The Mystery of the Blue Train
The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie is available to buy here.
SYNOPSIS
Katherine Grey unexpectedly come into a fortune and is invited to stay with family on the French Riviera - well of course they want to get to know her now...on the way there she meets the rich and beautiful Ruth Kettering, daughter of the even richer Rufus Van Aldin who has just gifted her a set of famous red rubies which in turn carry with them rumors of a curse. With a priceless set of gems, a wayward husband and a set of characters each with their own secrets and turmoil, the tension builds until finally, murder!
poirot
Poirot is back this time in an avuncular capacity to the beautiful Miss Grey.
when to read
Of course you'd want to be on the French Riviera to do it properly but if not, this is definitely a summer read.
murder mystery
FRENCH RIVIERA
The second of Agatha Christie's novels to be set in France, along with Death in the Clouds and Murder on the Links.
Publishing info
The Mystery of the Blue Train was published in 1928 just after The Big Four and before The Seven Dials Mystery.
overall rating
4/5
On Screen
Watching Agatha Christie
The Mystery of the Blue by Agatha Christie was filmed as part of the ITV feature length episodes and is Season 10 episode 1 starring David Suchet as Poirot.
The Mystery of the Blue Train Character List
| Ada Mason | Ruth Kettering’s Ladies maid |
| Charles Evans ‘Chubby’ | Tamplin’s current younger husband |
| Comte Armand De La Roche | Ladies man seeing Ruth Kettering |
| Demetrius Papopolous | Antiques dealer |
| Derek Kettering | Ruth’s husband, future Lord Leconbury |
| Honourable Lennox Tamplin | Rosalie Tamplin’s daughter |
| Joseph Aarons | British theatrical agent |
| Katherine Grey | An English lady’s companion who inherits a fortune |
| Major Richard Knighton | Private secretary to Rufus Van Aldin |
| Mirelle | An exotic dancer |
| Monsieur Carrege | French policeman |
| Monsieur Le Marquis | Infamous jewel thief |
| Mr and Mrs Harrison | Friends of Katherine Grey’s |
| Mr Goby | Rufus Van Aldin’s informant |
| Mrs Harfield | Elderly lady to whom Katherine was companion and who left her all her money |
| Rufus Van Aldin | Wealthy American, father of Ruth |
| Ruth Kettering (nee Van Aldin) | Rufus’ daughter, married to Derek and the victim |
| Viscountess Rosalie Tamplin | Cousin of Katherine Grey living in the French Riviera with her fifth husband and her daughter |
| Zia Papopolous | Demetrius’ daughter |
SPOILERS BELOW!
Ruth Kettering
Major Knighton (actually the jewel thief the Marquis) with his accomplice Ada Mason aka Kitty Kid
The ruby Heart of Fire
Ruth is strangled and beaten of the head to disfigure her face.
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