Community Reviews Summary of 4,288 reviews. Hercule Poirot: Fiction's Greatest Detective, Murder, She Said: The Quotable Miss Marple, Chronological list of Agatha Christie's works, Various villagers of St. Mary Mead (Kent), famous ten-day disappearance in the December of that year, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 1928, William Collins and Sons (London), 29 March 1928, Hardcover, 296 pp, 1928, Dodd Mead and Company (New York), 1928, Hardcover, 306 pp, 1932, William Collins and Sons, February 1932 (As part of the, 1940, Pocket Books (New York), Paperback, 276 pp, 1948, Penguin Books, Paperback, (Penguin number 691), 250 pp, 1954, Pan Books, Paperback (Pan number 284), 1956, Pocket Books (New York), Paperback, 194 pp. He does more investigating and learns more information, talking to his friends and to Katherine, eventually coming to the truth. It had its effect on her in the middle of wartime when, nervous that at some future point she might be in need of funds and need a fallback, she wrote Sleeping Murder and locked it securely in a bank vault for future publication. Pingback: The Month in Reviews: July 2022 | Bob on Books. He also says that the cigarette case with the "K" on it does not stand for Kettering, but Knighton. Yes he is never modest..but never so immodest as he is in this book. We're the largest independent bookstore in Texas. William Morrow Paperbacks. Pingback: Bob on Books Top Viewed Reviews of 2022 | Bob on Books. Marvel drops Loki through time to avoid the madness of the multiverse, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier bring the action back to the MCU, Wandavision - Marvel's REAL first TV show starts today on Disney+. Katherine says she saw Derek enter Ruth's compartment. It looks like you're offline. The police suspect that Ruth's lover, the Comte de la Roche, killed her and stole the ruby, but Poirot does not think that the Comte is guilty. The Mystery of the Blue Train - Wikipedia yet at 34 min 12 sec into film, he puts caviar on his 9 crackers, an odd number. Katherine, who is now being pursued by both Derek and Major Knighton is drawn into Poirots counsels. Additionally, Ruth's lover is travelling on the train with her, and they are both fleeing her husband. Agatha Christies most well-known train mystery is Murder on the Orient Express (1934). The Mystery of the Blue Train (1962-05 edition) | Open Library This dedication is a direct reference to the events of 1926 which included the death of Christie's mother on 5 April,[15] the breakdown of her marriage to Archibald Christie, and her famous ten-day disappearance in December that year. Another example would be Triangle at Rhodes - Evil under the Sun, or the whole book The Big Four is just a . Katherine saw what she thought was a boy getting off the train, but it was really Mason. Read more The Mystery of the Blue Train Summary - TV Calendar Then he meets Ruth Kettering. An interesting fact about this book is that there are several references to St. Mary Mead (Jane Marples village), but there is no mention of Marple herself. The Mystery of the Blue Train is a work of detective fiction by British writer Agatha Christie, first published in the United Kingdom by William Collins & Sons on 29 March 1928 and in the United States by Dodd, Mead and Company later in the same year. - Carlotta and Peter" also references this difficult time. The murderer would be the least suspected character, and if you were paying enough attention you could figure out how. Photography and infographics cannot be used without permission. Her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, written towards the end of the First World War, introduced us to Hercule Poirot, who was to become the most popular detective in crime fiction since Sherlock Holmes. 'Mystery Of the Blue Train by Christie, Agatha - Biblio The novel was televised in 2005 as a special episode of the series Agatha Christie's Poirot, and was aired by ITV on December 11 starring David Suchet as Poirot, Roger Lloyd Pack as Inspector Caux, James D'Arcy as Derek Ketterling, Lindsay Duncan as Lady Tamplin, Alice Eve as Lennox and Elliott Gould as Rufus Van Aldin. When the events of 1926 were starting to recede, Christie states that she "had to take stock of my friends". The police arrest Knighton and the case is closed. New York: William Morrow, 2005 (originally published in 1928). 3.86 55,923 ratings3,681 reviews A mysterious woman, a legendary cursed jewel, and a night train from London to the French Riviera -- ingredients for the perfect romance or the perfect crime? When the fabled Blue Train, the luxury overnight passenger express to the Riviera, arrives at Nice, a guard attempts to awaken Ruth . mysterious 97% adventurous 46% tense 16% lighthearted 12% dark 7% And where else to turn to but to the Queen of Crime and her favorite detective, Hercule Poirot. One of the characters in Death on the Nile recognises Poirot because of his involvement in The Mystery of the Blue Train: "Miss Van Schuyler said: ' I have only just realised who you are, Monsieur Poirot. Now separated from Archie and in need of funds, she turned back to writing. Everyone is convinced the case is solved, but Poirot is not sure. The international setting makes for a good varied read, but there is a plethora of sixth-form schoolgirl French and some deleterious influences from the thrillers. This also throws suspicion on Derek when a cigarette case with the letter "K" is found. These were events which disturbed her for the remainder of her life[16] and Christie learned that people she expected to be allies in her time of need turned away from her. