Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Publisher: HarperCollins UK
Date: 2013 (1934)
Genre: Crime & Mystery
Summary: This title finds the Orient Express stopped in its tracks. The luxurious train set of with a full passenger list but by the morning there was one fewer. An American lay dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. With tension mounting, detective Hercule Poirot comes up with two solutions to the crime.
Mar 19, 2025, 21:57 IST
Hercule Poirot boards the Orient Express, a prestigious train traveling from Istanbul to London. During the journey, an American businessman, Samuel Ratchett, is found murdered in his compartment—stabbed multiple times. However, the crime is baffling:
The compartment was locked from the inside.
There are conflicting clues and testimonies.
The train is stuck in a snowstorm, meaning the murderer is still aboard.
Poirot begins his meticulous investigation, interviewing passengers from various backgrounds. As the mystery unfolds, shocking revelations emerge, leading to a brilliant and unexpected climax.
Themes and Writing Style
Agatha Christie expertly weaves themes of justice, revenge, and morality into the narrative. The novel explores:
Moral dilemmas: What constitutes justice when the legal system fails?
Human psychology: The passengers' behavior and motivations add layers of depth.
Clever misdirection: Christie plants clues and red herrings, keeping readers guessing until the end.
Her writing is crisp, engaging, and suspenseful, making the novel a quick yet immersive read.
Pros & Cons
✅ Brilliantly constructed mystery with a satisfying resolution
✅ Memorable characters, each with a distinct personality and motive
✅ Fast-paced and tightly woven narrative that keeps readers engaged
❌ Some may find the ending improbable, but it adds to the novel’s uniqueness
❌ A large cast of characters can be overwhelming initially
Final Verdict
Murder on the Orient Express is a timeless masterpiece of crime fiction. With its intricate plot, surprising twists, and psychological depth, it remains one of Agatha Christie’s greatest works. If you love classic whodunits and intellectual puzzles, this book is a must-read.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)