Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (novel #184)

très excellent!

This was my first read in Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot series.

 

Though I agree with my daughter, and must reluctantly assert that this is one of those rare instances where the film is better than the book.

 

It is about murder on a train – the Orient Express of course. As luck or providence should have it, the great Belgian detective happens to be on board, and the situation is further intensified, when the train is stuck in the snow, at some remote spot for several days, meaning no local authorities to investigate. Poirot is engaged by the director of the line to solve the embarrassing murder, which would seem a simple case: there are limited possible suspects, and no means of escape.

 

But of course, it is not simple, and even when Poirot solves “who done it” or qui l'a fait, it is still not so simple.

 

It is one of those maddening dilemmas wherein justice is not served by the law, and the law must be delicately ignored for true justice. This is the part that the recent film does much more artfully than the book. 

 

But the book is still très bien. I will definitely read more by Agatha Christie and more of Hercule Poirot.

 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

 

 

This book satisfies a travel or adventure classic in the Back to the Classics Challenge 2021 challenge.

 

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