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Agatha Christie's beloved detective Hercule Poirot solves the murder of an American heiress by restaging her final journey by night trainwith all of the suspects aboard. But even Hercule Poirot, for it is he, does not guess how soon he will be called upon to unravel a complicated and intricate crime when the Blue Train steams into Nice the following morning and it is discovered that murder has been done. "[8], British crime writer and critic Robert Barnard declared: "Christie's least favourite story, which she struggled with just before and after the disappearance. The events of 1926 with the death of her mother and her husband's infidelity had left a deep psychological scar on Christie. So with the famous Heart of Fire ruby. The story follows the wealthy American heiress Ruth Kettering as she travels on the. Katherine Grey is a single woman who has been an elder companion, whose service meant so much that she was left a sizable sum by the woman she cared for. Were the jewels the motive for the murder, or were they only taken as a blind? But she will never wake again - for a heavy blow has . She and Fisher (to whom Christie referred affectionately as both "Carlo" and "Carlotta") divided her acquaintances into two separate categories; the Order of Rats and the Order of Faithful Dogs (O.F.D.) The Mystery of the Blue Train (Hercule Poirot #6), Agatha Christie. Istanbul : Travelling in buses, getting lost and, Istanbul: Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque & other, Istanbul : First Impressions, Aya Sofya and tour, St. Louis Neighborhood An Evening In Grand, Observations of a first time visitor to USA, Celebrating independent bookstores: Brattle Book Shop, Boston, Things I will miss about St.Louis, Missouri, Do we question mortality only when faced with, Streaming Bollywood on Netflix: Kapoor & Sons &, Harlan Cobens The Five is contrived yet entertaining, Enjoy An Evening Of Suspense with Ill Be, St. Louis Theatre Round-up : The Crucible and. [2][3] The UK edition retailed at seven shillings and sixpence (7/6)[4] and the US edition at $2.00. The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie - Mysteries Ahoy! What is more, her precious rubies are missing. Agatha Christie. "The Mystery of the Blue Train" is a classic detective novel by Agatha Christie, first published in 1928. Part of the problem is, I think, that we are given too much information about the suspects and possible motives from the start. The Times Literary Supplement gave a more positive reaction to the book than Christie herself in its issue of 3 May 1928. Your email address will not be published. The novel concerns the murder of an American heiress on Le Train Bleu, the titular "Blue Train". We earn a small commission on purchases made through any Amazon affiliate links on this page. I would have liked to see them together againand perhaps Poirot would have as wellbut she makes a different choice that, depending on your perspective, may seem safe or alternatively reflect a mature self-understanding. They switch train compartments, and when Ruth is bludgeoned to death, making her features unrecognizable, Poirot speculates that the intended victim may have been Katherine. When the luxurious Blue Train arrives at Nice, aguard attempts to wake serene Ruth Kettering fromher slumbers. Money will be involved in the crime, most likely a coveted inheritance or valuable jewels. . The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928) : Agatha Christie - Archive It passes into the possession of the beautiful American woman, Ruth Kettering, and doom follows swift upon it. Language: English. When the train stops, the jewel is missing, and the woman is found dead in her compartment. Rufus, Ruth's father, has a wife in the film, who became insane after the birth of Ruth, and Rufus has ensured her (his wife's) safekeeping at a convent, where she has become a nun. In the novel, Lady Tamplin's fourth husband has nothing to do with the ruby. Rufus Van Aldin: [Introducing himself] Mr. Poirot, Rufus Van Aldin. Mother! The murder will happen IN or ON or AT the subject mentioned in the title (in this case the murder occurs ON the blue train). Language: English. Rufus, Ruth's father, has a wife in the film, who became insane after Ruth's birth, and Rufus has ensured her (his wife's) safekeeping at a convent, where she has become a nun. Then he meets Ruth Kettering. The Mystery of the Blue Train By Agatha Christie | Used | 9780008129484 The final chapter, called By the Sea in the book, was unnamed in the serialisation. Maybe it was just a robber who knew that the gems were aboard. Poirot agrees to assist, as well as to work for Van Aldin, and his quiet, war veteran assistant, Major Knighton. