The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie

14^th April 2023.

This is another original and imaginative mystery featuring Hercule Poirot. When Ruth Kettering, the daughter of an American millionaire is murdered on the Blue Train, travelling to Nice in France, Poirot is also on board. He soon offers his assistance to the French police. They soon identify a number of potential suspects.

In his usual methodical way, Poirot employs his little grey cells, probing and questioning a number of people on the French Riviera. Ruth’s estranged husband, who has been having an affair with a dancer, is soon questioned and ultimately arrested. Poirot’s not convinced, but struggles to get a lead and evidence to identify the real killer.

The story begins by revealing many of the characters who will feature in the investigation that follows the murder. The investigation for the most part is intriguing as one by one the suspects fall away thanks to lies, alibis and misdirection. The story fades a little towards the end until Poirot’s persistence leads to an unexpected breakthrough.

Once again, the story shows the depth and breadth of Agatha Christie’s imagination and ability to misdirect readers before delivering the final twist that leads to the unmasking of the killer.

Description

The daughter of an American millionaire dies on a train en route for Nice…

When the luxurious Blue Train arrives at Nice, a guard attempts to wake serene Ruth Kettering from her slumbers. But she will never wake again – for a heavy blow has killed her, disfiguring her features almost beyond recognition. What is more, her precious rubies are missing.

The prime suspect is Ruth’s estranged husband, Derek. Yet Poirot is not convinced, so he stages an eerie re-enactment of the journey, complete with the murderer on board…