With all of the "beginning of the term" panic that floods the systems of those who aren't ready for the summer break to end just yet, I found myself procrastinating actually putting together my trunk. This shouldn't be a surprise to anybody, I mean who's ready to get back to sitting in classrooms in the cold dungeons, or even listening to professors drone on and on about the proper hand motions for that one tricky spell (which we all know isn't tricky at all we just want to humor them for a little bit longer). Well, sitting in the bottom of my trunk from the previous year, that I hadn't gotten around to unpacking yet, I found a book that had been given to me by a close friend. The bindings were well worn and it obviously appeared that it was read several times, not by me of course, but I take it you get the picture.
Throughout many nights, instead of packing a new set of luggage, I read this book and it just seemed fitting for me to tell you about it here.
The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie. This book happens to be the sixth installment of her Hercule Poirot series. Yes, it's the same series that holds Murder on the Orient Express, but we're not talking about that right now so don't ask.
This novel follows Poirot, as one could expect, as he boards the Le Train Bleu. This is the same train that another character, Katherine Grey, has just met Ruth Kettering. Now, Ruth is leaving her unhappy marriage to meet a "secret" lover. Of course, in the world of drama and murder, what lover is ever secret? Well, the very next day the passengers of the train find out that Ruth has been murdered in the night and her famous ruby, "Heart of Fire", has been stolen. Now this, noble readers, is when Poirot gets enlisted on the case. Just as anyone could expect, he's there to bring out all of the false clues that might make you suspect that the lover or the jealous husband had been involved, after all they would have some pretty clear motives, and bring the true criminal to justice!
For those that thoroughly enjoy mystery novels that involve drama and murder I would highly recommend this book, especially if you're wanting another reason to put off any kind of pressing matter. Before you even begin to ask me if it's required to read the series in order, just know that I didn't and kept along with the story just fine. I'm sure there's references to previous mysteries that I've missed, but it still doesn't take away from the main story. While I got through the book in only a few nights, it might not take a little bit longer for those that are actually doing their urgent duties to get through. Regardless, it's well worth the read.
After all, when have I ever suggested a book that wasn't worth reading?