Beyond Paradise fans spot Agatha Christie link in new episode

What did you miss?

The first episode of Beyond Paradise series 2 gave viewers a doozy of a mystery as Kris Marshall's detective Humphrey investigated a killing on a train — during a murder-mystery event.

Viewers wasted no time drawing Agatha Christie parallels. Of course, the train setting put iconic Poirot story Murder on the Orient Express into everyone's minds and then the conclusion of the narrative offered up another sizeable nod to the classic novel. There are, of course, some spoilers ahead.

Who, what and why?

The new Beyond Paradise story followed Humphrey's attempts to solve the mysterious murder of Paul Yellen (Adam Fogerty). He was playing the victim in the staged killing, but was found dead for real in the early part of the episode.

Throughout the investigation, Humphrey was baffled by one detail of the crime. Despite Paul being brutally stabbed in the back, there was no blood around his body. How could this be the case?

It ultimately transpired that Paul was already dead when he was stabbed, having previously been poisoned with curare — the same plant-based substance used in South America to make poison darts.

Just like in Murder on the Orient Express, there was more than one killer — and viewers on Twitter were quick to make the connection.

Beyond Paradise went for just two killers rather than the parade of stabbers in Christie's 1934 story, but the allusions to Murder on the Orient Express were clear throughout.

After all, if you're making a whodunnit, why not pay homage to one of the very finest examples of the genre?

What else happened on Beyond Paradise?

We got to see Humphrey and Martha (Sally Bretton) share a date night together early in the episode, in which they discussed their hopes to foster a child together. This is a very personal storyline for Kris Marshall and will run through the second series.

Elsewhere, the show was praised for the emotional elements of the central murder story, which ultimately ended up focusing on parents dealing with their son being seriously injured by a drunk-driver.

Beyond Paradise returns to BBC One on Friday 29 March at 9pm.

Read more:

• Beyond Paradise team ‘facing an existential threat’ in series 2

• Kris Marshall says DI Humphrey return is 'like slipping on an old pair of slippers'

• Death in Paradise fans hope Ralf Little isn't leaving show after shock twist

Watch: Trailer for Beyond Paradise series 2