A compelling read for true Christie fans (Murder On the Orient Express - Agatha Christie)

Name: anonymili

Hello doyoo user, You have to be logged in to use these functions... Login or register Close window

Send message to member

Product:	Murder On the Orient Express - Agatha Christie
Date:	15/03/06 (340 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Keeps you guessing till the end

Disadvantages: Too many suspects to keep track of

I've read this one several times from front to back as well as having watched the film quite a few times too. The film version is full of well known stars and well worth watching to get a good "feel" for the Orient Express itself.

The book was first published in 1934 and my copy "Agatha Christie Signature Edition" was published in 2001.


~*~BACKGROUND/STORY TEASER~*~

Interestingly enough, the story is based partly on the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby in 1932 in America, when a hefty ransom was paid for the safe return of the kidnapped child who was killed by the kidnappers even after receiving the ransom.

The story (and the film of 1974) is set in the 1930s (when the original story was written) and although passengers aboard the Orient Express seemingly go about their business, there's a sinister feeling in the air. Soon an American passenger, Mr Ratchett, is found dead - stabbed 12 times - in his compartment and cue Poirot's investigation into "whodunnit".

Poirot in on form as usual, he's in his element here and as amusing as ever in his own little eccentric way. Monsiuer Bouc, the director of the train company is on board and asks Poirot to take on the case when the murder takes place. There's a doctor on board who assists Poirot with the investigation, determining the time of death, etc.

Then you have Mary Debenham, a spinster, who Poirot finds very challenging indeed. Mrs Hubbard, an American who's pretty loud and somewhat annoying. Colonel Arbuthnot, a very "English gentleman" is the strong silent type and overly polite. Princess Dragomiroff is an unlikeable Russian old lady. Then you've got Hector McQueen, the murder victim's Secretary, Countess Andrenyi - a beautiful young woman, her husband - Count Andrenyi who adores her, Cyrus Hardman - a detective, Edward Masterman is the murdered man's valet, quite a polite chap, Antonio Foscanelli - a large Italian man who is suspected only because Monsieur Bouc doesn't like Italians (LOL), Greta Ohlsson - a nurse, Hildegarde Schmidt - Princess Dragomiroff's maid. Last but not least you have Pierre Michel the conductor on board the Orient Express.

One by one Poirot interviews all of the above characters to get to the truth - a truth which is incomprehensible... 13 suspects in all, but whodunit? Let Poirot slowly uncover it for you in this Christie masterpiece!


~*~STYLE~*~

The book is written in 3 parts with chapters within each part. The first part is titled "The Facts" (8 chapters), part 2 is "The Evidence" (15 chapters) and part 3 is "Hercule Poirot Sits Back And Thinks" (9 chapters).

I can't fault Agatha Christie's style of writing. Each page is full of suspense and makes you want to keep on reading. I'm one of those readers who often has to read a book right through to the end even if it means staying up from 11pm to 5am! Christie is one of those authors that has encouraged me to do just that over many years!

For those of you who've read any other Christie mysteries, this one is truly different from the rest. When "whodunit" is revealed you'll be gobsmacked (but then again you'll have probably already seen the movie on TV like millions of other people).

As with most Christie books the characters are developed to an extent that you can empathise with them, even though on first inspection many of them can seem cold, calculating or downright arrogant. When the plot unfolds, all is understood and it's all perfectly wrapped up, there were no loose ends to my mind.


~*~SUMMARY~*~

Even though I know how it's going to end, I still manage to get something out of reading this masterpiece each time. There are so many characters, so many suspects, and an absolutely detestable victim - you end up sympathising with ALL of the suspects and almost want to have a pop at him with a butcher's knife yourself...

This is a must for diehard Christie fans (like myself). The ending is exciting and a complete surprise, but, of course I'm not going to give it away here! Read on and see for yourself... Or if you're too lazy to read the book, wait till the film comes on TV - which it does pretty much every year!


Personally I'd give it a high 9 out of 10!


NB: this book can be purchased from Amazon for just under £6 or you can try a search on dooyoo for alternative prices.

Summary: A must for diehard Christie fans like myself