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spuriousdiphthongs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
bookishevy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧
I enjoyed The Murder of Roger Ackroyd so much that I downloaded a few more Agatha Christie books on Audible. All narrated by the talented Richard Armitage. This is Christie's debut novel and the first to feature eccentric Belgian detective Hercule Poirot.
Poirot, a WWI refugee, settles in England near Styles Court, the country estate of the wealthy, elderly Emily Inglethorp, who helped him get settled. When authorities are baffled by Emily's poisoning, Poirot puts his herculean sleuthing skills (see what I did there?) to work. Suspects include Emily's much younger husband Alfred, John and Lawrence, her resentful stepsons from her first husband's previous marriage, her longtime hired companion Evelyn, John's wife Mary, Dorca the maid, Cynthia, a young family friend working as a nurse in a nearby dispensary, and Dr. Bauerstein, a poison expert from London who just happens to be visiting a nearby village. So many suspects, so many secrets, red herrings, and plot twists that Poirot must outwit to find Emily's killer.
This story, like Roger Ackroyd's, explores how money complicates relationships. It is narrated by Arthur Hastings, a friend of Poirot who is a guest at Styles Court while on sick leave from the Western Front. Christie wrote this during the Great War. Hercule Poirot was inspired by her work as a nurse, helping Belgian soldiers and refugees. Poirot's life as a refugee is touched upon.
I enjoyed this read. I suspected who the mastermind was, but the accomplice had me like #IKYFL Christie doesn't make it easy to stick with your first choice. I appreciate the wrenches she throws into the story to shake readers off the killer's scent and keep us guessing. That's why she's the queen of mystery.
TW: Antisemitism
I enjoyed The Murder of Roger Ackroyd so much that I downloaded a few more Agatha Christie books on Audible. All narrated by the talented Richard Armitage. This is Christie's debut novel and the first to feature eccentric Belgian detective Hercule Poirot.
Poirot, a WWI refugee, settles in England near Styles Court, the country estate of the wealthy, elderly Emily Inglethorp, who helped him get settled. When authorities are baffled by Emily's poisoning, Poirot puts his herculean sleuthing skills (see what I did there?) to work. Suspects include Emily's much younger husband Alfred, John and Lawrence, her resentful stepsons from her first husband's previous marriage, her longtime hired companion Evelyn, John's wife Mary, Dorca the maid, Cynthia, a young family friend working as a nurse in a nearby dispensary, and Dr. Bauerstein, a poison expert from London who just happens to be visiting a nearby village. So many suspects, so many secrets, red herrings, and plot twists that Poirot must outwit to find Emily's killer.
This story, like Roger Ackroyd's, explores how money complicates relationships. It is narrated by Arthur Hastings, a friend of Poirot who is a guest at Styles Court while on sick leave from the Western Front. Christie wrote this during the Great War. Hercule Poirot was inspired by her work as a nurse, helping Belgian soldiers and refugees. Poirot's life as a refugee is touched upon.
I enjoyed this read. I suspected who the mastermind was, but the accomplice had me like #IKYFL Christie doesn't make it easy to stick with your first choice. I appreciate the wrenches she throws into the story to shake readers off the killer's scent and keep us guessing. That's why she's the queen of mystery.
TW: Antisemitism
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Antisemitism
turidt's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Death, Murder, and Classism
Minor: War
silverthorn's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Minor: Racism, Antisemitism, and Cultural appropriation
edwardian_girl_next_door's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
My umpteenth read of this particular Christie (for my wip retelling it from Mary Cavendish's point of view!). A rollicking read on the surface, the flaws appear upon closer inspection -- too many red herrings, too many side plots, too many coincidences and pieces of convenient timing. (The forward in my edition notes that, despite this, Christie went on to master the art of false clues, and I'm inclined to agree.) The influence of Sherlock Holmes is particularly marked as Christie tries to find her own voice in the genre; Hastings fits Dr. Watson almost to a tee, from his veteran status to his overall rather clueless demeanor. This novel also introduces archetypes which Christie continued to use in her later writing, such as "the wealthy old matriarch" and "the proud, aloof, and deeply emotional woman character." On top of that, it provides a fascinating glimpse into WWI England, a world engulfed in ration cards, spies, convalescent homes, and Red Cross charity fêtes. With all its quirks, it's a book near and dear to my heart, and a must-read for anyone interested in Christie or the cosy mystery genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity and Medical content
Minor: Incest, Racial slurs, Sexism, and Antisemitism
sappypatheticm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug abuse, Antisemitism, and War
thatchickengirl23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: War
sarah_zaffiro's review against another edition
Christie’s work, although well-written, is often littered with racial slurs & casual racism. I’ve never come across the n-word in her work until I started reading this book though. I’m not going to read anything else of hers at this point. very disappointing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Racial slurs
Moderate: Racism and Murder
Minor: Fatphobia
kasialipa's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Drug use and Infidelity
Minor: War
averageawkwardasian's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Audiobook version published by HarperAudio. Narrated by Hugh Fraser
My first book into the series as I plan to complete the Poirot books in order. Full of turns and twists. Very easy to read through. Narration is delightful.
Unlikely to be the most memorable or my favorite out of the series down the road, but still a very entertaining start to the journey.
My first book into the series as I plan to complete the Poirot books in order. Full of turns and twists. Very easy to read through. Narration is delightful.
Unlikely to be the most memorable or my favorite out of the series down the road, but still a very entertaining start to the journey.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Death and Infidelity