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. [10] It was broadcast in six parts weekly, 29 December 1985 - 2 February 1986. . to read read. This was the first of the adaptations of Poirot novels by BBC Radio. There were slight amendments to the text, either to make sense of the openings of an instalment (e.g. The series has strong story lines, good production and acting, and an unmistakable flavor of the pre-war years. She is also the owner of a world-famous ruby. A mysterious woman, a legendary cursed jewel, and a night train to the French riviera -- ingredients for the perfect romance or the perfect crime? Ruth is found hammer-murdered in her compartment, which she switched for romantic purposes (hence leaving her maid in Paris) with Miss Grey, the ruby missing. Murder and violence have followed in their wake. Carlotta and Peter". "Poirot" The Mystery of the Blue Train (TV Episode 2005) - IMDb Ruth becomes friends with Katherine Grey. Ruth becomes friends with Katherine Grey. The second relates to the setup to the murder plot which feels far too forced and mechanical. The book also features the first appearance of Poirot's valet, George. I particularly enjoyed the women Katherine cared for. Or could it be her lover who is famous for swindling women in high society? He agrees to take on the case, comparing himself to a retired doctor who has stumbled upon someone needing medical treatment. The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie, 2015, HarperCollins Publishers, HARPER COLLINS edition, in English. ", Robert Barnard: "Christie's least favourite story, which she struggled with just before and after the disappearance. More about this story - Blaise Pascal, IFES Secretary for Dialogue and Social Engagement, "For we are God's workmanship . The prime suspect is Ruth's estranged husband, Derek. Both ignore she has a lover too, Count La Roche. New characters were added to the film; at one point, one of the other passengers visits Rufus' wife, who mistakes the passenger for her daughter Ruth. Her biography recounts how the total number of words in the book were carefully tallied up, showing what an ordeal Christie found it to be. One other detail troubles Poirot. Agatha Christie with Hugh Fraser (Narrator) . Lets start with some positive comments about the book while I do not love the mystery, I think Christies writing continued to mature and the prose is pretty engaging. The graphic novel was first published in French in 2005 under the title Le train bleu and the story was adapted for television with David Suchet as Poirot in 2006. Peter's devotion to Christie at this time was never forgotten by her and she returned that affection, writing to her second husband, Max Mallowan in 1930 that "You've never been through a really bad time with nothing but a dog to hold on to." She was the daughter of wealthy industrialist Rufus Van Alden and very much wanted a divorce. [2][3] The UK edition retailed at seven shillings and sixpence (7/6)[4] and the US edition at $2.00. What part did the beautiful foreign dancer play? The investigation leads him to the French Riviera, where he encounters a wealthy family with a tangled history and a cast of suspicious characters, including a notorious art thief.Through a series of clever deductions and surprising plot twists, Poirot ultimately solves the mystery and reveals the identity of the killer. She has been invited to stay with her cousin, the Viscountess Tamplin and her daughter, who also hope to benefit from Katherines new found wealth. He also says that the cigarette case with the K on it does not stand for 'Kettering', but for 'Knighton'. Pages completely filled with incomplete thoughts. Because the final story presented on the screen is far from Christie's worst - in fact, it is closer to her best. changing "She then" to "Katherine then"), or omitting small sentences or words, especially in the opening instalment where several paragraphs were omitted. What is the French language plot outline for The Mystery of the Blue Train (2005)? There was a BBC radio adaptation starring Maurice Denham as Poirot. Solving Crimes From Los Angeles to Kolkata, The Palace of Illusions Draupadis Story. Poirot, still in retirement and also travelling on board the train, is asked by her father to take on the case. Then he opens it and finds Katherine also opening the door] Oh! Poirot offers to go with her on the Blue Train. At the risk of looking past it with Van Aldin, Poirot keeps looking, and particularly for a shadowy figure known as the Marquis. [13] It later had an effect on her in the midst of wartime when, nervous that at some future point she might be in need of funds and need a fallback, she wrote Sleeping Murder and locked it securely in a bank vault for future publication. The prime suspect is Ruths estranged husband, Derek. - Ephesians 2:10, Exploring life through pilgrimage, literature, and faith, The Month in Reviews: July 2022 | Bob on Books, Bob on Books Top Viewed Reviews of 2022 | Bob on Books, Growing Up in Working Class Youngstown Hugh A. She has just inherited a lot of money and is about to travel to visit relations in the South of France, but is nervous. Let a good murder mystery come within his ken, and he just can't be kept out of it. Derek did go into the compartment to talk to Ruth once he saw she was on the train, but he left when he saw she was asleep. Could Derek have done that? Katherine : I'm so sorry I kept you waiting. [citation needed], Dust-jacket illustration of the first UK edition, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Mystery_of_the_Blue_Train&oldid=1147115997, Rufus Van Aldin, the American millionaire, Ruth's father, Ruth Kettering, Van Aldin's only daughter, Derek's wife, Hon Derek Kettering, Van Aldin's son-in-law, Ruth's husband, Mirelle, a Parisian dancer, Derek's gold-digging and later vengeful French lover, Major Richard Knighton, Van Aldin's secretary, Armand, Comte de la Roche, former lover of Ruth, Katherine Grey, formerly companion to the recently deceased Mrs Harfield, who has left her entire estate to Grey, Dr and Mrs Harrison, Katherine's friends in the village of St Mary Mead, Amelia Viner, an elderly, terminally ill spinster and friend of Katherine Grey in St Mary Mead, Rosalie, Viscountess Tamplin, cousin of Katherine, owner of a villa on the Riviera, Hon.