The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a classic detective novel by Agatha Christie, first published in 1926. It features her famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot.
The book is considered one of Christie's most ingenious works, renowned for its startling plot twist. Here's a breakdown of the story without revealing the twist:
- The setting is the peaceful English village of King's Abbot.
- A wealthy widow, Mrs. Ferrars, dies from an apparent drug overdose.
- Roger Ackroyd, a villager who was planning to marry Mrs. Ferrars, is devastated.
- Shortly after, Roger Ackroyd is himself murdered.
Intriguing elements of the novel include:
- Blackmail: Mrs. Ferrars was suspected of being involved in a blackmail scheme.
- Unreliable narrator: The story is narrated by Dr. James Sheppard, a villager who becomes entangled in the investigation.
- Hercule Poirot's return: This is one of the few Christie novels where Poirot comes out of retirement to solve a case.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd has been adapted for television and radio numerous times and is still considered a masterpiece of detective fiction.
Descriptions are sourced from publishers or third parties and are not independently verified
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