Rating: 
Summary: Agatha Christie is the Queen
Review: It is difficult to write a review of Christie's work, as any hint of the plot could give away a clue. So I'll just say that this is one of her best. I liked it better than "And Then There Were None," but not quite as well as "The Clocks". This book didn't have as much suspense as that novel; there was quite a bit of lag time. Christie's detective, Hercule Poirot, is annoying until you get used to him, which I am starting to, so first time Christie readers may like to start off with a non-Poirot novel. I read Christie hoping to really unravel the mystery everytime before it is revealed. Once again, Christie beat me to it! Enjoy...
Rating:
Summary: A very exciting, thrilling, and well written novel.
Review: The detective fiction book A.B.C. Murders, written by Agatha Christie, is a thrilling book. Christie's encouragement to read on makes it a "can't put it down" book. She forms the characters in great detail, each detail eventually making perfect sense in the conclusion and making you say, "darn, I should've known." Christie makes the books atmosphere such that it feels as if you are right there, trying to figure out the murders right along with Hercule Poirot, the great detective in the book. Christie's book is such a thrilling and exciting book for many reasons. First, her writing style is unique, in that it excites you from the beginning of the book until the very end. Her style is wonderful because she writes with enthusiasm to keep you interested throughout the book. She grasps your attention in different ways and makes you keep on reading until the very end. Secondly, Christie describes the characters to the last detail, making sure every detail has importance in the conclusion of the murders. These facts tie together at the end, concluding the mystery with great strength and reassurance to the reader. Lastly, the atmosphere of the book is outstanding. Christie absorbs you into the book so well that you want to talk over the mystery with Poirot, as if you were there solving the case right along with him. This book is great because it makes you want to keep on reading and reading, with no end to the book. With absorbing writing, great characterization, and encouragement to read on, Agatha Christie has written yet another outstanding detective fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice, but not one of her best
Review: Christie's A.B.C. Murders is a nice, readable, read-while-you-travel sort of mystery novel. It probably won't leave a lasting impression on you (I had to reread it myself before I wrote this review), and it doesn't stand out among many other other Christie books. If you're a Christie fan, as I am, you'll get to this one in due course. If you're new to the world of Agatha Christie and are looking for a first taste, I recommend "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" or "And then there were none" first.
Still, there are a few nice little novelties in the plot and book that give it some character over other Poirot stories: First, the murderer sends a warning letter to Poirot before each murder, as a sort of challange to the detective to see if he can prevent them. In addition, the narration is different - jumping back and forth between Hastings telling the story first hand and occational third person narration. Another small point I found amusing is the Sherlock Holmes reference - possibly a small attempt by Christie to compare herself with England's other master mystery writer.
Unfortunately, all of these devices have a limited impact on the plot. Christie throws a red herring at the reader that is so emphasized and overexposed that it has very little credibility and loses its effectiveness. Also, it seems as though much of the narration is filler, waiting for the next murder to take place. Characters spend way too much time talking about thinking about the murders, rather than actually doing any thinking about them. You get the sense that Christie is stalling, because she can't have any meaningful occurences between the murders, and she has to write _something_ or the book would be too short.
Still, it's a Christie novel, so it can't be truely bad (ok, there's "Third Girl", but let's not talk about that). The story roles out nicely, the end is rather difficult to guess, and Poirot is Poirot, of course. As I've said, it's a nice read. You won't feel you've wasted your time, even if the story doesn't stay with after you put the book down.
Rating:
Summary: There is no one like...
Review: Christie.This book started a little slow, but soon picked up the pace. It's about a murderer who tells Poirot where the murder will take place but Poirot never seems to be able to get there on time. But, Poirot waits until the murderer makes a mistake. I know this is redundant but; the clues are there to point you in the right direction, but as usual unless you're POIROT u aren't gonna solve it.
Rating:
Summary: One of Christie's Better Ones
Review: Agatha Christie's mysteries are always at least very good. This one is excellent.
Poirot and Hastings are back together in this mystery. The book starts with Poirot receiving a note indicating that something will happen to someone whose name begins with "A" in Andover on a given date. The something of course is murder and the chase is on as the murderer proceeds deeper and deeper into the alphabet.
Atypical of Christie's works is that the murderer calls his shots in advance. As can be expected, there is the typically fine sleuthing. Unexpected, however, best describes the ending.
A fun read and highly recommend. Poirot is at the top of his game and is his usual immodestly engaging self.
Rating: 
Summary: Poirot and Hastings Hunt Together Again
Review: Captain Aruthur Hastings has returned to England from his ranch in the Argentine to tie up some affairs. One of his first stops is to see his dearest friend Hercule Poirot. The timing is perfect, as Poirot has been presented with one of his most unusual cases, a supreme exercise for the little grey cells.
Apparently, a homicidial maniac is terrorizing England as he taunts Poirot with advance notice of the time and place of his next murder. Because the victims and towns they live in occur in alphabetical order (Mrs. Ascher is killed in Andover, Miss Barnard in Bexhill, Mr. Clarke in Churston, etc.) and because the killer leaves an ABC Railway Guide at each murder scene, the case becomes known as the the ABC murders.
The set-up of this novel deviates from the normal Christie in that while Captain Hastings narrates the story as it has occurred, the reader is also privvy to the comings and goings of the rather strange Mr. Alexander Bonaparte Cust (notice the initials).
The humor is rampant as Poirot and Hastings chide each other over Poirot's dyed hair, Hastings uncanny ability to see the obvious without realizing it, and the unabashed appreciation both men have for a beautiful woman. And even in the midst of murder and mayhem, Poirot has time to do a little matchmaking on the side.
A box of hosiery, a dying woman's grasp of facts,a private murder concealed in a string of unrelated murders, and a meeting with the accused all climax in one of Poirot's most clever deductions as he solves this one and proclaims to his friend Hastings, "Vive le sport."
Rating:
Summary: Pretty good
Review: The A.B.C. Murders strength is also its weakness. It has a very unusual twist. That is typical of the Agatha Christie of the superb Murder of Roger Ackroyd and Murder on the Orient Express. The only problem in this mystery is that, for once, the twist seems a lot more forced, with a group of suspects that are not particularly unique or interesting. It still is alway good to read about Hercule Poirot and Hastings has returned for this adventure. And, of course, for those desiring a higher than usual Christie body count, this mystery provides a healthy dose of dead bodies. It makes for a pleasant summer read but is not up to the usual Christie standards and does not bear up to repeated visits unlike many of the Christie classics.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Poirot Mystery
Review: It is the Poirot Mystery I like best. There are few whodunits I want to read again, but this book is the exception. I read this book second time and I love it again. It is not only an excellent mystery, but also an excellent suspense story. The battle against the fiend who commits murders alphabetically is thrilling, fast-paced and highly enjoyable. Reading whodunits, I rarely feel sympathy for victims nor hatred to murderers. This book is the rare case. The murderer is really a cold-blooded fiend. Even affable Poirot expresses a cold rage to the murderer.
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