How do I write about a great mystery story? How do I tell
you my favorite parts and what I figured out and what I didn’t figure out and
what completely surprised me without spoiling the whole story? Because, trust
me, I don’t want to spoil the story if you happen not to have read this one.
I will say that the setting and characters of
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd are
interesting and well-devised. Christie’s writing makes for fun reading even
before she sucks you into a seemingly impossible mystery. Hercule Poirot is his
usual pompously genius self and, despite the efforts of the intelligent and
observant narrator, it is only Poirot’s little gray cells that can solve this
complicated affair.
Of course, if you’ve ever read an Agatha Christie mystery
before, none of that is the least bit new. Such is pretty much the formula for
most of her stories. There are plenty of surprises in
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, however, with each character having
something to hide (as Poirot knew they would). Nearly everyone is a suspect
with the motive and means of doing away with the recently departed Ackroyd. Everyone
has a secret. Everyone lives a lie.
This is a delightful mystery, which is strange to say, since
it is loaded with so much of the worst of humanity: blackmail, poison, narcotic
addiction, theft, prejudice, lies, lies and more lies…not to mention the murder
itself. While I love the puzzles mystery stories present, I can overdose on all
the death and evil and filthiness of humanity if I read too many of them one
after the other. I was glad I took the time with this one, however, because it
not only keep my heart pounding and my fingers turning the pages, but also
satisfied my search for quality and uniqueness. I haven’t read a mystery quite
like this one, even a copycat, and I enjoyed the word choice, phrasing,
character development (concise as it must be) and dialogue as much as the
puzzle.
I’d love to discuss further how this story is unique and
interesting, but I’d be giving too much away! Much as it pains me to keep the
secret, you’ll get no spoilers here!
A Year (Plus) of Books I Should Have Read by Now
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