Community Reviews Summary of 4,295 reviews. And where else to turn to but to the Queen of Crime and her favorite detective, Hercule Poirot. [Poirot heaves a sigh of relief] Hercule Poirot : [Checking the number of Katherine's compartment - No. She has just inherited a lot of money and is about to travel to visit relations in the South of France, but is nervous. Appropriately for a Christie train-based story, its about the journey rather that the destination, at least for me. The police arrest Knighton and the case is closed. ." The famous ruby, "Heart of Fire", which had recently been given to Ruth by her father, is discovered to be missing. The Mystery of the Blue Train was released by HarperCollins as a graphic novel adaptation on 3 December 2007, adapted and illustrated by Marc Piskic (ISBN 0-00-725060-6). The Mystery of the Blue Train was released by HarperCollins as a graphic novel adaptation on 3 December 2007, adapted and illustrated by Marc Piskic (.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#3a3;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}ISBN0-00-725060-6). Agatha Christie Wiki is a FANDOM Books Community. (LogOut/ Part of that is that I really just dont dig that production but it also reflects that this plot is, for me, a bit of a snooze. She uses very nearly those words to a chance acquaintance on the Blue Train a little man with an egg-shaped head and fierce moustaches whose answer is curious and unexpected. What part did the beautiful foreign dancer play? The next morning, though, Ruth is found dead in her compartment, a victim of strangulation. The Mystery of the Blue Train is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie and 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. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 1972, Greenway edition of collected works (William Collins), Hardcover, 286 pp. The events of 1926, with the death of her mother, her husband's infidelity, and her breakdown and ten-day disappearance, had left a deep psychological scar and, now separated from Archie Christie and in need of funds, she turned back to writing. There are several points at which Poirot asserts himself over his employer and in those moments I think make him appear rather heroic. This is the only major work by Agatha Christie in which the UK first edition carries no copyright or publication date. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. The blurb of the first edition (which is carried on both the back of the jacket and opposite the title page) reads: Since the beginning of history, jewels have exercised a baneful spell. Never guessed whodunnit either. Howdy! In spite of the handsome fur coat which garbed his meagre form, there was something essentially weak and paltry about him. Language: English. Were the jewels the motive for the murder, or were they only taken as a blind? Pingback: Bob on Books Top Viewed Reviews of 2022 | Bob on Books. This was the first of the adaptations of Poirot novels by BBC Radio. A reference to the continental Daily Mail at the start of chapter six (chapter eight in the book) was changed to "the newspaper" to avoid mentioning a competitor to The Star. In the novel, Lady Tamplin's fourth husband has nothing to do with the ruby. 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. These were events which disturbed her for the remainder of her lifeand Christie learned that people she expected to be allies in her time of need turned away from her. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Robert C Trube and Bob on Books with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Three chapters were given different names: chapter nine (eleven in the book) was called Something Good instead of Murder, chapter twenty-six (twenty-eight in the book) was called Poirot hedges instead of Poirot plays the Squirrel and chapter twenty-eight (chapter thirty in the book) was called Katherine's letters instead of Miss Viner gives judgement. * We earn a small commission on purchases made through any Amazon affiliate links on this page. [Agatha Christie; John Moffatt] -- When Miss Katherine Grey unexpectedly inherits a small fortune she books the famous Blue Train for a trip to the French Riviera. The story did not come easily to her and she referred to this novel in her autobiography stating that she "always hated it". 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. But she will never wake againfor a heavy blow has killed her, disfiguring her features almost beyond recognition. Add These Cute Planters To Your Bookshelf! Ruth's maid, Ada Mason, says she saw a man in Ruth's compartment but could not see who he was. Hopefully I will find it holds up! The writing of this book (part of which took place on the Canary Islands in early 1927 - rather than February 1928, as Morgan suggests - given that the serialisation started on 1 February 1928)[11] was an ordeal for Christie. Poirot is dining alone in a London restaurant and strikes up a friendship with Katherine Grey. @Zoya I must have read Elephants can remember at school I remember a phase in 9th and 10th grade where I devoured every Poirot novel in the library. Part of the problem is, I think, that we are given too much information about the suspects and possible motives from the start. About The Mystery of the Blue Train. The American heiress bailing out of a doomed marriage is en route to reconcile with her former lover. The novel concerns the murder of an American heiress on Le Train Bleu, the titular "Blue Train". Agatha Christie's Poirot Series 10: The Mystery of the Blue TrainFollow us on Facebook: https://fb.me/BritTVChannelBuy me a coffee here: https://www.buymeaco. