Agatha Christie depicts a descriptive, fictional murder mystery in the novel ABC Murders. With the help of the narrator, Captain Arthur Hastings, Hercule Poirot solves the murders of four victims who are killed in alphabetical order by Franklin Clarke, more commonly known as ABC. The story elicits copious high points but the rare low point as well. Examples of these aspects can be found within the plot, setting, characters, conflict, and theme of the book. According to Stanford’s Suggested Reading List, the book is considered a “must read.” ABC Murders definitely holds up to the reputation placed upon it by Stanford and would be a favorable choice for anyone wishing to read a well written novel.The plot is entertaining and suspenseful which allows it to hold up to the standards of the list. Foreshadowing maintains interest, and is a prominent part of the suspenseful nature of the plot. After the first murder of Mrs. Ascher, Hastings believed that the crime is a singular event, but Poirot stated, “This is only the beginning” (Christie 22). The author uses a delightful example of foreshadowing to hint to the later murders. This keeps the plot suspenseful which makes one want to continue reading. After discussing possible coincidences on the day of the murder with the victims’ friends and families, Poirot realized, “I tell you my friends, it cannot be a coincidence. Three crimes—and every time a man selling stockings and spying out the land” (Christie 211). The finding of clues allows the plot to continue, thus maintaining the reader’s interest and preventing the story from becoming too tedious to enjoy. While Monsieur Poirot finished pronouncing the name of the murderer, the narration stated, “Two detectives…
…ng back” (Christie 249). This time “ABC” was not cautious by making the mistake of accidentally murdering the wrong person.Well pronounced throughout the novel, the theme hold up to the measures placed up on it by Stanford’s Suggested Reading List. The theme that was greatly defined was the conquering of good over evil. Inspector Crome announced to Poirot, after Poirot’s stocking forewarning proved to be correct, “Congratulations. Your hunch was right” (Christie 255). Poirot, the reputable detective, prevailed over “ABC,” the horrendous serial killer. Poirot, finally discovering the man who committed all of these murders, declared, “I had no further doubt in my mind—ABC, the man who wrote the letters and committed the crimes, was Franklin Clarke” (Christie 322). Poirot defeated Clarke by eventually discovering that it was he who committed the murders.
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