Writers of Color 50 Books Challenge

I would argue that the use of French is not so much to 'show off' but more to draw on a common vocabulary Christie, et. al would've had in common. Most European countries, not just England, do a better job with teaching other languages than our own does, and especially at the level of education Christie and her assumed readers would've had-- it's like using Netspeak today to convey a certain attitude or mood.