AMBLER’S MODIFICATIONS TO THE THRILLER: A Comparative Analysis of Epitaph for a Spy and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Abstract: Eric Ambler is known for his revision of the thriller and the modifications of the conventions entailed with the spy genre. The essay argues that Ambler applies these revisions to his novel, Epitaph for a Spy. The specific aim is to examine how Ambler has employed genres and techniques to modify the convention of the spy thriller with a comparative analysis of the “whodunit”. The essay has two sections and each section is divided into two parts. The first subsection compares the setting with a comparable setting in the “whodunit” story. The second subsection compares the gossip and presumption of guilt in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and Epitaph for a Spy. The second section consists of a more specific study of the two essential characters from each novel: Joseph Vadassy in Epitaph for a Spy and Hercule Poirot in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. The first subsection analyses the typical traits and behaviour of Vadassy via consideration of spies and detectives. The second and final subsection is an analysis of the comical aspect of each novel and character and how the authors use comedy to modify the genres. Overall, this essay is a comparative analysis that seeks to answer how Ambler modifies the genre conventions of the spy thriller.