Murder on the Orient Express: The Graphic Novel

By Agatha Christie and Bob Al-Greene

Experience Agatha Christie’s masterpiece as you’ve never seen it before with this brand-new graphic novel adaptation—featuring gorgeous full-color illustrations by Bob Al-Greene.

“The murderer is with us—on the train now . . .”

Just after midnight, the famous Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. By morning, the millionaire Samuel Edward Ratchett lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Without a shred of doubt, one of his fellow passengers is the murderer.

Isolated by the storm, detective Hercule Poirot must find the killer among a dozen of the dead man's enemies, before the murderer decides to strike again.

This beautiful, full-color graphic novel adaptation brings this favorite mystery to life—perfect for longtime fans and new readers alike.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Sep 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9780063160361

Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie is the most widely published author of all time, outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. Her books have sold more than a billion copies in English and another billion in a hundred foreign languages. She died in 1976, after a prolific career spanning six decades.

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Reviews for Murder on the Orient Express

[atticusfinch1048 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

First published in 1934 Murder on the Orient Express is still popular today as it was then. Like many people I have seen the various TV and film adaptations though I can never remember the ending. The main reason I am reading the book plus I do like cosey crime books along with Agatha Christie’s use of English has never dated. There are plenty of modern writers who could do with learning from the queen of murder mystery.

Hercule Poirot has been on a case abroad and is returning to his home from Syria where he boarded the Taurus Express which will take passengers to Istanbul in Turkey. From there the passengers will be able to continue their forward journey into northern Europe where it was currently winter. When they finally get their connection on the Orient Express in Istanbul, he finds that it is unusually very busy especially for the time of year. As the train passes through what was Yugoslavia (Balkan region) a murder is committed.

With the victim lying dead in his compartment Poirot begins his investigation with the aid of a Greek doctor and the Orient Express’ director. As Poirot gathers the statements of all the passengers evidence seem to turn up. He becomes convince that there is a slight of hand at play on the train. One thing that Poirot is positive about are the lies he is being told by all those onboard as a matter of routine. But unfortunately for the killer Poirot is able to slowly piece together the clues from the statements and the evidence to solve the puzzle and reveal the killer.

A brilliant Christie thriller that keeps you hooked throughout the book.

[wolfeyluvr · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Audiobook completed 5/4/19 - The answer totally screamed at me at one point and I wish I'd went with that thought! I dont read many mysteries but enjoyed this. Now I can watch the newer movie that everyone ranted about .

[siok-76276 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I tried to listen to Poirot's exhortations and think, which he says is the way to solve the crime. I realised it is impossible. This plot is too perfect and written for Poirot to solve. That is not an indictment of the book. It is still a delightful read, and unless you are another Poirot, the ending is impossible to predict.

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I don't think I could have solved it even had I really tried, and that's the main reason why I was glad the group was reading Christie.

[karlstar_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fun 'closed room' mystery, of a sort. This is a classic for a good reason. Relatively short and to the point, yet still fascinating.

[annoyingtiger888 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was drawn to this book by the cover. Murder mystery and a train? Two of my favorite things! I'm so thankful I found this book. It captured me from the first page and kept me on the edge of my seat, something that is hard to do with my wandering mind. Maybe it was just me, but it was difficult to suss out who was lying or being truthful, but it was fun to draw my own conclusions and see if I was right about who done it! The ending through me for a loop and I lost my mind!

I recommend this book 100%! You won't regret reading it.

[baochuan-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have seen the movies, TV series a few times. I still enjoyed the book.

[lexilewords · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Anyone who has ever professed a love of mysteries, detectives or crime novel should have read this book by now. I won't say Murder on the Orient Express (originally titled: Murder on the Calais Coach) is perfect, but its damn near.

Of Christie's many, many mystery novels I think Murder is one of the few that I believe could be considered the 'perfect' crime. Of course with Hercule on the case that would be impossible, but if he hadn't also been aboard the Orient, than who could have figured out the tangled web that led to Rachett's untimely demise. In case you haven't read the novel, or seen the movie (more on this in a minute), I won't ruin the ending by saying who did it. Likely at some point you will make a guess (or three) and you will likely be right. I can think of very few characters in the novel who couldn't have done it (not even with Poirot's great skills could he have convinced me of this).

The interesting notion of Murder is that its one of the few books of Christie's, when made into a movie (which it has been, several times) where they didn't change the ending. David Suchet, who is endeavoring to play Poirot in all 122 of his cases (at the time of this review he was at 65, he has since completed every story of Poirot's including this one), in his Poirot TV movies the majority of the endings are changed (including the ending to this, in some ways). Some for political reasons (Christie was very much a woman of her times and the views of the British people are expressed in her novels quite pointedly at times*), others because the producer/writer didn't feel the ending would be sale-able to the audience. And Then There Were None, another Christie favorite, is the most notable as it completely changes the ending character relationships and development for several of the key characters.

