The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a seminal detective novel by Agatha Christie, first published in 1926. It features the iconic Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, who has recently retired to a quiet English village. His peace is shattered when the wealthy industrialist Roger Ackroyd is found brutally stabbed to death in his study. Ackroyd had just received a letter revealing the identity of a blackmailer, a secret connected to the recent suicide of his fiancée, Mrs. Ferrars, who had poisoned her first husband. As Poirot delves into the intricate lives of the household's residents and staff, including Ackroyd's stepson, niece, secretary, and the local doctor, James Sheppard (who also narrates the story), he uncovers a complex web of deceit, hidden motives, and long-held secrets. The investigation culminates in one of the most shocking and revolutionary plot twists in the history of detective fiction, challenging the conventions of the genre and leaving readers astounded.

Reading ease score: 86.2 (6th grade). Easy to read.