Wasp’s Nest by Agatha Christie- Summary
The story Wasp’s
Nest by Agatha Christie is a short detective story featuring Hercule Poirot, a brilliant Belgian detective known for solving the
most puzzling cases. In this story, Poirot does something unusual: he solves a
crime before it actually happens. The story takes place in a quiet English
village and begins with Poirot visiting
a man named John Harrison. Poirot
says it’s a casual visit, but it soon becomes clear that he has a very serious
reason for being there.
John Harrison is a lonely man who lives alone in a nice house with a garden. He
seems polite and calm, but Poirot has learned that something is not quite right. A large wasp’s nest hangs in the garden, and Harrison says that he plans to destroy it himself using poison. The
wasp’s nest seems harmless at first,
just a part of the garden, but it becomes an important symbol of the danger hiding in this quiet place.
As the two men talk, Poirot begins to ask
questions that seem innocent but are
actually very clever. He brings up the topic
of wasps, poison, and even talks
about how people react when they are betrayed. Poirot also mentions a man named
Claude Langton, who used to be a
close friend of Harrison and is now engaged to a woman named Molly Deane. Molly was once engaged to Harrison, but their relationship ended,
and now she is going to marry Claude. Although Harrison says he has no hard
feelings, it becomes clear that he is still hurt and possibly jealous.
Poirot’s questions become more pointed, and
Harrison becomes uncomfortable.
Poirot suddenly changes the direction of the conversation and says something
shocking: he believes a murder is about
to happen—and he is there to stop it before it does. Harrison is stunned. Poirot explains that he has put together a few
clues. First, Harrison has been telling people that he is seriously ill, but Poirot knows this is a lie. Poirot also
found out that Harrison ordered cyanide,
a deadly poison, saying it was to kill the wasp’s nest. Lastly, Poirot
knows that Claude Langton recently
visited Harrison’s garden and was planning to visit again soon.
Poirot reveals what he believes is Harrison’s
plan. Harrison wanted to poison himself
just after Claude’s visit, making it look like Claude had poisoned him out of
jealousy. This way, Claude would be
blamed and punished for murder. Harrison, who would already be dead, would
get his revenge on the man who stole his love. Poirot says that Harrison
planned to drink the poison quietly after Claude left, so no one would see what
really happened. Since Harrison was
pretending to be sick, people would not suspect suicide, and Claude would
appear guilty. It was a perfect trap—except Poirot saw through it.
Harrison is shocked that Poirot knows so much.
He tries to deny it at first, but Poirot gently insists that he is right.
Poirot says he does not want to arrest Harrison
because, technically, no crime has been committed yet. Instead, he gives
Harrison a chance to stop and change his mind. Poirot makes it clear that
suicide is never the answer, and taking
revenge by ruining another person’s life is a terrible thing. After
thinking for a while, Harrison gives in. He promises not to go through with the
plan, and Poirot says he will take care
of the poison so it can do no harm.
The story ends quietly, without violence or
arrests. But it leaves a deep impression on the reader. Unlike most detective
stories, where the crime happens and is then solved, this one is different. Poirot uses his sharp mind to prevent a
tragedy before it takes place. The story is not just about mystery, but
also about emotions like jealousy, heartbreak, and revenge.
The wasp’s nest itself is more than just a
part of the garden. It stands for the
hidden danger that was growing inside Harrison. Just like a wasp’s nest
looks calm from the outside but holds stinging insects inside, Harrison
appeared calm but was planning something deadly. The poison he planned to use
on the wasps was the same poison he wanted to use on himself. It was a symbol of his desire to hurt and destroy.
Poirot’s role in this story shows that true intelligence is not just about solving
puzzles, but also about understanding people. He knew that Harrison was not
evil, just hurt and blinded by pain.
Instead of punishing him, Poirot offers him a way out, a second chance.
That makes the story not just clever but also kind and thoughtful.
In a very short space, Agatha Christie manages to create suspense, emotional
tension, and a satisfying ending. Wasp’s Nest is special because it focuses
not only on the crime, but also on preventing it and saving lives before it’s
too late. It shows that sometimes, the best detectives don’t just catch
murderers—they stop murders from happening at all.
