A review by kartrick
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

4.0

I started this book on a whim after having realised how much I miss Poirot. Coming straight off Inspector Morse, this book was entirely refreshing and I finished it in a breeze. I also realised just how different the two detectives (and authors) are. Poirot's cases have all the meticulous neatness and properness that he himself carries (with puffed chest), while Morse's cases are every bit as grungy as crude as the Inspector himself.

That aside, I enjoyed the story. I have no real qualms except for these:

Spoiler

(1) I didn't understand the patient leaving "a note" at another patient's, or the response: "no answer". (2) I didn't understand why Dr. Sheppard blackmailed her in the first place.

If not for these, I might have rated it 5 stars. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book and I feel that it is a testament to Christie's skills as a writer that she managed to wrap everything up and not leave a bad aftertaste in the reader's mouth,

Spoiler

given, you know the unique nature of this mystery

. I must say, I did start forming vague suspicions about the true murderer around halfway through the book, but then again I did the same for one or two others as well.