Cyrus Hardman is my favorite character in the book. "An American commercial traveler who knows more than he tells and tells more than he knows..." (1940 Pocket Edition) is how the 'cast of characters' describes him. He's a blowhard, that much is true. He isn't a bad sort just tends to yap yap yap. But I liked him--he was quirky and amusing and he irritated Poirot with his aggressively American ways.

How the murder took place, the circumstances why the murderer felt it had to take place and who eventually turns out to be the murderer is fascinatingly detailed by Poirot. I am struck, each time I read or watch this story, by what seems like a string of coincidences, impossibilities and happenstance could bring together such a crime.

There is a historical centerpiece to the story, well its based upon a historical tragedy. The Lindburgh Kidnapping Case of 1932--in which the famous aviator's son was kidnapped and soon after found dead, was the inspiration for the 'Armstrong Kidnapping' that Christie describes. Indeed in the 1974 movie the newspaper clippings that flash across the screen are actually images of Charles Lindburgh Jr.

[darthdeverell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Bob Al-Greene’s graphic novel adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express adapts Dame Christie’s work in the stunning visual language of the graphic novel. He hews to the original plot, using his art to embellish Christie’s words rather than alter anything. Al-Greene’s character designs are particularly enjoyable, with each of the main cast distinctively rendered and situated in the opulence of the interwar luxury train operated by Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits. His portrayal of Poirot is the most enjoyable, with all of Poirot’s unique expressions and mannerisms matching Christie’s description in her 1920 novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles: “He was hardly more than five feet four inches but carried himself with great dignity. His head was exactly the shape of an egg, and he always perched it a little on one side.” The original 1934 novel, Murder on the Orient Express, described Poirot as “a little man with enormous moustaches.” Personally, I prefer the neatly-shaped mustache David Suchet wore, but Al-Greene’s art honors these character descriptions to the letter.

As this graphic novel demonstrates, Hercule Poirot remains as popular as ever, with the David Suchet’s portrayal concluding only a decade ago, Kenneth Branagh’s 2017 adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express and its two sequels, John Malkovich’s 2018 portrayal in the BBC adaptation of The ABC Murders, and the 2023 video game adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express from Microids and set in 2023. Bob Al-Green’s adaptation will delight fans of Poirot and is an excellent introduction for newcomers to this classic story of detective fiction!

[jntjesussaves · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Writing: 4.5; Theme: 4.5; Content: 5.0; Langauge: 4.5; Overall: 4.5

This was only the second novel I've read from this well-known suspense author, Agatha Christie. The great Hercule Poirot must solve this classic murder mystery aboard the Orient Express, with the help of Drector M. Bouc and Doctor Constantine. There are many twists and turns throughout this wonderful novel. Christie shapes the characters nicely and keeps the reader enthralled in finding out who committed the dastardly crime of murder. Highly recommend.

***August 29. 2023***

[angelajmaher · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

With a cast of characters this large, you would expect this book to be confusing, and yet it is all so nicely presented it's easy to follow. Easy to follow, but hard to predict who is guilty and/or lying. An enjoyable read.

[eavans-914612 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My only knowledge of Agatha Christie before this novel was that she wrote for the near-elderly: her stories encompassed the small paperbacks my grandmother had read cover to cover, these said paperbacks made an equal multitude of PBS dramas ripe for the over 50 crowd, and these Poirot-Marple stories felt like an impossible canon to work through. Think if you will staring in awe at the Magic Treehouse series as a small child, the beat up spines lining up like an invading army on that sad, school bookshelf. That was my feeling looking at Christie's novels. The age thing didn't help me either, and it was just something I was going to pass on, unfortunately.

But alas, bookclub got me reading something I wouldn't have picked up had the opportunity not arisen, and paired with my interest at the current film, I chose it. The story is simple — a man is murdered that the reader has interacted with for a scene or two — and then it's up to our master detective to figure out what ensued. I like the neatness of the plot and the simplicity that Christie writes in, and it let me get into thick of the plot more so than I usually do. The smattering of french was also welcome, and threw me for a loop on one or two verbs (quel scandale!). I'd watched a travel video or two on the Simplon-Orient Express that runs through Europe, and I had a lot of fun imagining the drama ensuing between the lacquered wood walls and sleek elegance of the train car by the equally opulent characters that inhabited then.

