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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie is a classic whodunit that stands out among her impressive body of work. The story begins with Hercule Poirot (the thirteenth mystery featuring the famous detective) receiving mysterious, taunting letters from a killer who signs off as “A.B.C.” and challenges him to stop a string of murders the first of which is of a Mrs Ascher in Andover, then followed by a Betty Barnard in Bexhill-on-Sea. What follows is a brilliantly crafted puzzle that pulls the reader into a game of psychological cat-and-mouse.
Christie’s writing shines in this novel, with her signature mix of suspense, red herrings, and those “aha!” moments that fans of Poirot’s little gray cells will love. The plot unfolds at a steady pace, and the stakes feel higher than ever, with Poirot racing against time to catch the killer. The character of A.B.C. adds an intriguing and chilling complexity, while the side characters feel believable, each with their own layers of mystery.
Though some elements might feel a touch formulaic to readers familiar with Christie’s other works, The ABC Murders manages to remain fresh through its psychological depth and clever misdirection. The solution is satisfyingly surprising yet completely fair, and once again she fooled me, the reader.
Christie’s writing shines in this novel, with her signature mix of suspense, red herrings, and those “aha!” moments that fans of Poirot’s little gray cells will love. The plot unfolds at a steady pace, and the stakes feel higher than ever, with Poirot racing against time to catch the killer. The character of A.B.C. adds an intriguing and chilling complexity, while the side characters feel believable, each with their own layers of mystery.
Though some elements might feel a touch formulaic to readers familiar with Christie’s other works, The ABC Murders manages to remain fresh through its psychological depth and clever misdirection. The solution is satisfyingly surprising yet completely fair, and once again she fooled me, the reader.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
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:
No
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This was an alternative choice for May's #ReadChristie2025 readalong.
This is one of the Poirot stories that I have seen most often on the TV and so I was aware of the conclusion
The mystery is a gripping one as it involves the culprit communicating directly with Poirot and almost taunting him.
A battle of the brains ensues and Poirot enlists Hastings, Scotland Yard and the victims' families in order to thwart the ABC killer.
I loved the elements of the train timetable and also the almost self- referential nods to mystery novel elements.
A fun read and as always Poirot delivers!
This is one of the Poirot stories that I have seen most often on the TV and so I was aware of the conclusion
The mystery is a gripping one as it involves the culprit communicating directly with Poirot and almost taunting him.
A battle of the brains ensues and Poirot enlists Hastings, Scotland Yard and the victims' families in order to thwart the ABC killer.
I loved the elements of the train timetable and also the almost self- referential nods to mystery novel elements.
A fun read and as always Poirot delivers!
Feels a bit different than any other Poirot book I've read; more creepy and less cozy.