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This is a personal blog. Nice review. Exc, A little slice of paradise Heiress Ruth Kettering, daughter of American billionaire Rufus Van Aldin, is married to what her father believes to be a scoundrel, and has a lover that her husband believes to be another scoundrel. [17] When the events of 1926 were starting to recede, Christie states that she "had to take stock of my friends". Just before departing for a trip to the Riviera on the Blue Train, a luxury, overnight train through France, she agrees to her fathers counsel to divorce her philandering husband, Derek Kettering, whose most recent bit of stuff is an opportunistic dancer, Mirelle. Since Knighton was supposedly in Paris, no one would have suspected him. The Mystery of the Blue Train Hercule Poirot #6. This is the only major work by Agatha Christie in which the UK first edition carries no copyright or publication date. Agatha Christies most well-known train mystery is Murder on the Orient Express (1934). Photography and infographics cannot be used without permission. He reveals that the murderer and Mason's accomplice is Knighton, who is really "The Marquis". Yes, Agatha actually developed a lot of her short stories into full-length novels. Ruth's father, American millionaire Rufus Van Aldin, and his secretary, Major Knighton, persuade Poirot to take on the case. Whose hand was it that struck her down? The mystery of the blue train. Ruth Kettering, an American heiress, is in an unhappy marriage to an English aristocrat. [3] The book features her detective Hercule Poirot. The final chapter, called By the Sea in the book, was unnamed in the serialisation. Poirot asks Van Aldin and Knighton to come with him on the Blue Train to recreate the murder. Dust-jacket illustration of the first UK edition. The series has strong story lines, good production and acting, and an unmistakable flavor of the pre-war years. The dedication "To the two distinguished members of the O.F.D. What part did the beautiful foreign dancer play? 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. The events of 1926 with the death of her mother, her husband's infidelity and her breakdown and ten-day disappearance had left a deep psychological scar and now separated from Archie Christie and in need of funds she turned back to writing. When the fabled Blue Train, the luxury overnight passenger express to the Riviera, arrives at Nice, a guard attempts to awaken Ruth . "Books are humanity in print." So with the famous Heart of Fire ruby. 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. The UK edition retailed at seven shillings and sixpence (7/6) and the US edition at $2.00. The Mystery of the Blue Train: Hercule Poirot Investigates (Hercule Poirot series Book 6) (p. 178). It wasnt one of her favorites and one she struggled to write. etina (cs) . Can you list the top facts and stats about The Mystery of the Blue Train? Be the first to contribute. Pages completely filled with incomplete thoughts. . Katherine says she saw Derek enter Ruth's compartment. 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. It also features the first appearance of the minor recurring character, Mr Goby, who would later appear in After the Funeral and Third Girl. Publisher: Harper Collins. The Mystery of the Blue Train Agatha Christie . chief among the latter group, Christie put Charlotte Fisher for her steadfast support. It passes into the possession of the beautiful American woman, Ruth Kettering, and doom follows swift upon it. You will find her tips and reviews on best travel destinations, books and movie/tv shows on Shades of Words. Unfortunately for the murderer, Hercule Poirot was also aboard Le Train Bleu. This is partly because I just dont see why that relationship would work for her but mostly I think it overwrites the characters actual arc of trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life (I dont actually buy that either but the two resolutions seem completely incompatible with each other). The television film includes several changes from the original novel. - Carlotta and Peter". It turns out she will end up far more involved than she could have imagined. Pingback: The Month in Reviews: July 2022 | Bob on Books. The famous detective Hercule Poirot is also on the train, and graciously offers his services to the French Police to help with the case, which he ultimately does. The New York Times Book Review of 12 August 1928 said, "Nominally Poirot has retired, but retirement means no more to him than it does to a prima donna. Carlotta and Peter". Change). That line was retained in the television film, even though Death on the Nile was broadcast first. When the train stops, the jewel is missing, and the woman is found dead in her compartment. Poirot investigates the brutal murder of an American heiress and the theft of a fabulous ruby on the Blue Train between Calais and Nice. Poirot solves the case only after digging into old and new secrets and seeing through multiple treachery. I was tempted to pick this book at the NPL last weekend but favored short stories over this. Christie's dedication in the book reads: "To the two distinguished members of the O.F.D. He asks Van Aldin and Knighton to come with him on the Blue Train to recreate the murder. mysterious 97% adventurous 46% tense 16% lighthearted 12% dark 7% funny 7% challenging 6% relaxing 6% reflective 5% . 