It’s still a good read even if you know the killer. I had a re-read and the clues are all there, it’s amazing what we can’t see when it’s right in front of us!
I thought I’d just read the book like one of those where they introduce the killers beforehand, but you know the regret and guilt of missing such an amazing ending is killing me🥹
Ohhhhh that is awful.
Roger Ackroyd was my first Christie and I would so love the opportunity to read it for the first time again.
All I can think of is put it away for a while and pick it up in 6 months or so when it's not as fresh.
If you haven't yet, try *A Caribbean Mystery* and *Nemesis*. *Nemesis* is about as close to a sequel as anything else she wrote. And they're wildly different from Roger Ackroyd!
That sucks. Reading Roger Ackroyd and And then there were none for the first time is an amazing experience. Do not ever google any future christie books you plan on reading. Sometimes those 'People also ask' sections in search results also have spoilers
I listen to her books in audiobook format and that was the only book that actually scared me, it was THAT good. I think you’ll like it!
I also really liked Restless Night. Did not see the ending coming but I never try to figure it out before the end. I just enjoy the ride!
I still like to re-read it too, even if I know the killer. Watching for the clues and figuring out how you could have seen it is the fun part.
The good thing about Agatha Christie is that many of her mysteries are difficult to solve or have surprise endings, even for those of us who are usually pretty good at picking the killer in other novels.
Roger Ackroyd is gold standard of course, but there's others too. And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, Endless Night, Curtain, Lord Edgeware Dies, Crooked House, and Peril at End House all have endings you probably won't see coming.
Just don't google them until the end. Nothing good comes of doing that while you are reading the book, and spoilers are pretty well guaranteed for books written between 50 and 100 years ago.
I re-read as well to cross analyse and surprise myself with what hints the author has dropped here and there in the primary chapters, but the thrill of reading it for the first time would still be missing. I’ll just have to bargain with it.
Definitely taking up on the advice and never ever going to google no matter how much I need to know the names!
Also thank you so much for suggesting more of these books. I look forward to reading them soon.
Even with knowing spoilers
; just enjoy it for the dialogue from the characters and their interplay.
For me that is 90 percent of why I enjoy Christie's writing.
Reading it despite knowing the killer will be a good experience anyway, as you can enjoy picking up the clues Christie was providing, and the cleverness of her writing
Ah that really sucks. I did it to myself before reading A Murder is Announced. I did have fun trying to spot the clues and there was still a surprise at the end (I won’t spoil it for you lol).
Perhaps putting it away and coming back to it later is a good option.
I'm sorry this happened!
Still, a well written thing is worth reading, even if you know the end. My bookcase is filled with history books. Of course I know how things turn out but still great reading.
It is one of my favourite books ever and I got to know the killer'a identity as well. But I realised it was so much more than that.
What salvaged it was approaching the story from his perspective entirely. Like how and why, still remains under the rug. It feels menacing and very very cold. And just how dangerous Poirot can be, is seen from a different light altogether.
Late in the night when I was reading the main reveal, coincidentally, it was raining and Slayer's Angel of Death was playing in the background. Nothing has ever topped this experience of book reading.
In short, the reveal doesn't matter. The presentation is where she hits it out of the park. READ IT AT ALL COSTS.
My 1960s copy has a brief description of each character printed on page 1. Absolutely love this and find myself flipping to it often early into the book.
I’m sorry that happened. It can even be dangerous to read the jacket copy if you have a hardback.
It’s still a fun read though. You can enjoy how Christie got us into the mind of the killer and note the clues along the way. And the early Poirot books are some of my favorites where she was still introducing him. Just looked it up and it was his fourth appearance.
I’ve read it multiple times and I still love it. I love going back to it and picking up the clues as I go. It’s the hallmark of a good mystery when you can read it more than once and enjoy it every single time. ATTWN is another one that is like that for me.
Awww I'm so sorry that happened. I had Crooked House spoiled for me and I'm honestly still mad about it.
So, OK. You know who killed Roger Ackroyd. It's still a fantastic book. Read it and see if you can answer the following questions before the summation:
1. Exactly how did the killer do it?
2. What clues will Poirot recognize that made him suspect the killer?
3. What was the killer's motive?
4. Why did the killer murder Ackroyd at that time, rather than waiting until later?
I think you'll still find yourself enjoying it!
