Kayote B. (kayote) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 254 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is a classic murder mystery, and well deserves to be so. I have been reading Agatha Christie recently, and finally got around to reading this one. It is one of her better works, and rightly deserves to be a classic.
Things are not quite right from the very beginning, and lots of clues are around even before the murder occurs. And after it happens, oh the twisted web that abounds. Thirteen passengers, Poirot, the director of the rail line, a doctor, and a dead man snowbound on a train.
The ending is well done, but also quite different than most Poirot mysteries. I can't say anything more, and it is wrapped up, but sometimes, even Poirot's skill must go unheralded by the outside world. :)
Things are not quite right from the very beginning, and lots of clues are around even before the murder occurs. And after it happens, oh the twisted web that abounds. Thirteen passengers, Poirot, the director of the rail line, a doctor, and a dead man snowbound on a train.
The ending is well done, but also quite different than most Poirot mysteries. I can't say anything more, and it is wrapped up, but sometimes, even Poirot's skill must go unheralded by the outside world. :)
PhoenixFalls -
Helpful Score: 3
One of Christie's most famous mysteries, and deservedly so. It is a truly ingenious pure puzzle novel -- there is no description to speak of, and the characters are never more than their descriptions in the front of the novel. They don't need to be. It is a novel to be read simply for the sake of matching wits with Christie, and there are very few people who would win in that confrontation. My only objection is that the action Poirot takes at the conclusion of the novel do not seem in keeping with his stated philosophy in other books. Still, that is a minor quibble for an otherwise superb detective novel.
Kayote B. (kayote) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 254 more book reviews
This is a classic murder mystery, and well deserves to be so. I have been reading Agatha Christie recently, and finally got around to reading this one. It is one of her better works, and rightly deserves to be a classic.
Things are not quite right from the very beginning, and lots of clues are around even before the murder occurs. And after it happens, oh the twisted web that abounds. Thirteen passengers, Poirot, the director of the rail line, a doctor, and a dead man snowbound on a train.
The ending is well done, but also quite different than most Poirot mysteries. I can't say anything more, and it is wrapped up, but sometimes, even Poirot's skill must go unheralded by the outside world. :)
Things are not quite right from the very beginning, and lots of clues are around even before the murder occurs. And after it happens, oh the twisted web that abounds. Thirteen passengers, Poirot, the director of the rail line, a doctor, and a dead man snowbound on a train.
The ending is well done, but also quite different than most Poirot mysteries. I can't say anything more, and it is wrapped up, but sometimes, even Poirot's skill must go unheralded by the outside world. :)
Nathan S. reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 5 more book reviews
LOVED IT!
Aimee M. (AimeeM) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 124 more book reviews
A Hercule Poirot mystery. One of my personal favorites!
Amy Christine C. (ACE-10) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 14 more book reviews
This is a classic murder mystery book. In my opinion, you can't call yourself a mystery fan until you've read this book.
Rebekah S. reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 12 more book reviews
The best mystery I've ever read.
Robert M. (shotokanchef) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 813 more book reviews
The train is snowbound in the Transylvania Mountains: then the murder of one occupant of the Calais Coach. Not to worry, Poirot is on the scene. Unfortunately, every other occupant is a suspect. To the amazement of all, the invincible Poirot, in this dearth of resources, uncovers everyones sordid background, including that of the corpse. Interesting as to how everyones background is linked together as he arrives at the solution as to who did it. I applaud his decision; unrealistic as it is, it is justifiable.
Aaron B. (aaron19) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 8 more book reviews
This is one of Agatha Christie's most brilliant mysteries. Our favorite Belgian detective (Hercule Poirot) is traveling on the Orient Express when he is offered by Mr. Ratchett to protect him from some crazed killer. Poirot does not take the job because, as he tells Ratchett, "I do not like your face." However, Ratchett winds up murdered. It is up to Hercule Poirot to solve the mystery while the train is stuck in a snowdrift before the killer manages to escape. It is a twist on the "locked room" mystery becauser it takes place on a train, but the book is still a pleasure to read. Do not watch the 1974 movie until after reading the book. It wouldn't be much fun imagining Albert Finney trying to portray Poirot as you read, but the movie is just as brilliant as the book.
Jenny M. reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 5 more book reviews
Read it in high school years ago!! It was an enjoyable book
John O. (buzzby) -
Train rides just aren't as exciting as they used to be. The movie, as best as I can tell (it's been a few years since I saw it), captures the feeling of the book.
Jennie B. (MyLikeIt) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 450 more book reviews
Terrific.
