The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Recently I read Agatha Christie: a very elusive woman by Lucy Worsley in which the author discusses the life of the English crime writer, Agatha Christie, and also some of her works that made an impact on the writing of crime fiction. One title that kept being mentioned was The Murder of Roger Ackroyd which is the fourth book by Agatha Christie to feature the Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. The book was originally published in England in 1926 and has been constantly in print. It was also made into a play and film under the title of Alibi and has also featured in the television series, Poirot. The book has been published in many languages.

Dr Shepherd is asked by Flora Ackroyd to ask his neighbour, Hercule Poirot, to investigate the murder of her uncle, Roger Ackroyd. Her uncle had been found in a locked room where he had been stabbed.Witnesses had said that the window had been locked but evidence suggested that the killer had entered by the window. A short time before Ackroyd's murder the woman he loved had committed suicide. She was being black mailed about the death of her husband.

Everyone is a suspect but everyone appears to have an alibi. Dr Shepherd accompanies the detective as he investigates and keeps notes of what has been discovered. It proves to be an extremely confusing case, particulalrly when one young man disappears. It soon appears that everyone has a secret. During the investigation many previously hidden stories are revealed. There are lots of red herrings. But eventually Poirot solves the case.

Almost one hundred years after it was published, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a crime story worth reading.

The Body in the Library

Recently when watching Pointless, one of the answers on the board was The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie, a title that I knew well but hadn't read, so I borrowed a copy from the library. The book was first published in 1942 and features Miss Marple as one of the characters. Needless to say Miss Marple does solve the crime before the police work out who committed it.

Colonel and Mrs Bantry wake one morning to be told by their staff that there is a body of a young woman lying on the floor in their library. The police are immediately called and Dolly Bantry also contacts her friend, Miss Marple, for her assistance. There is a long list of suspects, especially when it is discovered that the victim had been befriended by Conway Jefferson who had ammended his will leaving her a large sum of money. Then the body of another young girl is found in a burned out car in a quarry. The police and Miss Marple work together to solve the mystery.

The Killings at Kingfisher Hill

This is the fourth in a series of books written by Sophie Hannah in the style of Agatha Christie with the main character being the famous Hercule Poirot. Poirot and Inspector Edward Catchpool (the narrator of the story) travel by bus to Kingfisher Hill, a country estate in Surrey, never suspecting that an unexpected invitation to the home of Richard Devonport will result in the need to solve a series of crimes.

Richard's brother Frank was murdered by his fiancee, Helen, who confessed to the crime and is currently in prison. But did she really commit the murder and if so, why? Complications arise when Richard's sister, Barbara, also confesses to having murdered Frank. 

On the bus trip Poirot and Catchpool meet two other passengers who leave the bus before they reach Kingfisher Hill. Who are these women and how does their behaviour affect the story? Then, who is the mystery woman who is found murdered in the Devonport house and who killed her? Many questions with answers to be uncovered by Poirot.

The pace of the book is slow, especially in the first half, as the plot and its mysteries are gradually revealed and eventually solved.