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The Mystery Of The Blue Train / The Listerdale Mystery / Murder At The Vicarage
544 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1970
11 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Christie
5,907 books76.6k followersAgatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 25, 2018
I've read only 'The Mistery of The Blue Train'. I was under the influence of the TV episode with David Suchet, and as much as appreciate the TV film, I was a little shocked with the differences between the film and the book. Yes, I know that when books are adapted to TV or movies there has to be changes. But it's the first time I notice substantial changes.
There's the expected murder, and the expected investigation both by the police and by Poirot. The private sleuth is the same brilliant observer of human minds and clues that take him through a path that only he sees and to the murder's name. And the reader, that is, me, is still in the dark.
I really don't know how to write about a crime/mistery novel without mentioning spoilers. I'll only say that I still prefer the books to the films and, in this case, the way it ends.
There's the expected murder, and the expected investigation both by the police and by Poirot. The private sleuth is the same brilliant observer of human minds and clues that take him through a path that only he sees and to the murder's name. And the reader, that is, me, is still in the dark.
I really don't know how to write about a crime/mistery novel without mentioning spoilers. I'll only say that I still prefer the books to the films and, in this case, the way it ends.
May 10, 2020
Only read "Mystery on the blue train". Loved it and looking forward to reading the others.
March 12, 2026
If you love the "cozy" atmosphere of 1920s luxury travel, Agatha Christie’s The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928) is a fun, old-school ride! 🛤️🍸 While not Christie's absolute best work (she famously disliked it herself 😳), it is still a solid, entertaining mystery that hits all the right notes for fans of Hercule Poirot.
The Plot 📖🕵️♂️
The story follows the glamorous, yet doomed, Ruth Kettering, an American heiress travelling on the famous "Blue Train" (Le Train Bleu) to the French Riviera 🇫🇷⛵. She’s bringing along a priceless, cursed ruby necklace called the "Heart of Fire" 💎🔥. Spoiler alert: She is found dead in her compartment, and the rubies are gone! 😱💀
The Good ❤️
Atmosphere: I absolutely loved the 1920s glamour, the French Riviera setting, and the luxurious train journey 🥂🎩.
Poirot: Our favorite Belgian detective brings his "little grey cells" to a case packed with shady characters 🕵️♂️💡.
Katherine Grey: The quiet, sensible new protagonist is a refreshing addition to the Christie universe 🤫👏.
Twists: There are plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing 🤨🔍.
The Mixed 🧐
The Pace: It takes a while for the actual murder to happen ⏱️🐢.
The Clues: Some clues feel a little too convenient 🤷♀️ (looking at you, dropped cigarette case!).
The Romance: Some of the romantic subplots feel a bit cliché 🙄💖.
Final Thoughts 💭
While it’s not Murder on the Orient Express, it is a perfectly serviceable 3.5-star 🌟🌟🌟✨ thriller. If you want a quick escape into a world of high-society drama, greedy husbands, and stolen jewels, jump on this train! 🚂💨
The Plot 📖🕵️♂️
The story follows the glamorous, yet doomed, Ruth Kettering, an American heiress travelling on the famous "Blue Train" (Le Train Bleu) to the French Riviera 🇫🇷⛵. She’s bringing along a priceless, cursed ruby necklace called the "Heart of Fire" 💎🔥. Spoiler alert: She is found dead in her compartment, and the rubies are gone! 😱💀
The Good ❤️
Atmosphere: I absolutely loved the 1920s glamour, the French Riviera setting, and the luxurious train journey 🥂🎩.
Poirot: Our favorite Belgian detective brings his "little grey cells" to a case packed with shady characters 🕵️♂️💡.
Katherine Grey: The quiet, sensible new protagonist is a refreshing addition to the Christie universe 🤫👏.
Twists: There are plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing 🤨🔍.
The Mixed 🧐
The Pace: It takes a while for the actual murder to happen ⏱️🐢.
The Clues: Some clues feel a little too convenient 🤷♀️ (looking at you, dropped cigarette case!).
The Romance: Some of the romantic subplots feel a bit cliché 🙄💖.
Final Thoughts 💭
While it’s not Murder on the Orient Express, it is a perfectly serviceable 3.5-star 🌟🌟🌟✨ thriller. If you want a quick escape into a world of high-society drama, greedy husbands, and stolen jewels, jump on this train! 🚂💨
January 21, 2019
I only read The Mistery of The Blue Train but I am looking forward to read also the others because Agatha Christie is one of my favourites authors and I am pretty confident that no matter what book I would read from her is going to be more than good (in my opinion) :))
April 17, 2023
5 stars
Just finished The Mystery on the Blue Train. I always enjoy Christie’s books, but this one was extra complex and kept me guessing until the very end! Really enjoyed the supporting cast. Appreciated the ambiance, culture, and art as always.
Just finished The Mystery on the Blue Train. I always enjoy Christie’s books, but this one was extra complex and kept me guessing until the very end! Really enjoyed the supporting cast. Appreciated the ambiance, culture, and art as always.
December 16, 2021
Only read "Mystery on the Blue Train."
December 5, 2022
A collection of stories.
February 16, 2024
Brilliant
January 17, 2024
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/7...
The Mystery of the Blue Train : 8/10 : read 2016
The Listerdale Mystery : 8/10 : read 2006, 2011, 2014, 2016
Murder at the Vicarage : 9/10 : read 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016
The Mystery of the Blue Train : 8/10 : read 2016
The Listerdale Mystery : 8/10 : read 2006, 2011, 2014, 2016
Murder at the Vicarage : 9/10 : read 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews