Le Meurtre de Roger Ackroyd

Agatha Christie Graphic Novels #8

by Bruno Lachard (Adapter, Illustrator), Agatha Christie

Graphic novel adaptation of THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD.
Un an après avoir perdu son mari dans des circonstances douteuses, Mrs Ferrars est à son tour victime du sort. Suicide ? Empoisonnement ? Lorsque vient le tour de Roger Ackroyd, son présumé amant, le doute n’est plus permis. Le cadavre est retrouvé dans son fauteuil, or la pièce était fermée de l’intérieur… . Hercule Poirot, venu couler une retraite paisible dans ce petit village de Grande-Bretagne, n’hésite pas à endosser à nouveau son costume de détective pour résoudre cette énigme insoluble. Mais pas impossible pour le grand détective !

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Agatha Christie, Graphic Novels, Crime, Comics, Classics

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Miguel Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me habían comentado que era una obra celebré de Agatha. No se habían equivocado.

Un formato muy distinto a lo que había leído de ella, un suspenso tranquilo, que me dejó con más sospecha de lo que me iba a imaginar, contado desde el punto de vista de un personaje.

Muy buen libro de veras, una lectura ligera y una historia muy buena.

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It probably would've been better if I had read the book before this graphic novel. I was lost. It didn't help that I just wasn't interested, so it took me forever (for a comic) to read this. It seemed really jumpy. And two of the characters looked so similar -- I couldn't tell them apart.

[Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

personally I would be soooo angry if I thought I’d gotten away with it and then got hit with the hercule poirot KILL YOURSELF beam. but that’s just me

[Phina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Agatha Christies novel, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, takes us on a journey the the narrator of Dr. Sheppard. If you like books that are mostly dialogue you'll like this. It uses humor and Detective Poirot's natural wit to draw the reader along.
Leading you on by the narrators own interpretations of the cast, you slowly are revealed more and more about the murder. I liked that no one was certainly innocent or guilty, it was impossible to interpret, it ended up being a complete surprise! To try and explain the whole plot would be impossible because its too rich and enticing. Quite honestly, I didn't understand what was happening half the time, but it wrapped itself up at the end. Like any Agatha Christie book everything only becomes clear at the very end. Once the veil was removed you suddenly understand whats happening and looking back the murders actions seem suspicious.
I give this book a 3/5 because I wasn't that impressed with the book. I generally don't read murder novels so maybe thats why I didn't like it. The writing was rather thick and out-dated, but it was good enough to make you wonder who the killer was all along. I admit there where periods when I put the book down for a good two weeks before picking it back up, but that may be because of my lack of motivation.

[Chaitalee Ghosalkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY response to this book was never constant throughout. It began with excitement, more so because I had enjoyed Christie's last book which I had read-The Man in the Brown Suit. Also, the circumstances of the murder which takes place were quite fascinating.

However, then Hercule Poirot entered the picture. Somehow, I've never warmed up to Christie's detective; he goes on about just gleaning facts, never revealing if a clue has been dropped. Is is acceptable for a Sherlock Holmes, but through Poirot, it becomes a tad bit annoying.

And so by the second last chapter, I was ready to categorize this book amongst the ones which I've not enjoyed reading. Even so, I kept an eye half open, because facts came tumbling out-they were still discreet of course.

But in the second last chapter Christie zoomed back in with a clever twist. That, and the way the book ended made me forget my earlier misgiving about the book.

A good read is how I would summarize this one.

[Lakshmi Sindhura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent writing. I was amazed with the climax twist. Felt an urge to read it again.

[Ray Palen · Rating 5 out of 5]

2023 Edition with new Foreward from Ruth Ware

[milton.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 56-page graphic novel adaptation of Agatha Christie's famous book of the same name.

Just picked it from the library for the single most reason that graphic novels excite me. Big mistake. Some of the works should be read in a book-only way. This is one of those, if not all of the other books too, I presume.

Positives:
*Single-tone images for flashback scenes/recreations.
*56 pages felt decent length for a graphic novel with this story.

Negatives:
*Some of the characters looked similar and it was frustratingly confusing to decide who was who, spoiling the thrill.
*At times I was feeling lost, probably I felt some books shouldn't be made as graphic novels. Maybe the lack of depth into characters makes us feel lost.

I totally recommend reading the original books. Believe me, the Wikipedia plot felt better than this read.

Author: Agatha Christie
Illustrations: Bruno Lachard
Colour: Ongalro
Rented from: City Central Library, Kadri, Mangaluru.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5

[Bismay Mohanty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that will make you fall in love with detective fiction

[Jacqie · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know that old saying about how the golden age for reading science fiction is 12? I think that might be the case for me and Agatha Christie. When I was younger and had not read so much mystery fiction I probably would have like this book just fine. I also have to remind myself that almost a hundred years after the book was written, the tropes that I see were much fresher and the humor sharper. So it's difficult to rate this book. Just thinking about how much I enjoyed it, it's probably about a 2. But I'll elevate the book one star for the fact that I know it's at a disadvantage with me as a more jaded reader.

I think I'm not especially fond of Christie's style. So much emphasis on timetables (most of which are done by assumptions which prove wrong, to my lack of surprise) and when windows were locked or unlocked, so nitpicky, and in my opinion ultimately unimportant. Most of the clues are just there to distract you and mislead you anyway.

I liked Caroline and did not dislike Poirot. Everyone else I could take or leave, but there certainly ended up being a lot of intrigue going on at the house of Roger Ackroyd! Almost an unbelievable amount.

And as for the "playing fair" bit regarding the murderer. I suppose I can't be too mad at Christie- if you read the narration carefully, there are small clues in a couple of places as to deception being practiced. And a lot of people seem to be delighted by the twist. I was initially decidedly undelighted- more like disgruntled. I can forgive her for it, I guess, since technically she did leave evidence of what she was doing, but I didn't really like it and felt that she was messing with me for most of the book. And unfairly, since the only data I had to go on was what she gave me.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her captivating “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,” renowned writer Agatha Christie offers up yet another timeless wonder in the world of Murder/Mystery. In the quaint English town of King’s Abbot, where two major families preside and everyone knows anyone’s business at any time of the day, it is no surprise that this peace-loving community is shaken to its foundations when Mrs. Ferrars, the presiding dowager of King’s Paddock, succumbs to what appears to be an overdose of sleeping medicine. As if this wasn’t enough to keep the populace sufficiently mesmerized, that very night, one Roger Ackroyd, lord and master of the Fernly Park estate, is viciously murdered in his own home. Panic and grief run rampant until, that is, his young niece brings the case to the attention of Mr. Hercule Poirot, detective extraordinaire. With barely a blink of the eye, our beloved Belgian leaps into the mess with both feet, quickly discovering that everyone had some reason or another to want the kind-hearted sir removed from the equation. With nothing but method, order, and his little gray cells, Monsieur Poirot separates fact from fiction, culminating in the most eye-popping reveal ever to hit the printed page. So, without further ado, I eagerly invite you to partake of this most memorable read.

[odina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really gripping read for me. Although I already had an inkling as to who the murderer was before the pieces started to fit (probably because of all the hype built up around the book so I just had to go with my wildest guess), the experience of finally being told who murdered Roger Ackroyd was only very minutely tainted for me.

Everything reads like a game of Clue. You get handed the facts and are given the liberty to form your own hypotheses from them. From this experience, I am definitely going to be reading her other novels.

Miss Agatha Christie, you have yourself another fan.

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the book was relatively short, I enjoyed it. I like mystery books because they keep the reader involved and have the reading working to solve it. Similar to Life of Pi, you have to make connections chapter to chapter. The way suspense is built was good, and the plot twists helped along the plot.

[Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of murder mysteries, but this is a step above all others I have read to date. I am entirely amazed at how Agatha Christie can create such an enticing, confusing, and clever mystery in such a concise and enjoyable way. This is one of my favourite books I've read in a while. I highly recommend it.

[Ranjinih · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one tempting me to a lot to read because of the thrill it went with.And i guessed the murder in the Starting itself.,even though i guessed.,the situations in the story made me to read further that how he did and for wat cause..good one

[Jayati sinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

awsome book !!

unpredictable ending !

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, unfortunately I was told the plot twist only a few chapters in. Great book if you like story twists and suspense

[Pik Yin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant! however, the story behind the crime is not as interesting as others.

[Arghakusum Das]

Agatha Christie has the exceptional talent of turning a simple story into a very wonderful and gripping one ..

[Beth Younge · Rating 3 out of 5]

This graphic novel is a charming little book but i thought some of the characters lacked the tension that was in the first one but it was still light hearted fun.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh.. nice short graphic novel

[Matt Diaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright, but better than I expected. However, I'm not a huge fan of murder mysteries.

[Vatsal Pathak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A master piece in mystery from it's time.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a Poirot mystery.  One of the characters, Caroline, was an early version of Miss Marple.

Roger Ackroyd is a rich man who lives in a large house along with his widowed sister in law and her daughter, his private secretary, a butler, a housekeeper and a chambermaid.  The house is presently being visited by a Major.

The narrator is Doctor Shepherd who lives in the village along with his sister Caroline.  Dr Shepherd is, at the commencement of the story, dealing with the apparent suicide of Mrs Ferrars.  We learn that Mrs Ferrars was likely to have been soon married to Roger Ackroyd.  Her own husband died a year ago and rumour is (so the village gossip Caroline informs) that she murdered him, though it was treated as suicide.

Roger Ackroyd is beside himself and calls for Dr Shepherd to dine with him that night urgently as he wishes to speak with him.  He tells Dr Shepherd after dinner that he is convinced that Mrs Ferrars would not have left without communicating with him and, indeed, as they are talking the evening post arrives and Ackroyd finds a letter from her.  Ferrars had, the previous day, told Ackroyd that she had indeed murdered her husband which he found difficult to comprehend and he is now devastated that her response to this was to kill herself.  In the letter she reveals that she is being blackmailed but at the crucial moment, the moment of revealing who by, Ackroyd breaks off and says that he should deal with this in confidence and asks the Doctor to leave.  The Doctor begs him to reveal the criminal but this just makes Ackroyd all the more stubborn.

On the walk home the doctor meets a stranger looking for the house and gives him directions.  Shortly after reaching home the Doctor receives a phone call and returns to the house informing the Butler that he had received a call from him saying Ackroyd had been murdered. The butler denied making the call and denied that this could be the case.  They break the door to Ackroyd's study down and find him dead in his chair, stabbed with his own knife.

The police are called.

It turns out that Monsieur Poirot has moved next door to the doctor and as he is retired has not corrected the public on their identifying him by the name of PORROT.  The day after the murder Ackroyds niece persuade Dr Shepherd to visit the great detective with her and urge him to take the case.

They go and he takes the case.

The rest is the story.  Poirot works though the occupants of the house speaking to each one and piecing together a time line until eventually he holds a late night meeting at his house where he reveals the killers details.

Den den den.

So far I would say this was my favourite Agatha Christie though definitely Crooked House is also excellent.  The characters are so very good and I can hear them speak so clearly in my head.  This was a clever story and the planning is just meticulous.  The stories of each character are so cleverly interwoven with each other that frankly you don't have a chance of guessing.  Honestly, just read and enjoy!

