As an avid reader who has listened to innumerable audiobooks, I just discovered a treasure that I simply had to share. “The Mystery of the Blue Train” by Agatha Christie piqued my interest not just because of its intriguing title, but also because I am a huge fan of Hercule Poirot mysteries. After enjoying “Murder on the Orient Express,” I was excited to read another Christie story involving a beautiful train and a thrilling mystery. This review of “The Mystery of the Blue Train” is one of my most recent deep dives into great mysteries, and it will not be the last. Here’s what makes this book so engaging.
Plot Summary
“The Mystery of the Blue Train” takes readers on a voyage on the sumptuous Blue Train, which runs from London to the French Riviera. The plot focuses on the murder of Ruth Kettering, a rich American heiress, and the theft of her valuable jewels, including the famous ruby known as the “Heart of Fire.”
Ruth Kettering’s life is far from ideal, despite her money. She is unhappily married to Derek Kettering, who is more concerned with his extramarital escapades than with his wife. Ruth intends to leave her husband and meet her lover, the Comte de la Roche, in the south of France. However, catastrophe comes when Ruth is discovered dead in her compartment, her face horrifically mutilated, and her prized jewelry gone.
Hercule Poirot, the renowned Belgian detective, happened to be on the same train. Rufus Van Aldin, Ruth’s father, appoints Poirot to investigate the murder. As Poirot investigates the case, he finds a labyrinth of deception, jealousy, and greed, which eventually takes him to the murderer.
Characters:
- Hercule Poirot: The legendary Belgian detective is recognized for his quick brain and rigorous tactics.
- Ruth Kettering: The tragic American heiress whose murder puts the plot in action.
- Derek Kettering: Ruth’s estranged husband, a leading suspect because to his possible financial benefit from Ruth’s murder.
- Rufus Van Aldin, Ruth’s affluent father, engages Poirot to investigate the murder.
- Katherine Grey: A freshly rich young lady who meets Ruth on the train and gets interested in the case.
- Comte Armand de la Roche, Ruth’s French lover, is accused of being implicated in her murder.
- Mirelle: A Parisian dancer and Derek’s lover, who adds another layer of intricacy to the investigation.
- Major Richard Knighton: Van Aldin’s secretary, whose allegiance and motivations are questioned.
Chapter Summaries
Chapters 1–3: Setting the Stage
The tale opens with an introduction to the Blue Train and its lavish surroundings. Ruth Kettering gets the “Heart of Fire” ruby from her father and takes the train to leave her difficult marriage. We also meet Katherine Grey, who has inherited a fortune and is heading to the Riviera.
Chapters 4–6: The Murder
During the drive, Ruth tells Katherine about her marital problems and intends to see her boyfriend. Ruth is discovered slain the following morning, with her face unrecognizable and the ruby removed. Poirot starts his inquiry by interrogating the train’s crew and passengers.
Chapters 7-9: The investigation begins
Poirot finds a cigarette case with the initial ‘K’ in Ruth’s compartment, which leads him to suspect Derek. Ada Mason, Ruth’s maid, thinks she saw a guy enter Ruth’s compartment, adding to the mystery. Poirot’s inquiry finds a number of suspects with various motivations.
Chapters 10–12: Uncovering Secrets
As Poirot investigates more, he discovers more about Ruth’s friendship with the Comte de la Roche and Derek’s romance with Mirelle. He also finds that Richard Knighton paid Derek a visit before to the expedition, which adds to the mystery.
Chapter 13-15: Clues and Red Herrings
Poirot obtains further clues and interviews several persons, all of whom provide contradicting recollections of the murder night. Katherine Grey supports Poirot by remembering key information about the passengers’ conversations.
Chapters 16–18: The Puzzle Pieces Fit
Poirot’s systematic approach begins to pay off as he connects the connections between the suspects, the stolen ruby, and Ruth’s death. He identifies the genuine nature of the characters’ connections and potential motivations.
Chapters 19–21: Re-enactment
In traditional Christie style, Poirot staged a re-enactment of the incident onboard the Blue Train, hoping to catch the culprit off guard. This leads to a dramatic revelation in which the genuine perpetrator is revealed.
Chapter 22-24: The Resolution
Poirot describes how he solved the case, going over the facts and psychological insights that lead him to the perpetrator. The tale finishes with justice administered and the characters reflecting on the events that have occurred.
Analysis and Comparison
“The Mystery of the Blue Train” is comparable to “Murder on the Orient Express,” notably in its location onboard a luxury train and complex narrative involving several suspects. While “Orient Express” is a masterclass in communal guilt and moral complexity, “Blue Train” is more of a straight-forward whodunit, with an emphasis on individual avarice and treachery.
Christie’s hatred for the work, as revealed in her autobiography, contrasts with the book’s overall response by readers and reviewers, who praise its rich atmosphere and sophisticated storyline. The book also introduces aspects that would become commonplace in her subsequent works, such as the imaginary community of St. Mary Mead and recurrent characters such as Mr. Goby.
Conclusion
Despite being one of Agatha Christie’s least favorite works, “The Mystery of the Blue Train” is an engaging and entertaining mystery. It demonstrates Poirot’s logical skill while weaving a complicated story of love, treachery, and money. For aficionados of classic mysteries, this book is a must-read, offering an intriguing peek into Christie’s maturing narrative skill.
