The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926)

by Agatha Christie
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926) cover
Good Books rating 4.75
Mystery
Technical
  • ID: 226
  • Added: 2025-09-04
  • Updated: 2025-09-04
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
reddit.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
brilliant 5.00

The reviewer initially doubted the book's reputation but found it to be a standout in Agatha Christie's canon. The ending is particularly praised for its unexpected twist and clever execution, making it a 5-star read.

The reviewer approached 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' with skepticism, given its inclusion in a prestigious list of must-read books, but was pleasantly surprised. They highlight the book's exceptional ending, which they describe as a masterful twist that defies prediction. The reviewer appreciates Hercule Poirot's character, finding him charming and engaging. They also note that the book's brilliance lies in its ability to hide clues in plain sight, making the revelation of the murderer both shocking and satisfying. Overall, the reviewer highly recommends this book, especially for those new to Christie's work.

Quick quotes

    I think the List is right on this one.

    The ending (which I will not discuss in explicit detail for fear of spoilers) is what makes this a 5-star book.

    He is silly and self-centered and ridiculous and funny and all I want to do is pinch his cheeks and then go sit in a cafe with him and eat croissants.

graciado.com · Unknown · 2025-03-21
brilliant 5.00

The reviewer praises 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' as a groundbreaking mystery novel with a shocking twist, highlighting its innovative narrative structure and self-awareness. They appreciate the novel's challenge to traditional detective fiction and its exploration of trust and suspicion.

The reviewer is highly impressed with 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,' considering it one of Agatha Christie's most innovative works. They appreciate how the novel challenges the reader's expectations and subverts traditional mystery tropes, particularly through its self-aware narrative and the use of an unreliable narrator. The reviewer also highlights the novel's exploration of themes like trust and suspicion, making it a standout in the genre. The detailed character dynamics and the intricate plot, including the shocking twist, are particularly praised. The reviewer also notes the novel's postmodern elements, comparing it to works like 'Don Quixote'. Overall, they find the novel to be a revolutionary piece that broadened the boundaries of murder-mystery fiction.

Quick quotes

    They’ve just found Roger Ackroyd murdered” (45).

    The essence of a detective story,’ I said, ‘is to have a rare poison — if possible something from South America, that nobody has ever heard of — something that one obscure tribe of savages use to poison their arrows with. Death is instantaneous, and Western science is powerless to detect it…’ (14-15).

    I know the murderer of Mr. Ackroyd is in this room now. It is to the murderer I speak. Tomorrow the truth goes to Inspector Raglan. You understand?” (269).

greatbooksguy.com · Unknown · 2024-07-08
enjoyable 4.50

The reviewer enjoyed Agatha Christie's 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' on their first read, giving it a 5/5 rating. On a re-read, they appreciated the intricate plot and clues more but felt the narrative voice was restrictive and lacked thematic detail. They also noted the excellent character of Caroline Sheppard and found the book less captivating than before.

The reviewer initially loved 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' and rated it highly, but on a re-read, their enthusiasm waned slightly. They found the plot more intricate and appreciated the clever clues Christie included, especially on a second reading. However, they felt the narrative voice, while skillful, was restrictive and lacked the usual thematic depth and character development found in other Christie novels. The character of Caroline Sheppard stood out as particularly well-depicted, and the reviewer enjoyed the comedic elements involving her and Poirot. The book's famous twist and the unreliable narrator were discussed in depth, with the reviewer noting how it challenges readers' expectations and interpretations. Overall, while they still enjoy the book, it didn't captivate them as much as it did on the first read.

Quick quotes

    The narrative voice is wonderfully slippery, and it is deceptive and fair in equal measure.

    I don’t dislike this classic, but I am less enamoured with it than I was.

    Caroline Sheppard is the best depicted character in the book, which is not surprising given that Christie said she was her ‘favourite character in the book’.

langblog.englishplus.com · Unknown · 2022-06-29
excellent 4.50

The reviewer highly praises 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,' highlighting its innovative use of an unreliable narrator and Poirot's moral complexities. They found the plot engaging and enjoyable, with a strong connection to historical criminology.

The reviewer enjoyed 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' immensely, noting its innovative use of an unreliable narrator and Poirot's moral ambiguities. They appreciated the pacy plot and Poirot's occasional discomfort with English customs, which added to the charm. The reviewer also found the connection to historical criminology, particularly the 1876 poisoning of Charles Bravo, fascinating. They mentioned that the book was a joy to read and would likely be enjoyable to revisit. The reviewer has a vague memory of seeing the David Suchet TV adaptation but has not explored other adaptations.

Quick quotes

    The plot is pacy, Poirot (and his occasional discomfort with the English) amusing, and there are some excellent moments of tension.

    Fascinating too, for me, as an early Christie novel, is its connection to criminological history, particularly the 1876 poisoning of Charles Bravo.

    I have a vague sense that I have once seen the David Suchet TV adaptation of this, and recall a young Jamie Bamber’s turn as the young hot-head, but have not seen the various film and theatre alternatives.

Appears in Lists