Lorrimer's cousin Lord Whitfield (Easterfield in the U.S. edition) – Gordon Ragg, a self-made millionaire, and Bridget's fiancé; he owns Ashe Manor Honoria Waynflete – a spinster once betrothed to Gordon Ragg Suspects Mr Ellsworthy – the owner of the antique shop, who performs occult rituals Dr Geoffrey Thomas – the village doctor (and partner of the late Dr Humbleby) Major Horton – a widower who owns bulldogs Mr Abbot – a local solicitor who employed Tommy Pierce Mr Wake – the local rector Supporting characters Mrs Anstruther – Bridget's aunt Jimmy Lorrimer – Luke's friend, Bridget’s cousin Mrs Church – Amy Gibb's aunt Mrs Pierce – Tommy's mother, has a tobacco and paper shop Mrs Jessie Humbleby – widow of Dr Humbleby, Rose's mother Rose Humbleby – daughter of Dr Humbleby Superintendent Battle - Inspector from Scotland Yard who helps to close the case and arrest the suspect. Sir William Ossington – Billy Bones, Luke’s friend at Scotland Yard Victims Harry Carter – the landlord of the "Seven Stars" and a drunkard Amy Gibbs – a servant Mrs Lydia Horton – was Major Horton's wife Dr Humbleby – was a local doctor Tommy Pierce – an annoying youth Miss Lavinia Pinkerton – a spinster (see above) Mr Rivers – was chauffeur to Lord Whitfield Literary significance and reception The Times Literary Supplement of 10 June 1939 published a review of the book by Maurice Percy Ashley, together with And Death Came Too by Richard Hull which began "A week in which new novels by Mr Hull and Mrs Christie appear should be a red letter week for connoisseurs of detective fiction. One must, however, reluctantly confess that neither of them is fully up to standard." After considering in isolation And Death Came Too, Mr. Ashley turned his attention to Murder is Easy and started, "Mrs Christie has abandoned M. Hercule Poirot in her new novel, but it must be confessed that his understudy, Luke Fitzwilliam, a retired policeman from the Mayang States is singularly lacking in 'little grey matter.' Poirot may have recently become, with advancing years, a trifle staid, but absence makes the heart grow fonder of him." After outlining the basics of the plot and the romantic interests of the main character, Mr Ashley concluded, "He (Luke) is less effective a detective than as a lover, which is not surprising since neither he nor the reader is