Death On The Nile

People who are guilty of some crime–Pennington, Tim, and Simon are all examples—seem to take an interest in crime or are drawn to Poirot, the detective. It seems that crime holds a seductive appeal for them, and also that all were seduced by the promise of wealth into committing crimes. Each of the men was either drawn into crime by a woman or found it easy to commit a crime by exploiting a woman. Because of her wealth and vulnerability, the predatorial Pennington saw Linnet as an easy victim. Simon was also drawn to crime by the desire to exploit Linnet and her wealth, but he was seduced in a much more literal way, as well; according to Jackie, the beautiful, selfish Linnet did her very best to draw Simon to her. Tim, too, was drawn into crime by his cousin, Joanna; until Tim reveals his engagement to Rosalie, the question whether Joanna and Tim are romantically involved is an open one.

The character who best illustrates the seductiveness of evil is Jackie. Jackie, despite her horrific actions, is portrayed sympathetically: she begins as a perfectly well-meaning person, but because of her excessive and misguided love for Simon, she begins to flirt with evil.