Melanie L. (melaniern1) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 13 more book reviews
a classic agatha christie mystery story. i keep thinking i got it figured out, but then she surprises me...everytime.
Tom S. (SutterTom) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 191 more book reviews
Ms. Christie's classic tale of murder on a snowbound train.
Matthew M. (Skylerdragon) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 33 more book reviews
This classic tale of Agatha Christie's pits Hercule Poirot against one of the most exciting mysteries of all time. Christie is a fantastic writer. Her characters are vivid and unforgettable.
Steve B. (chaplainwsb) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on
One of the very best whodunits of all time
Teresa D. reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 4 more book reviews
A book by Agath Christie is always good!
Dena (Suzie) C. (DsuzieC) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 159 more book reviews
One of Agatha Christie's best and one of my favorites.
Sharon R. (hazeleyes) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 331 more book reviews
Who doesn't adore Poirot?!
Intelligent. Interesting. Entertaining.
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (224 customer reviews)
http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Orient-Express-Hercule-Mysteries/dp/0062073494/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302473305&sr=1-1
Editorial Reviews
Review
What morecan a mystery addict desire? (New York Times )
A brilliantly ingenious story. (Dorothy L. Sayers, Daily Herald (UK) )
Need it be saidthe little grey cells solve once more the seemingly insoluble. Mrs Christie makes an improbable tale very real, and keeps her readers enthralled and guessing to the end. (Times Literary Supplement (London) )
[Moves] smoothly and entertainingly to its surprise conclusion. (Chicago Daily Tribune )
Its tempting to say that Agatha Christie is a genius and let it go at that, but the worlds had plenty of geniuses. Agatha Christie is something special. (Lawrence Block, New York Times bestselling author )
Nothing short of swell. [Christie] is probably the best suspicion scatterer and diverter in the business. (New York Herald Tribune )
Product Description
Just after midnight, the famous Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. By morning, the millionaire Samuel Edward Ratchett lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. One of his fellow passengers must be the murderer.
Isolated by the storm, detective Hercule Poirot must find the killer among a dozen of the dead man's enemies, before the murderer decides to strike again.
See all Editorial Reviews
Intelligent. Interesting. Entertaining.
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (224 customer reviews)
http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Orient-Express-Hercule-Mysteries/dp/0062073494/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302473305&sr=1-1
Editorial Reviews
Review
What morecan a mystery addict desire? (New York Times )
A brilliantly ingenious story. (Dorothy L. Sayers, Daily Herald (UK) )
Need it be saidthe little grey cells solve once more the seemingly insoluble. Mrs Christie makes an improbable tale very real, and keeps her readers enthralled and guessing to the end. (Times Literary Supplement (London) )
[Moves] smoothly and entertainingly to its surprise conclusion. (Chicago Daily Tribune )
Its tempting to say that Agatha Christie is a genius and let it go at that, but the worlds had plenty of geniuses. Agatha Christie is something special. (Lawrence Block, New York Times bestselling author )
Nothing short of swell. [Christie] is probably the best suspicion scatterer and diverter in the business. (New York Herald Tribune )
Product Description
Just after midnight, the famous Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. By morning, the millionaire Samuel Edward Ratchett lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. One of his fellow passengers must be the murderer.
Isolated by the storm, detective Hercule Poirot must find the killer among a dozen of the dead man's enemies, before the murderer decides to strike again.
See all Editorial Reviews
Carrie L. (book-muse) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on
The book was well written, and it was interesting to see the thought process behind a detective's mind. It was a good story, but didn't leave you on the edge of your seat by any means.
Megan I. (irishcutie0800) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 23 more book reviews
It's Agatha Christie. Need I say more?
Lisa F. (x0xbookwormx0x) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 100 more book reviews
From Amazon.com:
Murder on the Orient Express is a tour-de-force variation on the theme of the English house-party, gathering a remarkable set of characters, each a secretive soul, for a journey on the fabled Orient Express train as it travels from Istanbul to Paris. On hand to resolve the murder of an American passenger is Hercule Poirot, the dapper Belgian detective, dependent only on his wit, who tucks away obscure, seemingly unrelated minutiae in his facile mind. When he determines that the corpse was a renowned child kidnapper/killer, he begins to wonder about connections between the passengers and the victim. A misplaced button, overheard conversations, a monogrammed handkerchief, and an elusive figure clad in a scarlet kimono all become clues as Hercule Poirot interrogates the snow-trapped travelers and comes to his own conclusions. Murder on the Orient Express, with its skill plot construction, adroit writing, and thought-provoking revelations, reminds us that what is "just" is not always what is legal.
