The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie: Review

If anyone could be considered the progenitor of the modern crime novel, it surely must be Agatha Christie. Her work has been one that many have sought to emulate over the years: authors like Ruth Rendell, Colin Wexford and so many others owe their careers in fiction to Christie. Like what Ian Flemming did for spy novels, Christie defined the genre as we know it today. And, in Hercule Poirot, she created the very definition of the modern super sleuth: smart, dry, slightly eccentric, but always observant and sharp. One of the most famous Poirot stories is, of course, 'The ABC Murders', and it is one that has been adapted for stage and screen many times. And, reading the original novel, it is clear why this is one of the most celebrated stories in Christie's oeuvre. A fast-paced and exciting book, with plenty of twists and turns, this is crime fiction at its best, and serves to remind the audience of how great the genre is, regardless of the detective in charge of the investigation.

Like all Christie novels, this is written from the first person point-of-view of Captain Hastings, although this does take the unusual step of including events that the character does not witness. At first, this does seem a rather unnecessary choice: these 'diversions' do not intersect with the main plot, and seem rather superfluous. However, such is Christie's genius, it is only as the novel progresses that we start to see not only the reason for these scenes, but also the necessity of their inclusion. Like all the best thrillers, this is a slow-burning story, with the action taking place over many months, as the killer slowly, but surely, strikes at each victim. To modern readers, this pace might seem somewhat sluggish; leaden even. However, Christie knows how to play the long game with a book like this, and, by the end, you are simply desperate to find out who the killer is. It's a real page-turner, which is something that a lot of people will say about a book, but its a definite true statement about 'ABC Murders'. It's hard to tear yourself away, and Christie liberally chucks in every trope in the, well, book, but it never feels like its just riding on stereotypes and cheap tricks. I mean, Christie did lay out the template for this kind of story, but even now, nearly a hundred years later, her writing still feels fresh and original.

Throughout the novel, we are introduced to a lot of characters, some of whom take on a greater importance than others in the narrative. Again, it is to Christie's credit that the plot never feels cluttered or convoluted. She has a very definite sense of character, helped no doubt by the sharp nature of Captain Hastings' deft descriptions. We know who is important to the ongoing story, and who is merely there to add local colour and character immediately, while never discounting the possibility that anyone we meet could be the very person they are hunting for. It's a fine skill, and Hastings' well-rounded and firm characterisation helps make this task so much easier. A more unreliable narrator might miss obvious details, but Hastings captures everything we need to know, so the clues are all in plain sight when the curtain comes down. The macabre nature of each death is skilfully written: it doesn't dwell on detail, but does enough to paint a pretty grim picture of each moment. I would also say that this is probably the most vivid realisation of Poirot I've ever come across: sure, I will always think of David Suchet as the definitive screen version of the character (my youth is defined by watching repeats of the ITV show with my gran), but the version that the reader creates with their own imagination is perhaps something even more remarkable. He's deft, and witty, without ever meaning to be. Yet, we see little chinks in the amour as the killer strikes, mocking Poirot every step of the way, which lift the character beyond what you would expect. In a Whodunnit, of course, it is often some fatal character flaw that gives the murderer away, and, while I'll confess that I didn't see it, once you have the full picture, it makes sense, and keeps in step with the genre.

Honestly, it's hard to pick fault with 'ABC Murders'. It is a classy book that tells a down-the-line, gripping murder mystery, in a sophisticated and contemporary way. With one of the world's greatest detectives in the lead, this is an absolute classic of the genre, and stands with 'Hounds of the Baskervilles' as one of the founding novels of the crime genre. Reading this was a proper page-turner, and, if you haven't read this, then you are missing out on a great novel that will keep you guessing from the first page to the last!

'The ABC Murders' is available from Waterstones Online, as well as other online retailers and all good bookshops.