When the Edgerton Book Ends (book group at Edgerton Neighborhood Library) asked for a classic and a mystery, the selection was clear – a mystery by Agatha Christie. The book group is large in size, so I looked for a Book Club to Go Kit to make sure that I would have enough copies and that is how The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was selected. I was not familiar with this particular Hercule Poirot mystery, but I was sure that Dame Agatha would not let me down.
The mystery is set in a fictional village of King’s Abbott, where the famous detective Hercule Poirot retired to live quietly and garden. Nevertheless, he is asked to investigate the death of the wealthy Roger Ackroyd who was murdered in his locked study after receiving a letter identifying the blackmailer of his fiancée Mrs. Ferrars. She had died from an overdose of sleeping pills the night before. The mystery is told from the point of view of a country doctor, James Sheppard, who helps Poirot investigate the murder and documents the case. There are many questions to be answered and lots of suspects who all have something to hide.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is one of Christie’s early mysteries, it was first published in 1926, but it definitely stands the test of time. Even though I generally prefer Miss Marple over Hercule Poirot, this novel is well written and has a clever twist at the end. The characters are well drawn, especially the character of narrator’s older unwed gossip-loving sister Caroline Sheppard, who was later acknowledged by Christie in her autobiography as a possible precursor to her famous detective Miss Marple.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is considered a Must Read by the official Agatha Christie website. It was well received by the Edgerton Book Ends and generated a good discussion. Although it is not my personal favorite Poirot mystery, it is an enjoyable and fast paced read. I recommend it to all mystery lovers.