As you can gather, this was my first Agatha Christie book — and I completely fell in love with it. The biggest thing that separates 4s from 5s is how much i get into it. I found myself barely looking at how many pages I had left in a chapter, and bringing it everywhere I could once things got good. I think the reason why I loved it so much was the neat and riveting plot, and I don't read books like that often! I've always felt like I had to get through as much of the literary canon as I could before I read purely for "pleasure", and it shows sorely in my read list. I joined my school's book club to start reading things out of my usual genres, and though this fall a bit on the "historical" and "classic" side, I probably wouldn't have picked it up because of what I'd heard about Christie novels.


There were only 2 things that I didn't like about the novel, and that was the lack of clues given to us to piece together beforehand and the resolution of the drama. I've read about a quarter of the Sherlock Holmes canon and I can't tell you how much I resented the stories where I had no semblance of a chance of figuring the mystery out; things like that make the story out to be the shoddy BBC Sherlock deus ex machinas we all grew to hate. I argued a little with another book-clubber on my last point as well, but I didn't like the abruptness of the end. To go 300 pages investing in the drama of the characters and death, following a detective determined to find the killer and bring them to justice only to wrap it up on 1 page felt too lazy. I understand and appreciated the characters getting off for the vigilante justice aspect of the case, but... that's it? I felt cheated. I almost wanted them all to go the big house, at least I'd get the satisfaction of "justice" I'd been hell-bent on since Poirot took the case. A twist ending and peaceful resolution? Sure, but for me, it was still a letdown.

I don't know if I'll pick up an Agatha Christie book in the immediate future, but I'd definitely like to read some of her others when I have the time. Thanks bookclub, thanks grandma for reassuring me they are in fact good, and thanks Hollywood for making an interesting enough trailer for me to read to finally read it :")

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I will say I liked this entry in the Poirot series the best of the ones I've read so far, but even that hasn't raised the book much above a 3 for me. I think that has a lot to do with the main character. It did have a different solution than what I'd thought it might be. (I had seen the remake of the movie, but must admit I didn't follow the plot very well in the movie.) And so far it is the only one I've read that didn't have Hastings in it.

[crabbyabbe · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Glad I never saw any movie before reading this, so the ending was not spoiled in the least. Definitely one of Christie's best; she is incredible with the locked room novel, though in this case, of course, it's a train. A classic whodunit with the required detective tropes. One thing though: lots of prejudice here between men/women, rich/poor, royalty/everyman, even against nationalities. Perhaps typical for the time and where it was written.

[funstm · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Poirot gently uncrossed his knees, withdrew his gaze from the ceiling, and looked the young man full in the face. “My name is Hercule Poirot,” he said quietly, “and I am probably the greatest detective in the world.

Christie, Agatha. The Mystery of the Blue Train: Hercule Poirot Investigates (Hercule Poirot series Book 6) (p. 149). William Morrow Paperbacks. Kindle Edition.

On the way back from Syria, having closed a case, Poirot plans for some rest and relaxation until a telegram from London requests his urgent presence. He immediately changes his plans booking passage on the Simplon-Orient train. But the first night aboard, one of the passengers is murdered and Poirot is tasked with finding the culprit.

I love Hercule Poirot but I honestly don't know how I feel about this book. I know it's a classic and in some ways I appreciate it but in other ways it just annoyed me. The first 70% was alright. The mystery unfolded and kept me guessing and then I felt like it just went to pieces. All of a sudden they were all connected to the case and everyone had a motive and it made sense - but I didn't like it. It was just too fantastical for my tastes. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love a good twist but this was just over the top ridiculous. So it was okay but it's definitely not my favourite Hercule Poirot novel. 3 stars.

[smorton11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When deciding on books for the Modern Readers Book Club this summer, we decided to go on a magical mystery tour, and you can’t have a mystery tour without including the bestselling mystery writer of all time (seriously, it’s a fact), Agatha Christie!
For years I wondered why Agatha Christie had such an appeal, until my future father-in-law gave my fiance and I tickets to see the stage production, The Mousetrap, in Philadelphia one weekend. And I now know why she is the queen of mystery writing. Her plot and pacing are exquisite - it is easy enough to follow along, the writing in her books and the dialogue in the play made you feel like you were in the hotel/on the train with the inspector as they attempt to solve the mystery.
Christie reveals enough details and suspicions that the reader can attempt to solve them mystery themselves, but she also allows for enough wiggle room for you to eventually be surprised by the final twist without feeling completely blindsided. While I have not been a mystery reader for a terribly long time (this could probably be considered my first true mystery novel, save for a Patterson novel I read shortly after college), I have quickly come to appreciate the differences in storytelling required for a good mystery versus a good novel. Suspense is key, but in moderation. If the crime is committed at the start, then there should be enough background build up for each character that it doesn’t feel procedural. If crimes are continuing to be committed, it should feel like at least one character’s life is still under threat.
After reading Murder on the Orient Express, I immediately went out and purchased more Agatha Christie books - they make for a delightful, quick, beach or summer read and I have enjoyed myself immensely.

