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Printed from https://writing.com/main/product_reviews/pr_id/113825-Murder-on-the-Orient-Express-A-Hercule-Poirot-Mystery-The-Official-Authorized-Edition-Hercule-Poirot-series-Book-9
ASIN: B000FC12Z0
ID #113825
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ALL THE OTHER MYSTERY BOOKS CAN GO SIT IN A CORNER AND THINK ABOUT THEIR LIFE GOALS. Except Sherlock Holmes. He may stay.

HOW I have never read this book before is beyond me. I added it to my 'to read' queue a while ago, probably finding the title on some random internet 'must-read' list. I was so halfheartedly interested, I didn't even bother to pick up the beat-up paperback at the used book store for a whopping $3. I put myself on the wait list at my library. It took six months for my turn to come up for the ebook.

Sufficed to say, I ordered a brand new paperback copy for my library today.

It's hard to say very much about it, since it would result in a review riddled with spoilers. Here's what I can tell you:

1. It's like the movie Clue, but without the camp. That isn't to say the book isn't fun. Poirot is wildly amusing, and the characters are vibrantly over-the-top and delicious, as a yummy murder-mystery should be. Being in Poirot's head is fascinating.

2. Ms. Christie unapologetically uses everything you thought you knew about murder mysteries against you.

3. The writing is so tight and clean, yet so rich and detailed, and the story so freakin' intricate, it's delightful. Is it flawless? No, it has a few bumps, but they're entirely forgivable. I wish I could write like this. Keep in mind, this is done without any modern day bells-and-whistles (no train pun intended).

4. You're excited to be trapped in essentially 3 rooms on a train.

5. If you can't stand a book where the author doesn't spoon-feed you the ending so you can solve it before the cops, this isn't for you. Myself, I was enthralled by what I did pick up on, and what I completely missed.

6. You're excited to be hanging out with characters so unbelievable, they're entirely believable.

7. I rarely give 5 full stars, but I honestly can't fault this book for anything. Their are some quirky turns-of-phrase and questionable-by-today's-standards character representations, but honestly, the book was written in 1933 for heaven's sake.

I will definitely be adding more Agatha Christie to my 'to read' pile, and certainly not leaving them at the bottom of the pile this time.
Created Dec 06, 2018 at 8:27pm • Submit your own review...

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Printed from https://writing.com/main/product_reviews/pr_id/113825-Murder-on-the-Orient-Express-A-Hercule-Poirot-Mystery-The-Official-Authorized-Edition-Hercule-Poirot-series-Book-9