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by Agatha Christie
Berkley Books, 1928
My Rating: B+
“. . . I had changed from an amateur to a professional. I assumed the burden of a profession, which is to write even when you don’t want to, don’t much like what you are writing, and aren’t writing particularly well. I have always hated The Mystery of the Blue Train, but I got it written, and sent off to the publishers.”
- from Agatha Christie in An Autobiography
I’m sorry Agatha Christie didn’t like this book. I think it’s because this book was associated with a painful time in her life. Ms. Christie’s mother had died and her husband, Archie Christie, asked her for a divorce. He was having an affair with a mutual friend. These two events caused a severe depression and, in addition, she now had to write to support herself and her daughter.
Even though Agatha Christie hated the book, I rather liked it. It read like a regular novel set in the 1920’s rather than strictly a mystery novel. She took the time to introduce the characters and to set the scene. The actual murder did not happen until Chapter 11.
There were so many main characters but my favorite was Katherine Grey, a single woman in her thirties. Katherine has just inherited a small fortune from the woman for whom she was a long-time companion. Now with an improved wardrobe, she’s off to see something of the world and, hopefully, have a nice little adventure. She’s aboard the Blue Train, a luxury train between London and the south of France.
Katherine meets Ruth Kettering who is also on board the Blue Train. Ruth is the daughter of one of the richest men in America. She’s married to a man who is having an affair with a famous dancer. But Ruth is not completely innocent. She’s planning to meet a former lover herself. All of these people are on board the Blue Train, or at least this reader believes they are all on board. To make it even more tantalizing, Ruth brought along the famous Russian rubies her father recently purchased for her.
I won’t spoil the story for you by telling you any more of the story. But I will tell you there is one more important guest on board the Blue Train. He’s short, with an egg-shaped head, and he’s known as the world’s greatest detective. Yes, you guessed it — Hercule Poirot will manage to tie up the story quite nicely.
This is the ninth novel published by Agatha Christie. I’m reading these books in order for the Agatha Christie Reading Challenge. For more information about this on-going challenge, go HERE.
NORTHERN CALLIFORNIA
This one I liked, but I couldn’t quite love. The wrong expectations maybe, because I did enjoy the television adaptation with David Suchet not so long ago. Worth getting hold of, if you can.
I’ve been enjoying your Agatha posts. I know I haven’t read them all, but I like revisiting the familiar ones and following Christie’s career through your eyes.
How sad to find out your husband is having an affair with a mutual friend. I think if it has to happen, a stranger would be better. And how amazing that she was able to continue to write with all that going on and being so depressed.
I can see why Agatha wouldn’t like this one since she wrote it at such a sad time of her life. Your review is great!
I love the autobio. quote to lead off the post. Thanks for continuing to introduce me to her work – I have yet to read any of them but know that some day I will – inpsired by you!
I want to do this challenge on my own this winter (after our roadtrip). I’ve read a few of Dame Agatha’s mysteries years ago, but definitely not all of them. A few years ago I accidentally (in a used book store) got hooked on Ngaio Marsh’s mysteries. I kept looking for all of them every time we visited another store and finally last winter finished reading all of them. I felt sad and deprived when there weren’t any more to look for. She’s quite good too, I believe a contemporary of Agatha. Those were good books back then.
Well, what does Agatha Christie know about her own books? haha! I’m glad you enjoyed it and this sounds like a neat challenge to read her books in order.
I love hearing the backstory of the book. If I knew that Christie didn’t like the book I would read it looking for reasons why. Glad you enjoyed it.
I’ve been an Agatha Christie fan for years, but have never read this one. I’ll add it to my list. Thanks, also, for the extra info on the author. Makes the reading even more interesting.
well it is a good book .and i hope all of u read it
I’ve been an Agatha Christie fan for years, but have never read this one. I’ll add it to my list. Thanks, also, for the extra info on the author. Makes the reading even more interesting.
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