THE MYSTERY OF THE BLUE TRAIN(Annotated & Illustrated Edition)
by Agatha Christie
Annotated & Illustrated by Ralph Don
All aboard for a thrilling journey of murder, deceit, and stolen jewels on the luxurious Blue Train, now presented in an annotated and illustrated edition—immerse yourself in Agatha Christie’s classic whodunit, featuring Hercule Poirot’s meticulous "little grey cells" in a glamorous, high-stakes international mystery.
Agatha Christie’s The Mystery of the Blue Train, published in 1928, is a quintessential Golden Age mystery that transports readers from the opulent carriages of a European express to the sun-drenched French Riviera. The plot unfolds after the brutal murder of Ruth Kettering, a wealthy American heiress, found dead in her compartment aboard the prestigious Blue Train, which is carrying her new and famously valuable ruby, "Heart of Fire." Coincidentally, the renowned Belgian detective Hercule Poirot finds himself on the same train, drawn into the tangled web of suspects, motives, and red herrings. Among the diverse cast are Ruth’s estranged husband, a mysterious French count, a charming English socialite, an adventurous young woman named Katherine Grey who inherits a sudden fortune, and a cunning international criminal. Christie masterfully constructs a complex puzzle involving disguises, hidden identities, and a carefully orchestrated plot, showcasing Poirot at his analytical best as he meticulously sifts through every clue to uncover the truth behind the murder and the jewel theft. This novel, while written during a challenging period for Christie, demonstrates her resilience and unwavering ability to deliver a captivating and intricately plotted mystery. This special edition invites readers to engage deeply with the text, uncovering layers of meaning through thoughtful commentary and captivating visuals.
This Annotated & Illustrated Edition
The complete original text of the novel, structured into its intriguing chapters, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in Christie’s glamorous mystery and Hercule Poirot’s sharp deductions.
Striking original full-page illustrations that vividly bring to life the opulent train interiors, the beautiful landscapes of the French Riviera, the dramatic crime scenes, and the memorable cast of characters.
A compelling introduction, "Why you should read The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie?," exploring the novel’s glamorous setting, its classic intrigue, and Hercule Poirot’s prominent role in solving the multi-layered murder.
An insightful Agatha Christie, "The Quiet Queen of Crime," revealing the fascinating life of the world’s best-selling novelist, her unparalleled genius for plot construction, and her enduring legacy as the master of the detective genre.
A detailed Cast of Characters to help readers keep track of the interwoven lives and potential suspects, enhancing the puzzle-solving experience.
A comprehensive Glossary for The Mystery of the Blue Train to help modern readers navigate specific early 20th-century European cultural references, railway travel details, and the subtle nuances of language that enrich the novel’s atmosphere.
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.