Agatha Christie's Timeless Gems: 'The ABC Murder' and 'The murder
of roger ackroyd'
English book review
Agatha Christie's novels, 'The ABC Murders' and 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,' stand as enduring
jewels in 20th-century fiction. These two murder mysteries are masterfully crafted and captivate
readers with their intriguing plots and unexpected twists.
In 'The ABC Murders,' Christie delves into the chilling realm of a maniacal serial killer, turning murder
into a complicated and terrifying business. As the entire country falls into a state of panic, the killer is
growing more confident with each successive execution. On the other hand, ‘The murder of Roger
Ackroyd’ takes readers to a quaint village setting, where the death of wealthy Roger Ackroyd appears
to be suicide. The clever and smart detective Hercule Poirot starts an investigation but faces a
puzzling challenge: every suspect has a solid alibi. However, the true brilliance of the novel is not only
the secrets and manipulations that Poirot uncovers, but lies in the shocking twist that reveals the
identity of the true killer and exposes the involvement of the narrator, Dr. James Sheppard, the village
doctor.
'The ABC Murders' is structured around the letters sent by the killer to announce the various
murders, which are being committed in alphabetical order, as hinted by the title. This methodical
approach creates a sense of excitement and curiosity as readers attempt to understand the killer's
twisted motives and predict their next move.
While the characters in both books are well-crafted, one minor drawback is that the narrative is
predominantly presented from a single character's perspective. In 'The ABC Murders,' we see the
events through the eyes of Arthur Hastings, and in 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,' the perspective
belongs to Dr. James Sheppard. Although this choice adds a certain level of intimacy and allows for a
deep exploration of the narrator's thoughts and motivations, I think it limits the insights into the
inner thoughts and emotions of the other characters.
Nonetheless, Agatha Christie shows her talent for choosing the right words that aren't too hard to
understand but still create suspense and keeps the story’s engaging. Furthermore, the surprising twist
in 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' demonstrates Christie's exceptional ability to amaze readers and
give them a shocking moment that leaves them amazed.
In conclusion, Agatha Christie's novels 'The ABC Murders' and 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' are
timeless stories that continue to captivate readers with their exciting plots and unexpected
revelations. Despite the slight limitation of being mainly written from a single character's perspective,
the books are undeniably captivating and shows Christie's mastery in the genre. The strength of
Christie's storytelling, combined with her ability to craft intricate puzzles and deliver unexpected
twists, makes these books a must-read for any lover of murder mysteries.
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