Books that Hook: Murder on the Orient Express

Books that Hook

By Kalie Chamberlain

Our senior book reviews are written with the understanding that mature, sensible, premium-aged people may not want the bother of searching for well-written, sleaze-free reading materials—that’s why we’ve done the searching for you. We hope you enjoy this month’s pick.

This Month’s Fiction Selection: Murder on the Orient Express

Author: Agatha Christie

Publisher: Harper

Length: 264 pages

Crime follows Hercule Poirot wherever he goes. Traveling from the Middle East to London via the Orient Express, he is approached by a fellow passenger, a Mr. Ratchett, who wishes to hire Poirot. “I have an enemy. My life is in danger,” he explains. Although he offers Poirot an enormous sum, Poirot declines to become involved with Mr. Ratchett’s mystery: there is something in Mr. Ratchett that Poirot does not trust.

But Mr. Ratchett’s unnamed enemy does not wait long. Two days into the journey, Poirot is called upon to investigate when the train’s conductor discovers Mr. Ratchett murdered in the apartment adjacent to Poirot’s. Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately?) for the world-famous detective, the train has become snowbound between stations during the night, leading him to only one conclusion: the murderer is still on the train.

In perfect Christie fashion, the investigation begins. First, Poirot examines the scene of the crime. It seems deliberately staged, leading him to suspect that the killer intended to mislead him. The train’s doctor also raises serious questions about the manner of death. Since Poirot has no forensic or historical evidence at hand, stranded as the train is, he instead interviews and takes evidence from the twelve passengers aboard the train—an eclectic collection of all ages, nationalities, and social classes, none of whom immediately appear to have a motive. Finally, Poirot sits back and thinks. Methodically, he arranges in his mind the evidence and searches for answers to questions that remain in his case. Then in his manner, he reveals his conclusion, which “his little grey cells” have devised.

The exciting premise and surprising conclusion of the novel has been parodied and referenced in pop culture numerous times. It also formed the basis for the classic 1974 film version of Murder on the Orient Express, considered by many to be one of the most faithful and successful film adaptations of Christie’s work. The all-star cast included Albert Finney, Vanessa Redgrave, Sean Connery, and Lauren Bacall.

Aptly named the Queen of Mystery, Agatha Christie is the most widely published author of all time. The author of more than 100 works of fiction, her characters—particularly the fussy Belgian detective Hercule Poirot—are known and beloved to mystery fans everywhere. Like all of Christie’s very best works, Murder on the Orient Express keeps readers guessing until the very end. Filled with tension, realism, humor, and crime, this Christie classic is unforgettable.

You can borrow Murder on the Orient Express from your local library. Purchase it from a local bookseller or at www.amazon.com. Also available in e-book and audio book format.