Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot)

Title: Murder on the Orient Express

Series: Hercule Poirot (#10)

Year: 1933

Author: Agatha Christie

Summary: One of Agatha Christie’s most famous mysteries, Murder on the Orient Express was inspired by two real-life crimes and the author’s own experience being stranded on the Orient Express during Christmas of 1931. While traveling to Paris, a wealthy American is stabbed to death in his cabin on the Orient Express. With the train stuck in a snowdrift, there is no easy escape for the killer. Fortunately, detective Hercule Poirot is aboard and launches a clever investigation into the curious assortment of passengers, of whom each seems to have a motive. (from Goodreads)

Main Characters: 
~ Hercule Poirot 

Review: To be completely honest, it took me years to get around to actually reading this book (which I can blame on the long time it took me to hunt down a copy of the book). I'm a new-ish fan of Agatha Christie, muchly provoked to read her works by one of my best friends. And yes *ahem* I say provoked. But Agatha Christie is well worth the read, provoked or not. However, I began reading this book with a complete knowledge of how it ended (i.e. who the murderer was). Thank you, creative writing teacher first semester. Despite knowing the outcome, I was eager to see *how* everything wove together.

I was not disappointed. 

It was amazing. 

I've always loved mystery novels, but for the most part, my experience with them has been limited to Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and Bobbsey Twins (Boxcar Children really don't count). Sherlock Holmes didn't enter my life until high school. I didn't even know Agatha Christie existed until after I'd turned 20. I didn't realize how much I'd missed until one of my sisters gave me an Agatha Christie novel for Christmas. Murder on the Orient Express is my third AC novel (but my second Hercule Poirot), and it was thoroughly and absolutely amazing.

I won't say much about the story itself as it is hard to write a summary without giving too much away, but I will say that this definitely deserves the reputation it has garnered. A classic mystery, classic Agatha Christie, classic everything. I'll stop fangirling now. But I really want to go read more of her novels now. If you're any fan of mystery, read this book. If you're any fan of Agatha Christie, read this book. If you're any fan of classic and clever stories, read this book. You won't be disappointed. 

Hercule Poirot is a fantabulous detective, and I loved following him about as much as I've loved following Sherlock Holmes. While Murder on the Orient Express is the tenth book Agatha Christie penned about him, you don't necessarily need to read the previous nine books to understand what's going on. This novel stands completely on its own, so make sure you go read it.  

Advisory: Some typical murder mystery details of dead bodies and whatnot. Nothing alarming to report. Also, if my memory serves me correctly, there may have been a choice word or two to watch out for. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars