Review: The Mystery of the Blue Train

The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A complicated plot with many solid suspects and tons of odd little facts being squirreled away by Poirot.  I have read a lot of Christie mysteries and I always forget to watch for the inconsistencies pointed out about characters who can't possibly be involved in the crime. Inevitably those people are the perpetrators, but I get so pulled into the sordid affairs of the obvious suspects that I neglect to watch closely. 

There is an excellent example of a cranky old lady in this novel, Miss Viner. I really think that no one can craft a better old lady than Christie. Her summaries of the characters of people are also wonderful.

"There is something queer about Derek. All the family are a bit potty--mad gamblers, you know. In the old days they used to gamble away their wives and their estates, and did the most reckless things just for the love of it. Derek would have mad a perfect highwayman--debonair and gay, just the right manner." (p.118)

My only quibble with the novel is that Hastings and Japp appear only as brief references.  A solid example of Hercule Poirot at his most brilliant and ridiculous. 

This book counts toward the Colorful Reading Challenge and the Vintage Mystery Challenge (in the category of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles).