The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

by Agatha Christie

Nigel Anthony (Narrator)

There are rumours she murdered her first husband, rumours that she was blackmailed, and rumours that her secret lover was Roger Ackroyd. When Ackroyd is found murdered it is unlucky for the killer that Hercule Poirot is close by.

Setting up the traditional rules of mystery only to shatter them, this ingeniously tricky masterpiece startled fans, polarised critics, and stunned the Detection Club, the highly esteemed literary organisation, of which Christie herself was a member. One of the most famous detective novels ever written, and certainly one of the most controversial, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was championed by Dorothy L Sayers who said, “Christie fooled you (all)… It’s the readers business to suspect everyone.”

And you will.

• ISBN10: 140503274X
• ISBN13: 9781405032742
• Publish Date: 18 July 2003 (first published 1 January 1926)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 15 June 2011
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: MacMillan Audio
• Edition: Unabridged edition
• Format: Audiobook
• Duration: 3 hours
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is the fourth Hercule Poirot mystery by Dame Agatha Christie. Originally published in 1926, this gift edition was released 25th Oct 2022 by Penguin Random House on their Pushkin Vertigo imprint. It's 156 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is one of the classics of crime literature and most readers who enjoy the genre can remember the delight of reading that shock twist ending. Now re-released in a new format with high quality production values and typesetting, I really enjoyed reading it again with "fresh eyes". I still enjoyed Poirot doing what he does so well, and as always, I noticed a few new details with every re-read. 

It's a well written subtle and beautifully engineered plot. The denouement and resolution are classics. At the time it was written, it was a shocking departure. If it seems less so now, it's because so many authors who have come after Christie have borrowed her twists and tricks. 

Five stars. Even for readers who have read it before, it makes a splendid re-read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

[clairelm]

Despite this being a controversial book at the time because of Agatha Christie's magnificent plot devices, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found the controversial bit to be the best bit!

[Aidan Brack (Mysteries Ahoy)]

Rightly considered a classic and one of Christie’s greatest achievements. Make sure you read it before the solution is spoiled for you.

Read my full review at Mysteries Ahoy!

Poirot was an extraordinary-looking little man. He was hardly more than five feet four inches, but carried himself with great dignity. His head was exactly the shape of an egg, and he always perched it a little on one side. His moustache was very stiff and military. The neatness of his attire was almost incredible; I believe a speck of dust would have caused him more pain than a bullet wound. Yet this quaint dandified little man who, I was sorry to see, now limped badly, had been in his time one of the most celebrated members of the Belgian police. As a detective, his flair had been extraordinary, and he had achieved triumphs by unravelling some of the most baffling cases of the day.

Christie, Agatha. Hercule Poirot 3-Book Collection 1: The Mysterious Affair at Styles, The Murder on the Links, Poirot Investigates (Kindle Locations 308-313). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.

I love Hercule Poirot. Such a great detective. Such a character. There's always a great mystery with lots of twists and turns and red herrings, all of which keep me riveted. The characters are interesting and have complex motives for their actions. I've read many Agatha Christie books before but not all and not in order so I'm in the process of commencing a reread. Highly recommend to crime lovers.


Mind. Blown.

I had to sit on this review for a few days to think about what to say because Mind. Blown. was literally all I could think to put down. I've managed to put my thoughts into some semblance of order now. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is amazing. It is epic, terrific, brilliant. I loved this book. I didn't see the twist coming. In any way shape or form and it's been awhile since I was so utterly blindsided by a mystery book. I loved it.

Plus Hastings is gone. I don't know why he's gone but I'm glad he is. I never really liked him afterall. I liked Dr James Sheppard though. I felt that he was a nice fit to play Watson to Poirot's Sherlock. I loved Caroline. She was bossy and observant and amusing.

This was just awesome. I can't wait to read more.

[MurderByDeath]

About 2/3 of the way through, I guessed who the murderer was. But still, an enjoyable story.