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. The events of 1926 with the death of her mother and her husband's infidelity had left a deep psychological scar on Christie. Both ignore she has a lover too, Count La Roche. The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie. When the luxurious Blue Train arrives at Nice, a guard attempts to wake serene Ruth Kettering from her slumbers. At the risk of looking past it with Van Aldin, Poirot keeps looking, and particularly for a shadowy figure known as the Marquis. Additional changes in the film include Ada Mason trying to kill Katherine (because Knighton had fallen in love with Katherine and Ada was jealous). Timing of the murder will be extremely crucial to solving the case. The novel also contains a number of firsts: there is a reference to the fictional village of St. Mary Mead, which would later be the home of Agatha Christie's detective Miss Marple; the first appearance of the minor recurring character, Mr Goby, who would also appear in After the Funeral and Third Girl and the first appearance of Poirot's valet, George. A reference to the continental Daily Mail at the start of chapter six (chapter eight in the book) was changed to "the newspaper" to avoid mentioning a competitor to The Star. She uses very nearly those words to a chance acquaintance on the Blue Train - a little man with an egg-shaped head and fierce moustaches whose answer is curious and unexpected. However, in a bit of foreshadowing, Poirot says that he would like to take the Orient Express someday, while Katherine talks about the romance of the train. He advises her to keep it at home but instead she decides to take it with her on a trip on board the Blue Train through France. Now separated from Archie and in need of funds, she turned back to writing. Apart from Poirot and Katherine, others on the train include the Tamplin family (Katherine's cousins), millionaire Rufus van Aldin and his daughter Ruth Kettering, Ruth's penniliess husband Derek, and her boyfriend - and Ruth has a very valuable ruby with her called 'The Heart of Fire'. What is more, her precious rubies are missing. Poirot and Katherine match each other in very different ways in their own self-possession. Ruth becomes friends with Katherine Grey. Publication date: 29 March 1928. fiction classics crime mystery mysterious medium-paced. At the end of the film, the murderer commits suicide, instead of just being arrested by the French police as in the novel. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Everyone is convinced the case is solved, but Poirot is not sure. The Mystery of the Blue Train (Hercule Poirot #6), Agatha Christie. 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. One person who didn't was Charlotte Fisher (born c. 1901 died 1976), who had been employed by Christie as both her own secretary and a governess to her daughter Rosalind in 1924. But she will never wake againfor a heavy blow has killed her, disfiguring her features almost beyond recognition. The Mystery of the Blue Train was adapted for radio by BBC Radio 4, with Maurice Denham as Poirot. He is suspicious of Ruth's estranged husband, Derek Kettering, who was on the same train but claims not to have seen Ruth. Required fields are marked *. - Carlotta and Peter" also references this difficult time. O.F.D. The Mystery of the Blue Train begins with the introduction of distantly related characters, each with their own nuances, dark secrets, and ambitions. All Rights Reserved. Derek is then arrested. 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? Donate . Solving Crimes From Los Angeles to Kolkata, The Palace of Illusions Draupadis Story. Summary: A rich heiress carrying a rare ruby is murdered on the fashionable overnight train to the French Riviera on which retired detective Hercule Poirot happens to be riding. Kidd is presumably already in custody. But by morning, her private affairs are made public when she . Vipula is a culture and travel blogger from Los Angeles, California. 383 pages first pub 1928 ISBN/UID: 9780007120765. When the luxurious Blue Train arrives at Nice, a guard attempts to wake serene Ruth Kettering from her slumbers. Ruth is accompanied by her new maid, Ada Mason, who after her death, tells authorities that Ruth asked her to leave at Paris and stay at the Ritz. New York: William Morrow, 2005 (originally published in 1928). I think the latter and found her one of the most interesting of Christies characters, in her understated way. Kindle Edition. to read read. chief among the latter group, Christie put Charlotte Fisher for her steadfast support. But Poirot is at hand to solve the case. The Mystery of the Blue Train is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie and first published in the UK by William Collins & Sons on March 29, 1928 and in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company later in the same year . On board Grey meets Ruth Kettering, an American heiress leaving her unhappy marriage to meet her lover. He advises her to keep it at home but instead she decides to take it with her on a trip on board the Blue Train through France. 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. It makes for an appealing backstory but I really do not love the way she is provided with a really unconvincing romance. The novel concerns the murder of an American heiress on Le Train Bleu, the titular "Blue Train". Everyone is convinced the case is solved, but Poirot is not sure. After recounting the set-up of the story the reviewer concluded: "The reader will not be disappointed when the distinguished Belgian on psychological grounds declines to suspect the arrested husband and, by acting on the suggestion of an ugly girl who consistently derides her preposterous mother, builds up inferences almost out of the air, supports them by a masterly array of negative evidence and lands his fish to the surprise of everyone". When the train stops, the jewel is missing, and the woman is found dead in her compartment. There are several fruitier candidates for the title of 'worst Christie'."