[ktreads22 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I mean, what is there to say that hasn't already been said?

I loved this book. It was my first Agatha Christie novel. I've seen other adaptations of her works, but I'd never sat down and read one for myself. It was a great read, and I look forward to reading more of them!

[anniik_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book! I am not usually a huge fan of mysteries, but I enjoyed this one very much. The story of a train stuck in a snowy frontier upon which a brutal murder occurs, I found it interesting from the start. My only complaint was that it contains some words and ideas that would today be considered socially inappropriate, but not nearly as many as other books from this same time period. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it highly to mystery lovers (and even those of you who aren't!).

[briandrewz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This fantastic thriller/mystery at its finest. Agatha Christie weaves a tale so complete that after you've finished, you sit back and savor it. Then, you watch the movie(s) because you want more. When Hercule Poirot is on the case, you know that the mystery won't remain unsolved. "Orient Express" has everything: location, sleuth, and a fabulous cast of suspects.

This isn't to be missed.

[thedivineoomba · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I went into this book knowing the ending - not the specifics, just how the dead guy was killed. And, it really did decrease my enjoyment of the story, so I suspect that my thoughts on this book would have been different if I didn't know the ending.

First - The story is skillfully spun and incredibly thought out. The problem is that for Poirot to figure it out, he had to make a lot of assumptions, and they all turned out correct. Of course, this is the way of these type of books, where the story is about the puzzle, not necessarily about reality. Its not a bad thing, but its way to simplistic.

It certainly is a fun book, set on a train, nobody can leave or board. And, it really is the perfect beach read, the story sits on the trifecta of short, easy to read and making a reader think through a puzzle.

[murderbydeath · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My real life book club chose this as the October read, and I admit, I've never before read this Christie classic.  My contrary nature, I suppose.  Plus, I knew how it ended, which dimmed the urgency of reading it.  So too did my dislike of Poirot.
 
Well, I've read it now and it's as brilliant as every person has ever said it is.  And there were two bonuses for me:  Poirot wasn't as annoying as I've found him in other books - he was, in fact, quite tolerable.  And Mrs. Hubbard blew me away.  Did. not. see. that. coming.
 
Since I knew how it ended, I tasked myself with trying to pick up all the clues.  Of all of them, I missed only two, I think.  Or at least, only two of the obvious clues.  I suspect if I re-read it I'd find a whole host of character related clues that sailed right over my head.
 
If you haven't read this yet and you think you might someday be interested, please take my advice and do not let anyone tell you how it ends.  Avoid reading any more reviews, and just read the book.  It will be so much better, so much more brilliant, if you don't know what is coming.

[lee.gabel · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I thought it was about time to read some Agatha Christie and what better book to begin with than Murder on the Orient Express. All the characters were well realized (I could picture them all) and the story progressed efficiently without any extraneous details. However, I'd was hard pressed to figure out the answer to the mystery. I felt a little dumb at times for not picking up on certain clues, but this is probably just my unfamiliarity with the genre. I'm used to a fair dose of suspense in the books I read, and I didn't find much of that here. But by the end I did enjoy the book, so much so that I want to seek out the 1974 film version for comparison.

[kevn57-163679 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was a very clever mystery, but not exactly to my taste. I prefer a more character driven story and the characters in this mystery, the first mystery featuring Poirot that I’ve read were mere sketches. Even the famous detective seems to not develop at all over the course of the story. This may not be fair as I haven’t read the first nine mysteries in the series and the others may have been radically different and the author may feel that Poirot was developed sufficiently in the prior novels. But I still enjoyed the book as I say the puzzle itself was very enjoyable.

[sapphiremoonlight23 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Surprise ending... totally unexpected!!!

[lost_in_here · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I honestly have no strong opinion on this one. I read it and it was fine. It was my first Agatha Christie and maybe I expected more. It was a bit formulaic. But it was okay. I don’t know what else to say.

[tonifgmamtc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a really good whodunit. Someone is killed on a train so the killer has to be among them. There is a widely varied cast. The mystery is not easily solved. I don't know why I waited so long to try something from Agatha Christie. I'll definitely be reading more.

[sarah220-732610 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Not the first time I've read this but it's all time favorite. It still holds up.

[sdramsey-298717 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of her best!

[shankarmony-969641 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very clever, if highly contrived. One is always amazed at how well Christie can create distinct characters with just a few brushstrokes.

[drfuriosa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

That was an entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable whodunnit mystery. While I don't think I need to keep this book, I am more than happy to recommend it to a lover of mysteries. This is the perfect kind of light Spring Break reading I needed.