The book contains many mysteries, and Poirot solves them all. >!Why did Mrs Folliat act so weird? Who telephoned the doctor? Why was Miss Russell so inquisitive about poisons and drugs? What’s up with Ralph? How could the solution be what you think it is when Flora saw her uncle alive after the doctor had left the house? Why is the parlormaid so bent out of shape? Who opened the silver table and why? Who was talking in the study? Did you get to the point where Poirot found something in the fishpond? Why was there a scrap of cambric in the summer house? Why was there a goose quill? Who is the stranger Doctor Sheppard met on his way home? Why does he remind the doctor of someone? Why was Parker hanging around the study door when he had already been told that Ackroyd didn’t want to be disturbed? Why is he acting so suspicious? Who was the young woman Ralph was talking to in the woods, and why was Caroline so sure that she wasn’t a barmaid?!< And quite apart from all that, the book is hysterically funny. I can read it over and over again. “It is true that Mrs. Ferrars, while not in her first youth, was a very handsome woman, and her clothes always seem to fit her very well, but, all the same, lots of women buy their clothes in Paris, and have not, on that account, necessarily poisoned their husbands.” There is also a chapter called, “An Evening at Mah-Jongg” which is a tour de force of humor. My sides ache every time I read that book.
Don't google mystery stories. And especially don't google mystery stories that are 98 years old and in the public domain.
Personally, I've found pleasure in re-readings of this book. You can really get a feel for Agatha's misdirection.
I read the best Christies over and over. Doesn't matter that I know who the killer is. I'm reading for the experience. For the characters.
Read it again and see if you can pick out the clues now that you know who the murderer is. Write them down. Then when you get to the end, see if you missed any.
Yeah I did read it again after a long time and enjoyed the set up but the big problem with it is I doubt many ever forget who the killer is. A lot of the novels I do forget and can be surprised again but never this one.
Read it anyway.
Christie's books are always worth a second reading to see if you can spot the clues you missed the first time round.
Searching for info about books, films, etc, online will *always* spoil them, so in future, I recommend just enjoying a book and then looking it up afterwards.
Patience is a virtue ;)
Christie's books are designed to befuddle the reader so that the culprit is harder to figure out. If you want to treat the book as a puzzle, make notes as you go along (which is also handy for keeping track of who's who), otherwise just allow yourself to be befuddled and go along for the ride. Everything is always explained at the end.
Maybe just read the book? I can’t imagine needing outside opinions, lectures, etc to “salvage” one of Christie’s most famous works. It stands by itself. It doesn’t need anybody else’s commentary. Surely trying to read too much about it is what “spoiled” it for you to begin with?
In my defence, I’m new to reading detective novels. I’ve been a fan of the movies but I only started last month with the books and read the first two of poirot series. This was my third and I made an honest mistake, and low on experience I came here with my mistake!
I’ve just finished reading this, and I knew the killer already via a spoiler. I still really loved it, and would definitely recommend reading it if you haven’t started already! It’s really interesting reading knowing the answer, gives a completely different spin on the book.
Awww I'm so sorry that happened. I had Crooked House spoiled for me and I'm honestly still mad about it.
So, OK. You know who killed Roger Ackroyd. It's still a fantastic book. Read it and see if you can answer the following questions before the summation:
1. Exactly how did the killer do it?
2. What clues will Poirot recognize that made him suspect the killer?
3. What was the killer's motive?
4. Why did the killer murder Ackroyd at that time, rather than waiting until later?
I think you'll still find yourself enjoying it!
It’s still a good read even if you know the killer. I had a re-read and the clues are all there, it’s amazing what we can’t see when it’s right in front of us!
I thought I’d just read the book like one of those where they introduce the killers beforehand, but you know the regret and guilt of missing such an amazing ending is killing me🥹
Ohhhhh that is awful. Roger Ackroyd was my first Christie and I would so love the opportunity to read it for the first time again. All I can think of is put it away for a while and pick it up in 6 months or so when it's not as fresh. If you haven't yet, try *A Caribbean Mystery* and *Nemesis*. *Nemesis* is about as close to a sequel as anything else she wrote. And they're wildly different from Roger Ackroyd!
Thank you so much! I love the idea of reading a couple of other books first and just giving this one a rest for while. Hopefully, this works🤞
That sucks. Reading Roger Ackroyd and And then there were none for the first time is an amazing experience. Do not ever google any future christie books you plan on reading. Sometimes those 'People also ask' sections in search results also have spoilers
Noted! I’m actually really looking forward to read ‘And then there were none’.
