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286
Novel • Fiction
King's Abbot, England • 1920s
1926
Adult
13+ years
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie follows Dr. James Sheppard as he assists Hercule Poirot in investigating the murder of Roger Ackroyd, who was found stabbed in his locked study. The case reveals various secrets among the household and numerous suspects with potential motives, leading to a surprising and unique conclusion in the mystery genre.
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Dark
Challenging
Unnerving
Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is hailed for its masterful twist and innovative narrative technique, making it a classic in the detective fiction genre. However, some readers feel the surprise ending strains credulity. Despite this, the novel is widely celebrated for its clever plotting and impact on mystery storytelling.
Fans of intricate mysteries and classic whodunits will relish The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie. Ideal for readers who enjoy Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles and Dorothy L. Sayers' Whose Body?, this novel captivates with its clever twists and a famous, perplexing resolution.
Dr. James Sheppard
The novel's narrator and sidekick to Poirot, who provides a first-person account of the investigation, sharing similarities with Arthur Conan Doyle's Dr. Watson.
Caroline Sheppard
Dr. Sheppard's sister who relies on intuition and local knowledge, which significantly aids Poirot's investigation.
Roger Ackroyd
The victim of the murder around which the mystery revolves, sharing a past interest in uncovering blackmail against Mrs. Ferrars.
Mrs. Ackroyd
Roger Ackroyd’s sister-in-law, who acts as a caregiver for her niece Flora and remains a background character throughout most of the narrative.
Flora Ackroyd
Roger’s niece and the love interest of both Major Blunt and Ralph Paton, known for her role in unexpectedly driving parts of the investigation forward.
Major Hector Blunt
A guest at Ackroyd’s house and potential suspect whose connection with Flora encourages him to remain within society.
Geoffrey Raymond
Ackroyd’s reliable secretary who becomes involved in the investigation but plays a minor role in the story's development.
Miss Russell
A maid at Ackroyd's house with a secret concern, who briefly draws suspicion during the investigation.
Ursula Bourne, née Paton
A character tied to a key symbol in the mystery, providing crucial background information uncovered later in the story.
Ralph Paton
A frequently mentioned but physically absent character, whose whereabouts are central to the unfolding mystery.
Inspector Raglan
The local police inspector working on the case who contrasts with Poirot in his approach and methodology.
286
Novel • Fiction
King's Abbot, England • 1920s
1926
Adult
13+ years
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