Murder on the Orient Express is a classic detective novel by Agatha Christie, and it is one of the entries in her famous Hercule Poirot series. Set in the winter of the 1930s, the story takes place on the luxurious Orient Express, a train traveling from Istanbul (now Istanbul, Turkey) to Calais, France, crossing through Europe. The train is lavishly decorated, with top-notch service, attracting a diverse array of passengers.
Hercule Poirot, who is traveling on the train, becomes involved when a wealthy American named Samuel Ratchett is found murdered, stabbed multiple times. Poirot is asked to investigate the complex case.
As Poirot questions each passenger on the train, he discovers that they all have their own secrets and potential motives. As the investigation progresses, Poirot learns that the victim, Ratchett (whose real name is Cassetti), was previously involved in a notorious kidnapping case and had received threats. The murder seems to be connected to this more intricate backstory.
Eventually, Poirot reveals the true motive and the secret behind the murder. It turns out that Ratchett (Cassetti) was involved in a kidnapping case years earlier, where the victim was a girl named Daisy Armstrong, whose death led to the collapse of her family. The truth behind the murder is that all the passengers on the train are actually relatives of the Armstrong case victims. They had conspired together to take revenge on Ratchett. The case thus becomes a complex moral dilemma involving justice and retribution.
Hercule Poirot is the protagonist of the novel, a highly intelligent Belgian detective known for his sharp observational skills and deductive reasoning. Samuel Ratchett, the victim, is a wealthy American businessman who turns out to be Cassetti, a figure involved in the infamous kidnapping case. Other passengers include a range of characters, such as a recently returned military officer, a young actress and her governess, and a retired doctor, each with their own hidden secrets.
Murder on the Orient Express is widely regarded as a classic in detective fiction, known for its intricate plot and surprising conclusion, which are well-received by readers and critics alike. The novel has been adapted into films, television series, and stage plays multiple times. Notable adaptations include the 1974 film directed by Sidney Lumet and the 2017 film directed by Kenneth Branagh. Due to its unique plot and excellent construction, Murder on the Orient Express has left a significant mark in literature and popular culture, making it a must-read for mystery enthusiasts.
