The mystery of the blue train (by Agatha Christie)

(Amazon UK link)

I decided to read yet another Agatha Christie crime novel. I'm trying to catch up on the many years before I started on this author. In one sense they're becoming a little samey, but only in the sense any logic puzzle is similar to another logic puzzle.

But at the same time there's always a challenge to try and solve the mystery. I like trying to see the false trail of clues, and to look at the psychology of the suspects.

'The mystery of the blue train' is an exciting adventure concerning some valuable jewels. Mr van Alden buys some jewels for his married daughter, and she is murdered on a train.

Hercule Poirot just happens to be on the train, as is Katherine, an English girl who's never had anything exciting happen to her...

As seems to be the case with Agatha Christie, the characters are somewhat two-dimensional. But the writing is crisp and the plot very well devised.

The mystery unfolds in a clever fashion, and Poirot, as ever, reveals the murderer in the end.

Recommended.