Murder on the Orient Express (Agatha Christie)

This is one of her best books. Keeps you guessing right through till the end.

It's been such a long time since I've read a mystery novel...so, either I was willing to be pulled in by this story (whether the plot sucked or not), or I found this "whodunit" really absorbing. Since I literally could not put this book down, I think I'm going to believe the latter. I have not watched the screen adaptation and am not interested to--the reading experience was more than enough...this was a very enjoyable snuggle-into-your-bed-and-read-till-the-late-hours-of-the-night mystery. Loved it!

This terrific mystery novel from 1934 defines the whodunit genre. For me, Christie builds on Doyle's Sherlock Holmes novels by introducing the culture and mores of the twentieth century, including nagging doubts about our own ability to discern right from wrong. Although one knows that Poirot, like Holmes, will crack the case, Poirot's flaws (vanity, unimposing stature, and lack of power to bring anyone to real justice) introduce some dramatic suspense. In addition, Christie uses the genre to explore the culture, manners, class tensions, and national rivalries of the day. The twist of this whodunit is remarkably clever and ties in well with some of the disillusionment of twentieth century man with the ability to tell right from wrong and with the limits of rationality. There is a wonderful irony to all this given Poirot's Holmes-like belief in reason. The novel is dated but reads very well. Great fun as well as containing literary merit.

When a murder is committed aboard the Orient Express, it is up to Hercule Poirot to find the culprit. Mr Poirot certainly has his work cut out for him. There are twelve suspects, but none seem to have a strong motive and most have an alibi. There is a major clue pointing to the identity of the murder in the beginning of the book. After finishing the novel I found myself laughing that I could have overlooked something so obvious. Nonetheless, it was an entertaining read. So many clues, so many suspects, yet Mr Poirot and the two men who assist him with the mystery, the doctor who examined the body and the director of train, come up with nothing but dead end theories until the end of the book. Truly genius!

All aboard the Orient Express for murder and mayhem. Keeps you guessing until the end when the jigsaw reveals itself! Thanks Agatha!! You kept me guessing to the end!

Ms. Christie had a clean, crisp writing style that suits this genre very well. There are no flowery prose to be found in-between the covers of this mystery. It has been over 30 years since I read 'Murder on the Orient Express' while in high school and I still clearly remember the unusual outcome. But despite knowing the surprise ending, revisiting this classic and observing Ms. Christie's remarkable ability to place clues and red-herrings throughout made me appreciate her talents even more. As usual, another great, entertaining read by a master of the whodunit.

Worse than most of Christie's contrived nonsense, this is one of the most implausable books in print. Someone should have told her that murderers do not commit crimes simply to provide a corpse to complete a puzzle.

I agree Agatha Christie is SOOOO boring... i tried to go through this book as much as i could, but ended up with a headache and got soooooooo bored after like the 2nd part. i hated it. don't say that its cuz i never read the whole thing, but books arnt good if it doesn't even capture the readers intrest at all in the beggining or througout the whole thing.

agatha christie is boring

This was one of her better ones. Well worth reading. A most unusual killer it turned out to be.

Loved this book, I thought the ending was great ans the suspense had my the whole time.

Hercule Poirot is the coolest character of Dame Christie's. One of these books in which everything clicks in place after you figure who did it. Great and fun for trying to hone observation and logic skills.

The best writer in the whole world. Recommended: Ten Little Indians.

Agatha Christie has an intense writing pattern and leaves the reader holding their breath until the last minute. Leaves them guessing every time.