Book 13 of the Hercule Poirot Series
Hercule Poirot has received a mysterious letter penned by someone who refers to himself as ABC. He writes details about a murder that will take place in a few days time. When Alice Asher, a shop owner, is found murdered in Andover, Poirot and Hastings go to Andover to investigate. The local police is certain the woman was murdered by her estranged husband. However, Poirot doesn’t think so after he finds the ABC rail guide in Alice’s store.
Soon after Betty Barnard, a waitress, is found murdered on the beach in Bexhill. Here the police suspects her fiance. The third victim is Sir Carmichael Clarke in Churston, who is found dead in his house. Next to these bodies, an ABC guide is found as well. (And Poirot received a letter ahead of time too).
Poirot receives a fourth letter saying the next murder will take place in Doncaster. Poirot and Hastings travel to Doncaster for the St Leger Stakes race meeting in the hope to catch the killer before he can strike again. Will they be able to stop the ABC killer?
Agatha Christie’s murder mysteries are timeless – okay, the language is a little dated, but this one was first published in 1936, so this is not strange. Many people chuckle when one of the characters ejaculates a sentence. Other than that, they are very entertaining. Poirot is an exceptional detective but also a bit full of himself. Nonetheless, a very enjoyable read!
Read for the ShelfReflection Reading Challenge 2026
Prompt 25: A book without swearing
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