[9]. THE MYSTERY OF THE BLUE TRAIN Agatha Christie Chapter 1 THE MAN WITH THE WHITE HAIR It was close on midnight when a man crossed the Place de la Concorde. A mysterious woman, a legendary cursed jewel, and a night train to the French riviera ingredients for the perfect romance or the perfect crime? Katherine : [Poirot hesitates at Katherine's door. The entire first two chapters were omitted from the serialisation and it therefore contained only thirty-four chapters. A little man wi th a face like a rat. She is a avid reader and loves traveling around the Globe. All opinions stated are my own and not those of my employer or school. Another example would be Triangle at Rhodes - Evil under the Sun, or the whole book The Big Four is just a . US industrial tycoon Rufus Van Aldin and his right hand Major Knighton tried everything to get suave British son-in-law Derek Kettering, an unfaithful gambling addict, to divorce his daughter Ruth, for whom he bought a priceless ruby with a bloody history. Whose hand was it that struck her down? Addeddate On board the train Grey meets Ruth Kettering, an American heiress leaving her unhappy marriage to meet her lover. Poirot is rarely modest and on most occasions seems to employ Hastings as his personal mascot. The tone for murder is set early. There were slight amendments to the text, either to make sense of the openings of an instalment (e.g. Did you read Elephants can remember and if not, do read it. More about this story Why did Ruths murderer not only strangle her but also strike her face with a disfiguring blow. The character of Mirelle is changed to be Rufus's mistress, who visits Rufus's wife. 317 pages first pub 1928 ISBN/UID: 9781579126957. Your statement on Poirot confused me a bitare you saying hes not modest at all? 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. Hercule Poirot : Oh! [7], The New York Times Book Review of 12 August 1928 said, "Nominally Poirot has retired, but retirement means no more to him than it does to a prima donna. In spite of the handsome fur coat which garbed his meagre form, there was something essentially weak and paltry about him. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Summary: A rich heiress carrying a rare ruby is murdered on the fashionable overnight train to the French Riviera on which retired detective Hercule Poirot happens to be riding. Yet Poirot is not so sure and suspicions turn to Derek. The novel was televised in 2006 as a special episode of the series Agatha Christie's Poirot, and was aired by ITV on 1 January starring David Suchet as Poirot, Roger Lloyd-Pack as Inspector Caux, James D'Arcy as Derek Kettering, Lindsay Duncan as Lady Tamplin, Alice Eve as Lenox and Elliott Gould as Rufus Van Aldin. When the luxurious Blue Train arrives at Nice, a guard attempts to wake serene Ruth Kettering from her slumbers. [12] 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. Hercule Poirot mentions at the end that he has never traveled on the Orient Express, raising viewer expectations of his most famous case, "Murder on the Orient Express.". 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. Grey may also have had enemies as she had recently inherited a very large sum of money and greedy relatives had suddenly taken an interest in her. 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. After traveling on the Blue Train from Calais to Nice, Hercule Poirot is pressed into service to help solve the murder of heiress Ruth Kettering who is found savagely beaten in her compartment. Eventually, the avaricious Mirelle, who was on the train with Derek -- with whom she had been having an affair but, now spurned, is seeking revenge against him -- tells Poirot she saw Derek leave Ruth's compartment around the time the murder would have taken place. Originally published in 1928Hercule Poirot #6Preceded by The Big FourFollowed by Black Coffee. Getting, Street side messages #greece #napflio #bikelife #b, Nice relaxing weekend at #peppervinehomestay 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. When the events of 1926 were starting to recede, Christie states that she "had to take stock of my friends". The UK edition retailed at seven shillings and sixpence (7/6) and the US edition at $2.00. When she takes Le Train Bleu to Nice, she is not alone. And Hercule Poirot is the perfect detective . Every once in a while, I like to immerse myself in a proper British mystery novel. The prime suspect is Ruth's estranged husband, Derek. The Times Literary Supplement gave a more positive reaction to the book than Christie herself in its issue of 3 May 1928. Unfortunately here I rather run out of good things to say about a book that shares some of my least favorite traits of the thrillers she was writing in this decade. #, Hong Kong Street Markets A Walking Tour, Exploring Punakha Valley in 2 days in Bhutan, Exploring Paro and hiking to Taktsang Monastery in, Walking Tour of South Mumbai: From Churchgate to, Medak Cathedral Asias Largest Diocese Church, Traveling Japan In Haikus With Matsuo Basho. One other detail troubles Poirot. This was preceded by a lesser-known train mystery, The Mystery of the Blue Train, published six years earlier.
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