The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

SUMMARY

Dr. James Sheppard is a (the) well-known doctor in a wealthy town called King's Abbott. Dr. Sheppard wakes up on this particular Friday morning to a normal day (is there really such a thing as a "normal" day in the life of a doctor?) - his sister Caroline spilling out all of her most recently acquired gossip while he sips tea or coffee over a light breakfast. But, Dr. Sheppard's day doesn't stay normal. Mrs. Ferrars - a citizen of the extremely small town - has died. Sheppard is sent to give her medical attention, but he was too late.

One of Dr. Sheppard's best friends in King's Abbott - Mr. Roger Ackroyd - was seeing Mrs. Ferrars before her ultimate demise. As the amateur sleuth he is, Sheppard goes to pay a call at the biggest house in King's Abbott: the Ackroyd residence. Upon his visit, Sheppard is immediately ushered into Ackroyd's study where he is informed that Mrs. Ferrars was being blackmailed. Perhaps Caroline was right when she suggested Mrs. Ferrars might have ended her own life because of her guilt.

Upon arrival back at his own home, Sheppard receives a call that Roger Ackroyd is dead - murdered.

REVIEW

I listened to the original radio show version of this novel - highly recommend it! I will link it here. *Disclaimer* - all of the novel is not read by the actors and actresses in this radio show, but overall, the show is a great representation of the story, keeps the integrity of the plot, and is very dramatic and vintage (1945-1946, yes I know, which I LOVE).

As you all know, I am a huge Agatha Christie fan. I know I say this every time I read a Christie book, BUTTT this book may have taken one of the top spots for my favorite Christies. Poirot is as brilliant and precise as ever in Ackroyd. (Poirot = my hero...!) Definitely a must-read for any mystery lovers or Christie-obsessed people. I do NOT want to spoil the ending but the solution and conclusion to this mystery are new concepts for me (ME - a person who has read more mysteries than she has visited counties in her home state).

Comments

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