Saturday, June 15, 2024

The A.B.C. Murders - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie

Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)
Source:   Purchased

Description:  When Alice Asher is murdered in Andover, Hercule Poirot is already looking into the clues. Alphabetically speaking, it's one letter down, twenty-five to go.

There's a serial killer on the loose. His macabre calling card is to leave the ABC Railway Guide beside each victim's body. But if A is for Alice Asher, bludgeoned to death in Andover, and B is for Betty Bernard, strangled with her belt on the beach at Bexhill, who will then be Victim C? More importantly, why is this happening?

Often considered to be one of Agatha Christie's best.


Genre:  Mystery - Classic 

Why I Picked This Book:  This was the May read for the Read Christie challenge.

My Impression:   This is probably one of Christie's most famous mysteries and it's one I always enjoy revisiting.  I love that in addition to Poirot, Hastings, and collection of Law Enforcement there is also a team of family members who get involved to help figure out just what is going on.  I really enjoy the variety of personalities and experiences all with Poirot's supervision.

The premise is an intriguing one.  Right from the start something feels off to Poirot and he is determined to solve the series of murders all and he is the only one to realize that all might not be as it seems.  This is definitely one of Christie's most famous books with one of the more unique premises but I can't say it's one of my favorites.  There's something about the ending that just falls a bit flat for me and keeps this one from being a 5 star read.    It's still a fantastic mystery that I always enjoy.  

The June Read Christie read is: And Then There Were None

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Of course!  Christie is one of my favorites and I'm already looking forward to the June book.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy mysteries I definitely recommend this book and really just about anything by Christie for that matter.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

7 comments:

  1. I'm listening to Christie's A Caribbean Mystery right now, set on an island called St. Honore, fictional of course. Can't wait for the mystery murder to pop up.

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  2. I need to get back to my Christie reading. I've read almost everything like many years ago. I'd like to read them again on audio versions I've been purchasing.

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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  3. I knew you'd love a Christie! That is a perfect book challenge for you :-)

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  4. I love your love of Agatha Christie and your wide knowledge of her books.

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  5. This is a good one — classic Christie as you say. I love the puzzle, but agree that there's just something about it that keeps it from being a 5-star favorite. That said, I do revisit it every 5-10 years!

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  6. Sounds like a good one. I don't think I read this one before.

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