Reviews with content warning for Suicide - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

There’s a reason this is a classic.

For those who don’t know the twist- there can’t be many of you, this is a fantastic detective book. For those who do this is an incredible piece of art that plays with word choice.

I knew the twist, and this is actually a reread (but it was so long ago I read it I’ve decided just to mark it as read once) and I was astounded by how clever the wording was. Certain phrases that have a double meaning depending on if you know the ending, I think this is a rare book, in that you can enjoy it regardless of if you know how it ends.

Highly recommend!

Content Warnings

emeraldsanto's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie is a classic whodunit that showcases the author's mastery of the mystery genre. Set in a quiet English village, the story unfolds after the murder of the wealthy and enigmatic Roger Ackroyd. The narrative is presented from the perspective of Dr. James Sheppard, a reliable and observant narrator who becomes intricately involved in the investigation.

One of the notable strengths of this novel is its construction. Agatha Christie weaves a carefully crafted plot, full of intricate details and red herrings that keep readers guessing until the very end. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the suspense to build gradually, and the twists and turns are cleverly executed. Christie's attention to detail is commendable, and her ability to create a closed-circle mystery in a seemingly idyllic setting is truly remarkable.

However, I did not find the book as exciting as I had hoped. While the story is well-constructed, some readers may find the pacing a bit slow at times, especially if they are seeking a more action-packed or adrenaline-fueled thriller. The murder investigation primarily unfolds through conversations and interviews, which may not offer the same level of excitement as more dynamic plot developments.

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tinygoldfox's review against another edition

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funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Absolutely floored me with the ending, did not see it coming at all and it was astounding!

The writing is easy to read and funny, I can see why Agatha Christie is still the world's best selling author! Nearly 100 years since this book was first published and it still hits home.

AMAZING!

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risemini's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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bringmybooks's review against another edition

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challenging funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I love Agatha Christie, and I really really liked this book - but even though it gets 5 stars from me (I really did like it!!), I also feel just the slightest bit let down.

B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷

I think this is a result of being told for years upon years upon years upon years that this is the best mystery novel ever written, that it is Christie at her penultimate, that this book is the absolute bedrock upon which so many others have followed.

It was rather a weird way to feel upon finishing, because I genuinely loved it (also, this was my first Poirot!) and I thought the last two pages were BRILLIANT - but I was also left with a bit of, “Yeah, I mean, that was wild but … also?”

It definitely makes me want to read up more on the history of these sorts of novels and just how much of an impact Roger Ackroyd made on other books that followed because I would really like to better understand the cultural impact.

OKAY BUT - all of that being said: Should you read it? YES.

If you want to read this so that you can cross it off your list, I think a library borrow would be totally reasonable.

However, if you’re planning on reading more than just this one in the Poirot series, buy it so that all of your editions match and are beautiful!

(I’m looking at the Vintage reprints myself: ISBN 9780593466360 for TMORA).

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