Murder on the Orient Express is a tour-de-force variation on the theme of the English house-party, gathering a remarkable set of characters, each a secretive soul, for a journey on the fabled Orient Express train as it travels from Istanbul to Paris. On hand to resolve the murder of an American passenger is Hercule Poirot, the dapper Belgian detective, dependent only on his wit, who tucks away obscure, seemingly unrelated minutiae in his facile mind. When he determines that the corpse was a renowned child kidnapper/killer, he begins to wonder about connections between the passengers and the victim. A misplaced button, overheard conversations, a monogrammed handkerchief, and an elusive figure clad in a scarlet kimono all become clues as Hercule Poirot interrogates the snow-trapped travelers and comes to his own conclusions. Murder on the Orient Express, with its skill plot construction, adroit writing, and thought-provoking revelations, reminds us that what is "just" is not always what is legal.
Gerhard O. (nccorthu) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 569 more book reviews
First of these I have ever read. Liked it. Kind of a Puzzle in a book form. My father was a fireman on that Train(s) during summer vacations and liked it also. I'll have to read some more of them.
Alice B. reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 3591 more book reviews
Gift Copy! The release of a new film based on Agathe Christie's much lauded mystery was what drove me to read the novel. I recommend the book without reservation. This paperback edition has nice sized type and spacious line spacing. It is also the previously mass-marketed version; on bookshelves now is the current reprint with the cast of the Branagh film on the cover. The story is a quick yet engrossing read. Spoil alert: do yourself a favor and read the novel before seeing any of the filmed versions. Knowing what happens from seeing the film quite diminishes the fun of figuring out the who-done-it along with Poirot. N.B. Of the three films based on Christie's novel (the most recent directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh; the 1974 version starring Albert Finney; and a made for TV production from 2001 with Alfred Molina as Poirot [which I have not seen]), I think the award goes to the Finney.MY greatest pleasure was reading the book.
April D. (knittymama) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 424 more book reviews
My first Agatha Christie book. I am now a Hercule Poirot fan!
Sandra N. (SandyLea) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 183 more book reviews
A classic
Wade T. (bookbear) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 56 more book reviews
A classic...
Elena J. (booknhand) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 20 more book reviews
The actual title of this book is "Murfer in the Calais Coach" - it is the same book as the original British title "Murder of the Orient Express".
Nadine (23dollars) -
I read MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS for this month's Agatha Christie theme in my online book club, The Reading Cove.
Unfortunately, the mystery just never got my interest. I found myself very bored because I didn't really care about the man who was murdered or about finding out whodunnit. You can basically just read the first 50 pages, and then read the last 20 and you've got everything you need to know right there! LOL
I'd recommend AND THEN THERE WERE NONE instead, there's a lot more connecting with the characters in that story. I found it much more engaging than this one.
Unfortunately, the mystery just never got my interest. I found myself very bored because I didn't really care about the man who was murdered or about finding out whodunnit. You can basically just read the first 50 pages, and then read the last 20 and you've got everything you need to know right there! LOL
I'd recommend AND THEN THERE WERE NONE instead, there's a lot more connecting with the characters in that story. I found it much more engaging than this one.
Edward E. reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 10 more book reviews
A classic. Quite excellent.
Jud H. (trekie70) -
A great mystery written in the finest tradition. I had read this book many, many moons ago but enjoyed reading it again. I had forgotten what a great writer Christie was.
Jeremy D. (FivebyFive) reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on + 18 more book reviews
This book is in hardback. This book is purchased from the book bindry I was employed at.
En route to Paris, Belgian detective Hercule Piort has booked winter passage on the fabled Orient Express. Among the curious assortment of fellow passangers, one wealthy American holds a unique distinction: He has been found dead of multiple stab wounds in the night compartment of the Calais coach. By dawn, thirteen travelers, each bearing a secret, will find themselves suspect in the most ingenouis crime Poirot has ever solved...
En route to Paris, Belgian detective Hercule Piort has booked winter passage on the fabled Orient Express. Among the curious assortment of fellow passangers, one wealthy American holds a unique distinction: He has been found dead of multiple stab wounds in the night compartment of the Calais coach. By dawn, thirteen travelers, each bearing a secret, will find themselves suspect in the most ingenouis crime Poirot has ever solved...
Natalie T. (that70sgirl) -
My favorite Christie story EVER
Amber J. reviewed Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, Bk 9) (aka Murder in the Calais Coach) on
Read it so long ago I can't even hardly remember what it was about