[Roseanne Russ · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title states its a story of the murder of Roger Ackroyd. The famous detective Hercule after retirement has been thrust into another case having to deal with his neighbors and the entire book is all about these little clues and confessions eventually lead to the murderer. As per Agatha Christis writing, she draws you in just enough to get you hooked on the story without giving away too much. I appreciated how all the clues were given to the reader for them to piece together but (to me) couldnt figure now they fit together until Hurcule explained it in the end and then you notices how all the other subtle pieces, a word here or a mentioned statement there played such a vital in completing the puzzle

I think the main reason why this is one of Agathas most famous work is her use of the unreliable narrator which you do not realize till the very end even the clues where presented to you through out the novel. As readers, we absent-mindedly put our trust in the person telling the story taking their word as 100% accurate.

The way doctor Sheppard described the case, interjecting his feelings, his opinions, the shocks and gasps at the appropriate timing give me at utter surprise at the end to find out the he was indeed the killer. It was hard to imagine that the person who you followed through the entire novel, even when the main characters wernt there), talking about his relationship with his sister and patients is the person who could be keeping secrets especially since we were "with" him the whole time.

I gave the book 4 start because although I loved the twist and turns and the book was generally very well written it wasnt (for me) as a page turner as I would give a 5 star book. For me, you turned the pages of this book mainly for curiosity's sake rather than for heartracing excitement or need to know.

[Pippa Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 Reasons this book is classic Christie.
See if you agree...and add your thoughts below.

1) This book was written 100 years ago...and yet it is as evergreen as if newly published. And I'm not alone in this. In 2013 the British Crime Writers Association voted "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" as the best crime novel ever.
2) Oh those summerhouses, drawing rooms, butlers, and doctors making house calls. Such a wonderful evocation of a time gone by when summer lasted forever.
3) Christie doesn't rely on a high body count to keep the reader interested. The peculiarities of Poirot are a delight in themselves...and when it looked like Captain Hastings had been superseded by Dr Sheppard...that was an intrigue of its own
4) Classic Christie characters. Take, for example, Caroline - a minor character but with razor-sharp observational skills and what feels to me like a prototype Miss Marple. Christie makes sure that even lesser characters live and breath, a testament to the great author she is.
5) That twist at the end! I didn't see it coming. So clever. And a sensation in its day. Indeed, it has been said in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd a new style of murder mystery was created, a type of story telling that was a major influence in crime novels to come.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

I MUST SAY I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!

*Spoilers*

She left clues, but like usual I did not pick up on them. I also don't get the ending....

I thought it was Ralph all along but no... I never thought or saw Ralph and Ursula coming nor did I think Flora didn't really love him. It's good she ends up with and loves Major Blunt even though he seems a lot older. What is all Flora's talk about loving Ralph? I had my suspicions on everyone else, stronger ones. Not on Doctor Sheppard! What a betrayal. I thought it was Parker than not.

I saw the weird set out of the story but didn't think it a case of Unreliable Narration

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd suppose everyone knows about this one, but I'll tag this with spoilers, just in case. An heir is murdered mysteriously in his own home library, and Poirot, who has retired to the country (which I guess he does often) is called to the case. Even though I know the ending -- it's famous -- the real enjoyment in this one is how Christie and her very unreliable narrator hide the secret from the reader, all, even though the clues give it away. I don't think I've read her in decades, but I really enjoyed this novel.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was not a whole lot of dialogue, I’d say it was 50/50 dialogue to mise en scene. The art was pretty basic, and it was the size of the people (skinny, not skinny) and the hair colour that helped you to distinguish the characters.

Was a smart mystery, though the denouement was a little rushed. I’d be interested to see the difference in the novel versus the graphic novel, but I don’t think I care enough to read the novel now.

[Ellen Switzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a little harder to follow (but in a fun way?) due to an unreliable and somewhat sinister narrator. Without spoiling, this story involves secret engagements, possible suicides, blackmail, poison, missing persons, and of course, murder. While much more windy, this is incredibly fun to untwist and untangle. I would recommend reading this one a bit slower than some of Christie’s other works.