Review: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
If you are closely following my social media updates, you will know that I am reading all Agatha Christie’s books about Poirot chronologically as recommended by the website dedicated to AC. If you are interested, this is the link for the Suggested Reading Order of Christie’s Poirot Novels.
Some facts about The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (hereinafter referred to as TMRA):
TMRA is Agatha Christie’s third full length novel.
Apparently, it is listed on the list of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (surprise, surprise, surprise).
Also, TMRA is at fifth place in The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time.
Every Holmes must have his Watson. Here, Hastings is being replaced by Dr Sheppard, who is the narrator of this story.
If you are planning on reading this novel, the best way is to go in completely blind; without reading reviews (EXCEPT for my review lol), articles or anything about it.
Nothing much can be discussed without dropping spoilers. So, I am going to talk about my reading experience throughout this book.
Huge reason as to why I am giving this book 5 stars is because of its ending. When the reveal happened, I just gasped so loudly. I was so positive as to who will be the culprit and when the murderer is revealed, I JUST CAN’T BELIEVE IT.
Even after reading the murderer’s point of view, I remained perplexed…bewildered…it was like my mind was thrown off balance. In short, I was mindblown.
I referred to the short notes I made and all the points I made clearly pointed towards the murderer all the time, I failed to see it. I guess, this is a proof of Christie’s skills as an author. She brings your attention to things that were not that important after all so as to ‘deceive’ you or ‘numbing’ your instinct; making you to doubt your intelligence and decision.
I want to be correct so badly, especially after reading a few Christie’s books. I thought I got a grip. No chance in hell.
The surprise is excellent. Don’t we all live for this kind of stories? To me, the ending is unprecedented. I still am very much gobsmacked when I am writing this. In fact, the ending made my day, I literally am smiling from ear to ear because I have not read such great book in a while.
Not forgetting that, there was the Mah Jong scene. ISN’T AGATHA CHRISTIE THE BEST?!?! She knows about Mah Jong!!!!!!
To sum up my review, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a tour de force. This book deserves my sparkling 5 stars.
“The truth, however ugly in itself, is always curious and beautiful to the seeker after it.”
- Hercule Poirot
P/S: If you have not read any books by Agatha Christie and you intend to join the club, I suggest you, start by reading this or Murder on The Orient Express.
