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A review by what_heather_loves
The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie
mysterious
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? No
5.0
"'Consider when a man or woman is killed, what are the questions that the police ask? Opportunity. Where everybody was at the time of the crime? Motive. Who be edited by the deceased' s death? If the motive and the opportunity was fairly obvious, what is a would-be murdered to do? Fake an alibi...But that is always a hazardous proceeding. Our murdered thought of a more fantastic defence. Create a homicidal murderer!'"
Belgian private detective, Hercule Poirot, living in London in the present day (mid-1930s, when the book was written), receives a letter from 'A.B.C' warning him of a crime that will soon take place. Sure enough a Mrs Alice Ascher is soon found murdered in Andover on the date promised. Following the arrival of a second letter and death (Elizabeth 'Betty' Barnard of Bexhill) Poirot, friend, Captain Arthur Hastings and police Chief Inspector Japp work together to catch the serial killer. In each murder, which takes place around the counties of Hampshire, Sussex and Devon, an ABC Rail Guide is left beside the victim. Will Poirot uncover the identity of the mysterious A.B.C. before he works his way through the alphabet?
An ingenious work of detective fiction, it is particularly impressive in its plotting, which I won't spoil. As is often the case with Christie's works, everything is not as it seems, which only fussy but observant and logical, Poirot can see. Whilst I knew the premise of the crimes, having watched television adaptations, I remember being surprised by the outcome. Thoroughly enjoyable, I read this in a day stuck inside during Storm Eunice.
Belgian private detective, Hercule Poirot, living in London in the present day (mid-1930s, when the book was written), receives a letter from 'A.B.C' warning him of a crime that will soon take place. Sure enough a Mrs Alice Ascher is soon found murdered in Andover on the date promised. Following the arrival of a second letter and death (Elizabeth 'Betty' Barnard of Bexhill) Poirot, friend, Captain Arthur Hastings and police Chief Inspector Japp work together to catch the serial killer. In each murder, which takes place around the counties of Hampshire, Sussex and Devon, an ABC Rail Guide is left beside the victim. Will Poirot uncover the identity of the mysterious A.B.C. before he works his way through the alphabet?
An ingenious work of detective fiction, it is particularly impressive in its plotting, which I won't spoil. As is often the case with Christie's works, everything is not as it seems, which only fussy but observant and logical, Poirot can see. Whilst I knew the premise of the crimes, having watched television adaptations, I remember being surprised by the outcome. Thoroughly enjoyable, I read this in a day stuck inside during Storm Eunice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Racism