The Murder of Roger Ackroyd / Death in the Clouds

by Agatha Christie

Genres: Mystery, Crime

534 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Agatha 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)

Reviews

[Dave Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only had The Murder of Roger Ackroyd in my particular edition, but it was fabulous, one of the most important Agatha Christie mysteries, and a breakthrough in the genre. Why? Because it not only has unreliable characters who lie and then go back to revise their stories, but the narrator himself is also unreliable. It produces a wonderful last chapter.

Story: When Roger Ackroyd is found murdered in his study, the room is locked, but the window is open. When did he die, and who was the last person to see him alive? Everyone's a possible culprit, most everyone has a secret, and it's just darn lucky that retired Belgian detective Hercule Poirot happens to be visiting the neighboring home.

A great, important detective novel and a must-read for any genre fan.

[Ankan Mitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another masterpiece from Agatha Christie!
The story not only has a challenging plot, but also comprehends a different structure.
And I can now claim in a full satisfied way that Christie nailed it yet again!

[Jessie Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️. Took a minute to get into this one because of the formalities with first and last names and the British accent. Once I got into it, it was hard to put down. A private detective, missing money, a murder and a live action game of clue. Very charming murder mystery!

[Pammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Poirot.
I didn't see that ending coming!

[Entangled]

Absolutely amazing. This is Christie at her best.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps not her most famous or well know works, two good books nonetheless by Agatha Christie

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful

[Sandra Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ending was totally different than I expected but it was disappointing

[Rupa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is was my first book by this author which I decided to read on many recommendations by my friends, and it turned out to be the best mystery book that I have read. Amazing plot and language. I intent on reading many other books by her.

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The undisputed Queen of the who dunnit - although whilst reading I find it hard not to imagine the character of Poirot being anything other than the one faithfully created by David Suchet

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun read! I love reading mysteries during the summer - especially Agatha Chrisie! Kept me guessing all the way to the end - never expected that!

[Julesdalamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent Agatha Christie who-done-it

[Jean West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of my monthly reading club, although I had first read it many years ago. It was definitely worth the reread. No one does mystery quite like Agatha Christie.