A Murder Is Announced

A Murder Is Announced illustrates how the effects of World War II lasted long after the conflict was over. Although Mrs. Swettenham claims “we’ve got over all that” (3), Christie presents an England still negotiating postwar challenges, including economic austerity and changes to the fabric of society.

Christie’s fiction usually focuses on the English upper to middle classes, and A Murder Is Announced is no exception. However, in this novel, the author features formerly well-off characters reduced to making do. The continued rationing system, due to food and fuel shortages, is shown to be a social leveler. Although illicit bartering permits Chipping Cleghorn’s residents to exchange goods, they go without luxuries. For example, the creation of Delicious death cake involves Miss Blacklock sacrificing ingredients she was saving for Christmas. Meanwhile, the villagers’ repeated exclamations over Miss Blacklock’s central heating reflect their surprise that she is prepared to fire it up with such a limited fuel supply.

A further issue for the characters is hiring and keeping servants. After World War II, there was a shortage of servants as many women had left domestic service for other occupations. Mrs. Swettenham, accustomed to having many servants in India, worries about the consequences of losing her only “help.