Well, two admissions here. We all know I didn’t take much time to read in the last week. The second admission is that I seldom read graphic novels because I have a hard time with the graphics and print. Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express: The Graphic Novel is an exception. Bob Al-Greene adapted and illustrated it, and he did an outstanding job. First, he didn’t put the captions on top of the pictures. I could read them. And, the illustrations are stunning.
Most readers here know the basic plot of Murder on the Orient Express. Hercule Poirot is on the famous train the Orient Express. He turns down the request of a wealthy man, Edward Ratchett, to protect him. I’ve always liked Poirot’s comment about why he says no. He doesn’t like Ratchett’s face.
Around midnight, the train stops on the tracks, stranded in a snowdrift. By morning, Poirot is asked to take on a murder investigation. Ratchett has been stabbed to death, stabbed multiple times.
For those unfamiliar with the story, I won’t say more about the story itself. I’ve read it four or five times, and I saw all the versions of the movie. This is always a favorite of mine with the two solutions put forward by Poirot. Bob Al-Greene’s illustrations enhance the story.
Check out the cover here. If you like it, you may enjoy the graphic novel. This is an excellent way to introduce Agatha Christie to fans of graphic novels or new readers of the author.
Murder on the Orient Express: The Graphic Novel by Agatha Christie; adapted and illustrated by Bob Al-Greene. William Morrow, 2023. ISBN 9780063160354 (paperback).
FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent a copy of the book for possible review.
I can’t quite see this working as a graphic novel due to the complexity of the plot. But I’m intrigued to see for myself how they pulled it off.
Success! Intrigued enough to look for the book, Mark?
I’ve always wondered why Graphic novels are categorized with the nonfiction at the library? But at least I’ll know where to look.
I have no idea, MM. We categorized them with fiction at ours.
Wow! Although I would prefer a book that I am so familiar with. Some graphic novels are knock-out beautiful. Today, I put a book with small print and not so well not-so-well-written story in my sell pile! I paid money for it instead of winning it. But not worth the struggle. I like to look for graphic novels on GoodReads although they often don’t show case the best that they have.
This one is beautiful, Carol. I’m sorry. I feel the same way about some graphic novels – not worth the struggle.