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Book Review of Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach)

Murder on the Orient Express  (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach)
aaron19 avatar reviewed on + 8 more book reviews


This is one of Agatha Christie's most brilliant mysteries. Our favorite Belgian detective (Hercule Poirot) is traveling on the Orient Express when he is offered by Mr. Ratchett to protect him from some crazed killer. Poirot does not take the job because, as he tells Ratchett, "I do not like your face." However, Ratchett winds up murdered. It is up to Hercule Poirot to solve the mystery while the train is stuck in a snowdrift before the killer manages to escape. It is a twist on the "locked room" mystery becauser it takes place on a train, but the book is still a pleasure to read. Do not watch the 1974 movie until after reading the book. It wouldn't be much fun imagining Albert Finney trying to portray Poirot as you read, but the movie is just as brilliant as the book.