The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

First published in 1926, this is the book that transformed Agatha Christie from a fairly successful mystery writer into an international sensation. Lord Mountbatten claimed to have given the author the initial idea for The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, which has kept critics and readers alike debating for over 70 years as to whether the queen of whodunits overstepped the rules of "fair play" in her shocking denouement.

The village of King's Abbot is in an uproar. The trouble began back when Mrs. Ferrars' husband died under dubious circumstances--some gossipes even say he was poisoned. Now, his widow has taken a fatal dose of veronal and left a mysterious letter behind for her paramour, wealthy Roger Ackroyd of Fernly Green. But before he can unseal the envelope, Ackroyd is found dead in his study--stabbed with a silver Tunis dagger--with "an egg-shaped head, partially covered with suspiciously black hair, two immense mustaches, and a pair of watchful eyes" has taken up residence in the Larches and taken to growing vegetable marrows. Fortunately for King's Abbot, the great Hercule Poirot does not have a green thumb! (jacket)