Book Description
Bound for the Riviera on Le Train Bleu, Hercule Poirot stumbles upon the body of an American heiress, murdered in her luxury compartment.
But her secrets have never been more alive.
"Masterly." (Times Literary Supplement)
"A truly honorable thriller in the classic tradition. (New York Herald Tribune)
Agatha Christie is still considered the undisputed queen of crime.
Customer Reviews:
Great Writer, Poor Book.......2007-09-28
There's an old saying "Even Homer nods". Agatha Christie's nod was "The Mystery of the Blue Train".
The plot manages to be both weak and overly complicated; it is 'fair play' but just barely. The characters are not up to Christie's usual standards, but they are not too bad. The pace of the story is awful -- not just slow, but aimless, and totally lacking in humor -- in a word 'flat'. My guess is Miss Christie had a good short story but had to produce a novel; and so she strung it out.
I've read and re-read all Agatha Christie's novels and short stories, and in my opinion she is the best detective story writer ever. Sadly "The Mystery of the Blue Train" is not Christie at her best, or even at her good.
Christie did a much better job on The Orient Express.......2007-02-22
An heiress murdered, her newly acquired rubies stolen, a lover, estranged husband & mistress, a young girl who has inherited money and Poirot all get entangled in the affair; it's a mess. MURDER ON THE BLUE TRAIN plods along at a snail's pace and it is actually a pleasure to reach the end. The murder victim doesn't earn our compassion or contempt, the side trips into the life of our newly moneyed young heroine are tedious and Poirot muddles through without his usual aplomb. Even when the killer is revealed, it lacks the usual drama of Poirot's theatrics; it's almost an afterthought. Christie does a much better job when she puts Poirot on the Orient Express.
My happiness for having acquired this best seller.......2007-01-05
I was so pleased to find The Mystery of th Blue Train, by Agatha Christie, in english version, and to get it so quickly that I can't do anything else than thanks amazone for its outstanding presence on the web !
Far from the best.......2006-05-07
Most Hercule Poirot mysteries start off at a brisk pace then take off on a dead run. Blue Train starts promisingly, but it then begins to meander about as though Christie really wasn't certain where she wanted to go. For much of the first third of the book, one is treated to a sort of Victorian potboiler, with all manner of soap-opera characters coming and going. When the murder finally occurs, it is a positive relief that something has actually happened. Regrettably, it's the last thing that happens for quite a while.
Even the mystery itself is unengaging. The perpetrator is reasonably obvious, and most of the story from the point of the murder onward is geared to try to deflect the reader.
But, stil, this is Hercule Poirot, who is as always engaging, urbane, witty, and wildly egotistical in turn. He can be charming or bullying when dealing with witnesses or the official police. The passages where he appears rescue this story from being totally boring. Unfortunately, Poirot appears less here than in other stories. If you want to have read all the Poirot stories, then you need this book. If you're looking for a typically engagin Poirot story, give this one a miss.
Train Travel with Agatha Christie........2005-05-11
Luxury trains travelling to holiday resorts provided an irresistible setting for novelists and filmmakers in the decades between the two world wars. Agatha Christie's 1928 murder mystery features the Blue Train, travelling across France to the Riviera, and a cast of travelers that includes Hercule Poirot.
There has to be motivation for the murder that occurs, and so expect a lot of business concerning precious jewels, international intrigues and complicated human relationships. There is also a former lady's companion who has lived for several years at that famous Christie location, St Mary Mead. She is not Miss Marple.
Agatha Christie considered this her worst novel. Coloring her judgment were recollections of several unhappy events in her own life that occurred during the time she wrote it: the breakdown of her Christie marriage and the death of her mother. I think its best quality is the considerable exposure it gives to Hercule Poirot. Seldom is he seen in the pages of an Agatha Christie novel as much as in "The Mystery of the Blue Train".
Book Description
Bound for the Riviera, detective Hercule Poirot has boarded Le Train Bleu, an elegant, leisurely means of travel, free of intrigue. Then he meets Ruth Kettering. The American heiress—bailing out of a doomed marriage—is en route to reconcile with her former lover. But by morning, her private affairs are made public when she is found murdered in her luxury compartment. The rumour of a strange man loitering in the victim's shadow is all Poirot has to go on. Until Mrs. Kettering's secret life begins to unfold...
