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.