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'The Shameful Peace'

By Frederic Spotts

CHAPTER 1 The Judgement of Paris

In Agatha Christie's 1933 mystery, Lord Edgware Dies, the murderer inadvertently unmasks herself at a smart luncheon party by commenting on another guest's reference to the Judgement of Paris. "Paris? Why, Paris doesn't cut any ice nowadays," she exclaimed. "It's London and New York that counts." It was a painful moment. Around the table frowns were frowned and gasps were gasped. The hostess began to talk violently about Russian opera; the Duke of Merton's lips were tightly drawn.