A review by cepbreed
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Oh my god. THAT ENDING. I picked this up specifically because someone told me the murderer was the person you’d least suspect and not suspect them is exactly what I did!!
I actually had myself convinced it was Caroline for half the novel because I thought it wouldn’t usually be her, the gossip junky. Even when Poirot told her to stay back from the dinner party where he promised the murderer would be I thought he was simply trying to lure her to sneak there. She’s exactly like the social media true crime obsessives. Turns out there is a trope even less suspicious than the prideful crime obsession civilian, the “Watson” type. All detectives have some sort of figure that follows them around and represents the audience in a way. The Watson dumbs down the case by serving as a vessel for the detectives explanations. Not once did it ever cross my mind that Dr. Sheppard would be the murderer.
Reading the last chapter was an intense experience. I am so thankful for Agatha Christie’s brain. 

Random note but I would LOVE to see a film adaptation simply because the chaotic mahjong scene would be amazing. I can see the whip pans now! 

Also “M. Poirot and his little ideas!” Is such a fun little saying. I’m totally adopting this lifestyle so from now on when anyone questions me I’ll just say it’s just one of my little ideas.
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