Customer Reviews:
Christie's least favorite and deservedly so.......2007-06-22
The Mystery of the Blue Train begins with the story of an American millionaire obtaining a set of unique rubies despite the attempted interference of a mysterious criminal. From there we meet the millionaire's daughter Ruth and her no-good husband. The story is a bit of a soap opera involving infidelity on both sides, proposed divorce, blackmail, and various other unpleasantness. Later a woman is introduced who has recently inherited a large sum of money. After following her story for a bit, most of the cast boards the Blue Train (along with Poirot) where Ruth is murdered and the rubies stolen.
It is worth noting that the murder does not occur until page 100 and that we see very little of Poirot until then. For that matter, we don't see nearly as much of Poirot after the murder as we typically would. To be sure, there are the typical interviews with suspects but far more time is spent following the other characters around France and England than you would normally expect. This change might be welcome if the characters were interesting, or if the space given to them resulted in real growth and development, or if just about anything noteworthy happened at all. Unfortunately, they mostly seem to listlessly wander about mouthing inanities and doing very little of consequence.
When Poirot at last solves the case, it is much more of a relief to be done with this book than it is satisfying to learn the answer to the crime. This book is such a poor effort that I can scarcely believe Dame Christie really wrote it. The structure feels like she meant it to be a standalone mystery like And Then There Were None rather than a Poirot novel and then perhaps the author changed her mind at the last minute and grafted the little Belgian in to very poor effect. It also feels much more like a crude first draft than a finished novel from a great writer. All the extra space given to the cast is wasted since they all remain little more than cardboard and the story is equally bland. I have greatly enjoyed some of the Poirot novels I've read but this one should be avoided by all but the most devout Poirot completist.
Agatha never liked this one, but the rest of us do!.......2007-02-03
Agatha, in her autobiography, said she never knew why people liked this book.
It was a charming adventure--great for Agatha fans.
Average customer rating:
|
The Mystery of the Blue Train
Agatha Christie
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Teens
| Subjects
| Books
| Authors, A-Z
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Health, Mind & Body
| History & Historical Fiction
| Horror
| Literature & Fiction
| Manga
| Mysteries
| Reference
| Religion & Spirituality
| School & Sports
| Science & Technology
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Series
| Social Issues
Mysteries, Espionage, & Detectives
| Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Christie, Agatha
| ( C )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Paperback
| Christie, Agatha
| ( C )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Mysteries, Espionage, & Detectives
| Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror
| Literature
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Christie, Agatha
| ( C )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Paperback
| Christie, Agatha
| ( C )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Death on the Nile (Hercule Poirot Mysteries)
-
Cards on the Table (A Hercule Poirot Mystery)
-
Lord Edgware Dies
-
At Bertram's Hotel (Miss Marple Mysteries)
-
Peril at End House (Hercule Poirot Mysteries)
ASIN: 0425210782 |
Book Description
On the luxurious Blue Train, beautiful American heiress Ruth Kettering's dire predictions come true-she's murdered. With few clues, Hercule Poirot must look into Ruth's startling secret life.
Product Description
multiple books ship as one item. save on shipping/handling charges.
Average customer rating:
|
Blaue Express/the Mystery of the Blue Train
Agatha Christie
Manufacturer: Distribooks Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Christie, Agatha
| ( C )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Paperback
| Christie, Agatha
| ( C )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
German
| Foreign Language Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 3502513872 |
Product Description
First 7 Hercule Poirot Mysteries - Mysterious Affair At Styles - Murder on the Links - Poirot Investigates - Murder of Roger Ackroyd - Big Four - Mystery of the Blue Train - Peril At End House
Book Description
But her success as a bestselling author of sexy historical romances had cost Rita Bellamy her marriage -- and jeopardized her relationships with her three grown children. Two years after her divorce, Rita was still blaming herself -- though she knew her ambition was not the only reason her marriage had failed. Her saving grace was her writing. While working on her latest epic at her lakeside cottage in Pennsylvania, with only a typewriter and sleeping bag for company, she decided it was time to really live her own life -- to furnish her place her way, to demand her children's respect, and to take a second chance on love....
Based on true life experience, All She Can Be is Fern Michaels at her best -- the deeply heartfelt story of a woman struggling to find happiness in a world where love and duty too often collide.
Customer Reviews:
alright but could be better.......2006-01-15
this book is about a person, with many diffuclties. It kept me interested for about 20 min., then i couldn't take it any more. I was forced to read this book by my grandmother, if i had a choice i would not read it. If you like books by this author you may like this one. This is the first book i've read by this author and did not enjoy it. It was alright, but could of been better.
