2017 May 26
In the village of King’s Abbot, a widow’s sudden suicide sparks rumours that she murdered her first husband, was being blackmailed and was carrying on a secret affair with the wealthy Roger Ackroyd. The following evening, Ackroyd is murdered in his locked study–but not before receiving a letter identifying the widow’s blackmailer. King’s Abbot is crawling with suspects, including a nervous butler, Ackroyd’s wayward stepson, and his sister-in-law, Mrs. Cecil Ackroyd, who has taken up residence in the victim’s home. It’s now up to the famous detective Hercule Poirot, who has retired to King’s Abbot to garden, to solve the case of who killed Roger Ackroyd–a task in which he is aided by the village doctor and narrator, James Sheppard, and by Sheppard’s ingenious sister, Caroline.
Widely acknowledged as one of Agatha Christie’s best mystery novels, ‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd’ was originally published in 1926 and set the tone for the modern era of detective and mystery novels. It is a compelling, ingenious and classic whodunit, with a brilliant twist. In fact, the classic revelation towards the end is shocking even to the most experienced readers, who think they’ve read it all!
If you’re looking to lose yourself in a classic mystery novel, this is a must-read. It is truly one of Agatha Christie’s most cleverly written books, and will undoubtedly compel you to read it again immediately upon completion. Every new development within the book reveals intricate layers upon layers of the mystery, eventually uncovering the truth. The novel is truly a testament to Christie’s skills as a writer, with an ending which will leave you in disbelief, and proof that her mystery novels are indeed timeless. ‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd’ is a great place to begin if you plan on reading mystery or Agatha Christie novels. It is a comparatively less lengthy read and will grab your attention throughout.
Rating: 4.6/5