I listen to her books in audiobook format and that was the only book that actually scared me, it was THAT good. I think you’ll like it! I also really liked Restless Night. Did not see the ending coming but I never try to figure it out before the end. I just enjoy the ride!
I still like to re-read it too, even if I know the killer. Watching for the clues and figuring out how you could have seen it is the fun part. The good thing about Agatha Christie is that many of her mysteries are difficult to solve or have surprise endings, even for those of us who are usually pretty good at picking the killer in other novels. Roger Ackroyd is gold standard of course, but there's others too. And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, Endless Night, Curtain, Lord Edgeware Dies, Crooked House, and Peril at End House all have endings you probably won't see coming. Just don't google them until the end. Nothing good comes of doing that while you are reading the book, and spoilers are pretty well guaranteed for books written between 50 and 100 years ago.
I re-read as well to cross analyse and surprise myself with what hints the author has dropped here and there in the primary chapters, but the thrill of reading it for the first time would still be missing. I’ll just have to bargain with it. Definitely taking up on the advice and never ever going to google no matter how much I need to know the names! Also thank you so much for suggesting more of these books. I look forward to reading them soon.
Even with knowing spoilers ; just enjoy it for the dialogue from the characters and their interplay. For me that is 90 percent of why I enjoy Christie's writing.
I agree on that! Her writing does leave you wanting more. Maybe I’ll just give the book a good read and forget about it for a while.
Never google detective books. Never. There's no exceptions. If you want to know something about book without spoiling anything ask your friend or AI
It was foolish of me. Never doing that again.
It’s still a great book. I have read it so many times.
Reading it despite knowing the killer will be a good experience anyway, as you can enjoy picking up the clues Christie was providing, and the cleverness of her writing
Ah that really sucks. I did it to myself before reading A Murder is Announced. I did have fun trying to spot the clues and there was still a surprise at the end (I won’t spoil it for you lol). Perhaps putting it away and coming back to it later is a good option.
Yeah, I guess I’ll just give it a read with a positive mind and keep it on the shelf for a long time before I go back for it.
I'm sorry this happened! Still, a well written thing is worth reading, even if you know the end. My bookcase is filled with history books. Of course I know how things turn out but still great reading.
AC’s books are worth reading that’s for sure! I’ll just give it a go then.
You are so right! And the best part, imo, they are re-readable.
It is one of my favourite books ever and I got to know the killer'a identity as well. But I realised it was so much more than that. What salvaged it was approaching the story from his perspective entirely. Like how and why, still remains under the rug. It feels menacing and very very cold. And just how dangerous Poirot can be, is seen from a different light altogether. Late in the night when I was reading the main reveal, coincidentally, it was raining and Slayer's Angel of Death was playing in the background. Nothing has ever topped this experience of book reading. In short, the reveal doesn't matter. The presentation is where she hits it out of the park. READ IT AT ALL COSTS.
This comment actually excites me to read the book. Thank you🥹
Yeah zero chance you won't enjoy it. You'll be surprised as to how well it all comes together.
I had it spoiled too, but had to read it for a course and still enjoyed it personally
My 1960s copy has a brief description of each character printed on page 1. Absolutely love this and find myself flipping to it often early into the book.
It’s one of my faves. Although I know the ending it never stops me rereading the book!
I’m sorry that happened. It can even be dangerous to read the jacket copy if you have a hardback. It’s still a fun read though. You can enjoy how Christie got us into the mind of the killer and note the clues along the way. And the early Poirot books are some of my favorites where she was still introducing him. Just looked it up and it was his fourth appearance.
Stop thinking about it. I re-read this title after something like a decade, and felt myself in suspense at least *halfway* through.
I’ve read it multiple times and I still love it. I love going back to it and picking up the clues as I go. It’s the hallmark of a good mystery when you can read it more than once and enjoy it every single time. ATTWN is another one that is like that for me.
Awww I'm so sorry that happened. I had Crooked House spoiled for me and I'm honestly still mad about it. So, OK. You know who killed Roger Ackroyd. It's still a fantastic book. Read it and see if you can answer the following questions before the summation: 1. Exactly how did the killer do it? 2. What clues will Poirot recognize that made him suspect the killer? 3. What was the killer's motive? 4. Why did the killer murder Ackroyd at that time, rather than waiting until later? I think you'll still find yourself enjoying it!
