Book Review: Murder on the Orient Express, by Agatha Christie

When a book is made into a movie, it gets a bit more noticed on the bookshelves too. I’ve heard of a few books only after seeing the movie. When the movie based on this book came out a couple of months back, I decided that this book has to be read. I only got around to reading it now.

Hercule Poirot catches the Taurus Express from Syria to Istanbul, hoping to rest for a while there. But on arriving at the Tokatlian Hotel, receives a telegram calling him to London. Though the Simplon-Orient Express is full (unusually so), Poirot gets a seat thanks to the intervention of M. Bouc, who is a director of the train line. On board, he is approached by Samuel Ratchett who reveals his life is in danger and wants to hire Poirot as his bodyguard. Poirot, having sensed an evil aura about Ratchett earlier, refuses. Later that night, the Orient Express runs into a snowdrift and is halted. When Poirot wakes up in the morning, M. Bouc informs him that Ratchett has been murdered, and asks him to investigate.

This was different. The murderer is on board the Orient Express, but no one can be sure who it is. M. Bouc suspects one for a reason, but Poirot doesn’t agree. The one Poirot suspects as the criminal is the one M. Bouc thinks could not have committed the murder. Dr. Constantine presents another theory to Poirot based on the wounds he examines. As the detective examines and pieces together the clues, interrogates the “suspects” on board, I tried to do the same too. I love Dame Christie’s mysteries, and have read many of them, but I still couldn’t guess the ending. To be frank, I was a bit disappointed with the ending, though I suppose it was justice in a way. As the pages turn, the character sketches get something added to them. I liked that. The book is very engaging, and I couldn’t put it down. The reason for the murder is also quite understandable. And for once I can say that the victim deserved it.

This will remain one of my favorite Agatha Christie books, though I’m a tad let down by the climax. Definitely one to reread.

Book Details
*Title:* Murder on the Orient Express	*Series:* Poirot #10
*Author(s):* Agatha Christie	*Genre:* Crime Fiction
*ISBN/ASIN:* 9780007282630	*Publisher:* Harper Collins

No payment was taken for this review. The views expressed here are mine, and they remain uninfluenced and unbiased.

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