2011, among other things, was the year I discovered that I do actually like Agatha Christie, having read a few of her books in the past which I didn’t enjoy very much. I think I had obviously just been choosing the wrong books because I read five in 2011 and loved all but one of them (The Mystery of the Blue Train).
This one, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, is set in the fictional village of King’s Abbott, home to our narrator, Dr James Sheppard, and the retired detective Hercule Poirot. When Roger Ackroyd is found stabbed to death in his study, Poirot comes out of retirement to investigate the murder. The suspects include Ackroyd’s stepson, his secretary and butler, a big-game hunter and one of the parlourmaids. With Dr Sheppard’s assistance, Poirot begins to piece together the evidence to solve the mystery.
I loved this book and it might even have become my favourite Christie novel so far, if not for one little problem: I guessed the solution to the mystery very early in the story. Now, this is not something that usually happens – I’m normally completely mystified by Agatha Christie’s novels and don’t even bother trying to solve them. This is the first one I’ve ever figured out correctly, but it did mean that in some ways the book was spoiled for me. Not completely spoiled – it was still fun watching for more clues that would confirm whether I was right or not – but it would have been nice to have been surprised when the solution was finally revealed, as the author had intended.
As most Poirot novels are written either in the third person or narrated by Captain Hastings (who does not appear in this book) it took me a while to get used to the new narrator. It gave this book a slightly different feel to the other Poirots I’ve read. I also thought the characters had a bit more depth than usual and I loved the scenes with the doctor’s irritating gossip-loving sister, Caroline, who added some humour to the story. And even though the ending of the story didn’t have quite the impact for me that I would have liked it to have done, I could still appreciate how cleverly constructed the mystery was. There were plenty of suspects, all hiding secrets of their own, lots of red herrings and some plot twists. I’m looking forward to reading more Poirot throughout the year ahead!
She Reads Novels 
I have been re-discovering Agatha Christies as well, after I watched some of the recent Marple TV episodes (Geraldine McEwan was wonderful, but I prefer the books). I can remember the first time I read this book – I didn’t guess, and it came as a complete surprise.
I think I prefer Poirot to Miss Marple, but I’m planning to give Marple another chance this year too.
I actually prefer Tommy & Tuppence to both – but there are so many fewer books about them.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is considered to be a milestone in the genre of Crime Fiction. I knew the solution before I started to read the book (being the mystery fan that I am). But I still liked watching Poirot solve it.
I enjoyed watching Poirot solve the mystery too. I had guessed who the murderer was but not exactly how it was done, so there were still plenty of clues I had missed!
I love Agatha Christie novels when I want to read something that wont take me long. I usually change my mind about who the killer is, several times in the book. I think she was the author that is responsible for my love of crime fiction.
Most of them are very quick reads, aren’t they? I’m not a huge crime fiction fan but I’m really enjoying working through Agatha Christie’s novels!
Not one I have read but seen many times on the telly. I must endeavour to read some more Christie this year as well.
I haven’t seen this one but I’d be interested to see how it compares to the book.
I never guess who the murderer is! I almost want to read this to see if I can spot him (her?) myself. It would be a first!
I want to read more Christie this year after my recent pleasant experience with Poirot. I think I’ll read a Miss Marple next just to compare the two.
I don’t usually guess either, so I was suprised that I figured this one out! I hope you enjoy Miss Marple.
Oh! So there might be hope for me and Agatha yet: i should keep trying?!
It’s probably worth having another try. Good luck!