The Foreword is written by Captain Arthur Hastings, close friend of Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. Hastings narrates much of this work and appears in several other works in the Poirot series. The Foreword serves as a guide to the reader that while most of the work describes events in which Hastings participated directly, others are written in the third person because they reflect events he learned of after the fact. Hastings asserts that Poirot has “vetted” his account for accuracy. He also confesses that the forthcoming work deals with emotions and romantic relationships to a degree that some readers might find excessive, but they are integral to the narrative. Hastings closes by praising the “real genius” of Poirot, his close friend and collaborator.

In 1935, Hastings had left England for South America, but a global economic collapse required his return to England in June. Hastings indicates that his first goal was to renew his acquaintance with Poirot, a friend of long standing, who has lived in England since arriving as a refugee during World War I.

Hastings also notes that Poirot looks younger, and his hair is less grey.