seek justice for the Armstrongs and his daughter.
After Cassetti's death, Michel aided Poirot in his investigation, mainly by fetching the passengers to interview. He did not reveal his relationship with Susanne but Poirot surmised this. He said this is the only way to explain his complicity with the rest in the killing of Cassetti.
Alongside the other culprits, Michel was spared by Poirot.
Trivia[]
- In the 2017 movie, Pierre was changed to being Suzanne's brother.