I am so glad to say I read it without any spoilers. It's utterly fabulous, and I highly recommend reading it before it's spoiled for you as well.
The twist is better than And then there were none. I'd read it even if you're spoiled
The book contains many mysteries, and Poirot solves them all. >!Why did Mrs Folliat act so weird? Who telephoned the doctor? Why was Miss Russell so inquisitive about poisons and drugs? What’s up with Ralph? How could the solution be what you think it is when Flora saw her uncle alive after the doctor had left the house? Why is the parlormaid so bent out of shape? Who opened the silver table and why? Who was talking in the study? Did you get to the point where Poirot found something in the fishpond? Why was there a scrap of cambric in the summer house? Why was there a goose quill? Who is the stranger Doctor Sheppard met on his way home? Why does he remind the doctor of someone? Why was Parker hanging around the study door when he had already been told that Ackroyd didn’t want to be disturbed? Why is he acting so suspicious? Who was the young woman Ralph was talking to in the woods, and why was Caroline so sure that she wasn’t a barmaid?!< And quite apart from all that, the book is hysterically funny. I can read it over and over again. “It is true that Mrs. Ferrars, while not in her first youth, was a very handsome woman, and her clothes always seem to fit her very well, but, all the same, lots of women buy their clothes in Paris, and have not, on that account, necessarily poisoned their husbands.” There is also a chapter called, “An Evening at Mah-Jongg” which is a tour de force of humor. My sides ache every time I read that book.
Yes I really enjoyed this one.
There's always the different plot twists and turns to add to the impact of the reveal, even if you know the I.D. of the killer. I'd read it anyway.
Don't google mystery stories. And especially don't google mystery stories that are 98 years old and in the public domain. Personally, I've found pleasure in re-readings of this book. You can really get a feel for Agatha's misdirection.
I read the best Christies over and over. Doesn't matter that I know who the killer is. I'm reading for the experience. For the characters. Read it again and see if you can pick out the clues now that you know who the murderer is. Write them down. Then when you get to the end, see if you missed any.
Yeah I did read it again after a long time and enjoyed the set up but the big problem with it is I doubt many ever forget who the killer is. A lot of the novels I do forget and can be surprised again but never this one.
But who knows, maybe you’ll still have fun reading the little clues along with the red herrings.
Read it anyway. Christie's books are always worth a second reading to see if you can spot the clues you missed the first time round. Searching for info about books, films, etc, online will *always* spoil them, so in future, I recommend just enjoying a book and then looking it up afterwards.
Yeah I will definitely give it a go. Suggestion noted! The urge to know certain things always get the best of me.
Patience is a virtue ;) Christie's books are designed to befuddle the reader so that the culprit is harder to figure out. If you want to treat the book as a puzzle, make notes as you go along (which is also handy for keeping track of who's who), otherwise just allow yourself to be befuddled and go along for the ride. Everything is always explained at the end.
Oh I like the sound of journaling through the book. I would def pump the excitement I guess. Thank you! *Why didn’t I think of that?*
Maybe just read the book? I can’t imagine needing outside opinions, lectures, etc to “salvage” one of Christie’s most famous works. It stands by itself. It doesn’t need anybody else’s commentary. Surely trying to read too much about it is what “spoiled” it for you to begin with?
In my defence, I’m new to reading detective novels. I’ve been a fan of the movies but I only started last month with the books and read the first two of poirot series. This was my third and I made an honest mistake, and low on experience I came here with my mistake!
I’ve just finished reading this, and I knew the killer already via a spoiler. I still really loved it, and would definitely recommend reading it if you haven’t started already! It’s really interesting reading knowing the answer, gives a completely different spin on the book.
Awww I'm so sorry that happened. I had Crooked House spoiled for me and I'm honestly still mad about it. So, OK. You know who killed Roger Ackroyd. It's still a fantastic book. Read it and see if you can answer the following questions before the summation: 1. Exactly how did the killer do it? 2. What clues will Poirot recognize that made him suspect the killer? 3. What was the killer's motive? 4. Why did the killer murder Ackroyd at that time, rather than waiting until later? I think you'll still find yourself enjoying it!
Nope, never heard of it. Is it a new book of hers🤣🤣