THE ABC MURDERS

A Report By M.Varnitha
 Title:
THE ABC MURDERs
ABC Murders is a work of
detective fiction by British Author:
writer Agatha Christie,featuring Agatha Christie
her characters Hercule Poirot,
Arthur Hastings and Chief
Inspector Japp, as they Published date:
contend with a series of killings 6 january 1936
by a mysterious murderer
known only as "A.B.C.".
Gener:
Crime/detective
 About the author
● Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie 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. Educated at home
by her mother, Christie began writing detective fiction while working as a
nurse during World War I. Her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles
 (1920), introduced Hercule Poirot, her eccentric and egotistic Belgian
detective; Poirot reappeared in about 25 novels and many short stories
before returning to Styles, where, in Curtain (1975), he died. The elderly
spinster Miss Jane Marple, her other principal detective figure, first appeared
in Murder at the Vicarage (1930).
:
 Born: 15 September
Christie’s first major recognition came with The Murder of Roger 1890
Ackroyd (1926), which was followed by some 75 novels that usually
made best-seller lists and were serialized in popular magazines in  Died: 12 January
England and the United States. In 1926 Christie’s mother died, 1976
and her husband, Colonel Archibald Christie, requested a divorce. In
a move she never fully explained, Christie disappeared and, after SOME FAMOUS
several highly publicized days, was discovered registered in a hotel NOVELS
under the name of the woman her husband wished to marry. In
1930 Christie married the archaeologist Sir Max Mallowan;
thereafter she spent several months each year on expeditions in 
Iraq and Syria with him. She also wrote romantic nondetective
novels, such as Absent in the Spring (1944), under the pseudonym
Mary Westmacott. Her Autobiography (1977) appeared
posthumously. She was created a Dame Commander of the Order of
the British Empire in 1971.
SUMMARY
When Alice Asher is murdered in Andover, Hercule Poirot is already looking into the
clues. A is for Mrs. Ascher – fatally attacked in Andover. B is for Betty Barnard –
strangled on the beach in Bexhill. C is for Sir Carmichael Clarke – now a corpse in
Churston. If nothing else, the murderer knew is ABCs.  But the alphabetical assassin
would need to know more that to outwit the world’s cleverest detective…Hercule
Poirot!. This is another Agatha Christie  story I have read, a perfect book for me.
This was also my first crime novel that I read ,most of them I prefered to watch . It
was refreshing to have a main character, the dapper Poirot, instead of some gritty
detective with emotional problems. Poirot is brilliant, polished, and funny. He’s even
well-adjusted. I also appreciated the fact that the story was told from the perspective
of Poirot’s friend, Captain Hastings, it turend out to be more inresting than I
thought
The story twitches on with the arrival of a teasing letter at Poirot’s home. It cautions of
something happening in Andover on a specific day. When Alice Ascher is found dead, it’s
palpable that the murderer is engaged in a lethal game with Poirot. The cast of
characters keeps expanding as more murders occur, including family members and distraught
boyfriends. Although everyone is a suspect, there are mysterious chapters interspersed
throughout the book that feature a strange man named Alexander Bonaparte Cust…A.B.C.
Who is this man? What is his connection to the murders?
As the police are scrambling to try to find A.B.C. and to prevent these murders from
happening on their appointed days, Poirot is using all his mental powers to try and figure
out why these murders are happening. Even when it seems that the case is all locked up,
Poirot still tries to understand the underlying reasons behind the crimes. It is this reason
that finally blows the case wide open and provides a stunning twist at the end.
This book is a classic of Christie’s and really demonstrates her skills as  the premier mystery
writer. It will obviously appeal to all mystery fiction fans, but also to anyone who is
curious about this classic genre. I am looking forward to reading more of Christie’s books,
and especially those featuring this comically brilliant detective.
PLOT
Where did it happen?
● The story starts with Hastings meeting Poirot after almost a year. They receive a cryptic
and sinister letter from an A.B.C., who hints that he will commit a murder in Andover.
Poirot becomes upset and informs Japp about the date the murder will occur. Later, a small
tobacco shop owner named Alice Ascher gets bludgeoned to death in her own shop in
Andover. ABC has also left an ABC railway guide, showing the Andover location.
● The investigation progress given from Hastings's diary is followed by description of life of an
Alexander Bonaparte Cust. Contrary to his pompous name, Cust has not tasted real success.
He was briefly drafted in military, where a blow to his head made him prone to blackouts
and headaches. Due to his condition, now Cust has taken a job of travelling salesman, who
sells stockings. While Poirot is investigating Alice's murder, Cust marks the Andover
destination in his map.
 Main Characters

Herclue poriot Franklin Clarke Inspector Japp Hastings

Renowned Belgian The killer of the case. Sir Poirot's old friend in Poirot's old friend and
detective, involved in Carmichael's aggrieved
Scotland Yard, and the companion on the case.
investigating the serial younger brother and his
immediate successor. A member
chief investigating He is also the narrator
killings by A.B.C., due to
of the Legion assisting officer into the serial of the novel.
letters received from him.
Poirot in the investigation, killings
responsible for inspiring
Poirot to form the group.
 Review

This a perfect book for readers who like crime and suspense gener .
I totally recommand this book . Highly entertaining, and once again,
highly recommended.