Summary
First published in 1926, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is widely considered one of Agatha Christie's greatest and most controversial detective novels. The book features her famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot as he investigates the murder of a wealthy man in an English village. With its innovative narrative structure and shocking twist ending, the novel had a significant impact on the mystery genre and continues to be acclaimed by critics and readers alike.
The story is narrated by Dr. James Sheppard, who assists Poirot in solving the case after Roger Ackroyd is found stabbed to death in his study. As Poirot methodically unravels the complex web of secrets and suspects, Christie's masterful plotting keeps readers guessing until the very end. In 2013, the British Crime Writers' Association voted The Murder of Roger Ackroyd the best crime novel ever written.
While the novel has not been adapted for film as frequently as some of Christie's other works, it was turned into a successful stage play called Alibi in 1928. More recently, it was adapted as a feature-length episode of the popular television series Agatha Christie's Poirot in 2000, starring David Suchet as the iconic detective. The book's enduring popularity and literary significance have cemented its status as a classic of detective fiction.
Plot
In the English village of King's Abbot, wealthy widow Mrs. Ferrars dies from an overdose of veronal. The next evening, Roger Ackroyd, who had been planning to marry Mrs. Ferrars, is found stabbed to death in his study. Dr. James Sheppard, the local physician and narrator of the story, had dined with Ackroyd that night. Before his death, Ackroyd revealed to Sheppard that Mrs. Ferrars had poisoned her abusive first husband and was being blackmailed.
Famed detective Hercule Poirot, who has recently retired to King's Abbot, is called upon to investigate the murder. Suspicion initially falls on Ackroyd's stepson Ralph Paton, who has disappeared. As Poirot and Dr. Sheppard investigate, they uncover a web of secrets among the household and guests at Fernly Park, Ackroyd's estate. Several people had both motive and opportunity to commit the crime.
Through meticulous investigation and deduction, Poirot gradually eliminates suspects and uncovers key evidence. He discovers that Ralph Paton was secretly married to a parlormaid and that Flora Ackroyd had lied about seeing her uncle alive late that evening. The detective also learns that a dictaphone had been used to make it seem Ackroyd was still alive after he was actually killed.
