One, Two, Buckle My Shoe (Hercule Poirot, #22) Summary & Key Insights

In Agatha Christie's One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, Hercule Poirot investigates a series of seemingly unconnected deaths, each with a peculiar rhyme associated with it. The novel opens with the death of a seemingly insignificant individual, Mrs. Perenna, found poisoned at her home. However, this is merely the prelude to a more sinister pattern. A young woman, Lucy, is found dead, a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning. Then, a wealthy businessman, the seemingly invulnerable Mr. Spenlow, meets a similar fate. Each death is linked by a nursery rhyme: "One, two, buckle my shoe; Three, four, shut the door; Five, six, pick up sticks; Seven, eight, lay them straight; Nine, ten, a big fat hen."

The investigation unfolds slowly, with Poirot meticulously piecing together clues that initially seem disparate. The rhyme acts as a macabre guide, each verse hinting at the circumstances surrounding each death, although the connection isn't immediately obvious. The key to unlocking the mystery lies in the seemingly unrelated lives of the victims. The investigation leads Poirot to a group of individuals connected by a shared past, a network of complicated relationships and hidden resentments stemming from a wartime incident.

Key characters include Poirot himself, of course, whose astute observation and brilliant deduction are central to unraveling the plot. He is assisted by Chief Inspector Japp, a capable but less refined detective, providing a contrast to Poirot's methodical approach. Other significant characters include the seemingly innocent and vulnerable Lucy, whose death serves as a critical turning point; the enigmatic and potentially sinister Mr. Spenlow; and several individuals from the group implicated in the wartime incident. These characters, through their relationships and hidden motives, contribute to the complexity of the mystery.

The overarching theme revolves around the consequences of past actions and the insidious nature of revenge. The nursery rhyme acts as a symbol of seemingly childish innocence masking a deeply sinister plot orchestrated by someone seeking retribution for past wrongs. The novel explores the enduring impact of war, particularly the lasting psychological scars it inflicts and the potential for explosive consequences when repressed traumas resurface. Justice, or rather, a twisted form of it, becomes the driving force behind the murders, highlighting the destructive capacity of unchecked anger and the desire for revenge. The seemingly random deaths are deliberately planned, each victim selected for their connection to a past crime. Ultimately, Poirot's investigation exposes the truth and brings the killer to justice, restoring order and highlighting the importance of accountability, even after years have passed.