This was such a wonderful book. Recommend to everyone........1998-06-28
Wow this was just a great book. Anytime you want to spend a day relaxing & enjoying than grab this book. It is just great!
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Book.......2004-08-13
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a professional working with children and adolescents, I think that Dr. Eagle paints a very rich landscape to better understand the emotional development of adolescent girls. This book helped me to better understand this emotional journey as well as the needs of adolescents as they grow to become young women. An unusually thoughtful and insightful book.
All That She Can Be: Helping Your Daughter Maintain.......2000-02-13
I was very disappointed with this book. I had read the great reviews, and it was a basic book that I didn't learn anything new that I didn't know before reading this book.
All That She Can Be: Helping Your Daughter Maintain.......2000-02-13
I was very disappointed with this book. I had read the great reviews, and it was a basic book that I didn't learn anything knew that I didn't know before reading this book.
What a fabulous book!.......1999-04-21
I started this book hoping for some ideas to help me deal with my 2 stepdaughters' venture into adolescence. I love it! The authors' experience, insight into girls' feelings and actions and realistic advice on how parents can help their daughters through this difficult time in their lives are invaluable. It is a definite keeper. (I'm also making my husband read it!)
Essential reading for all parents of pre-teen girls........1998-01-05
This book is easy to read and understand. While on the one hand it made me sad to realize my 8 year old is truly poised on the threshold of a new and difficult phase of life, it gave me insight, as well as some tools to use, to make this next journey easier on both of us. It emphasized how critical the pre-teen years are in establishing a relationship that can not only survive the turbulence of the junior and senior high years, but keep the fires of self-esteem and confidence burning in the face of "growing up." Useful, relevant and comforting, this is perfect reading for parents who worry that their daughters will be anything like they were as pre-teens!
Book Description
This digital document is an article from San Diego Business Journal, published by CBJ, L.P. on November 15, 2004. The length of the article is 1010 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Businesswoman bites off just what she can chew: all-natural vegan cookies are a hit in SoCal region.
Author: Lizbeth Scordo
Publication:
San Diego Business Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 15, 2004
Publisher: CBJ, L.P.
Volume: 25
Issue: 46
Page: 21(2)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
|
Southern passions: this Atlanta superintendent doesn't need research to tell her all students can achieve--she's living proof. (administrator profile).: An article from: District Administration
Angela Pascopella
Manufacturer: Professional Media Group LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
Nonfiction | Subjects | Books | Automotive | Books on CD | Books on Cassette | Crime & Criminals | Current Events | Economics | Education | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Government | Holidays | Law | Philosophy | Politics | Social Sciences | Transportation | True Accounts | Urban Planning & Development | Women's Studies
General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Management | Business & Investing | Subjects | e-Docs | Formats | Books
General | Business & Investing | HTML | Formats | e-Docs | Formats | Books
Management | Business & Investing | HTML | Formats | e-Docs | Formats | Books
General | Nonfiction | HTML | Formats | e-Docs | Formats | Books
ASIN: B0008G4HD2
Release Date: 2005-07-30 |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from District Administration, published by Professional Media Group LLC on October 1, 2002. The length of the article is 765 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Southern passions: this Atlanta superintendent doesn't need research to tell her all students can achieve--she's living proof. (administrator profile).
Author: Angela Pascopella
Publication:
District Administration (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 2002
Publisher: Professional Media Group LLC
Volume: 38
Issue: 10
Page: 24(1)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
|
All She Can Be
Fern Michaels
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OVFV5Y |
Books:
- The Narrows: A Novel
- The New Leaders 100-Day Action Plan: How to Take Charge, Build Your Team, and Get Immediate Results
- The Parsifal Mosaic
- The Probable Future (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
- The Raphael Affair (Art History Mystery)
- The Romantic Movement: Sex, Shopping, and the Novel
- The Sherbrooke Bride
- The Shoe Box
- The Tunnel, the Bilingual Edition of El Tunel
- The Two Mrs. Grenvilles
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Savage Dreams: A Journey into the Landscape Wars of the American West
- Holy Image, Hallowed Ground
- Classics: A Very Short Introduction
- Far Afield
- Forever Cool: How To Achieve Ageless, Youthful, and Modern Personal Style
- Human Sexuality Today
- Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone
- Pacific Tapa
- Core Virtues : A Literature-Based Program in Character Education
- Campeche en flor
The Big Four (Hercule Poirot Mysteries)
Murder on the Links
Taken at the Flood (aka There is a Tide...)
