The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

To be discussed on September 1, 2010 at 6:30 pm.

Roger Ackroyd knew too much. He knew that the woman he loved had poisoned her brutal first husband. He suspected also that someone had been blackmailing her. Now, tragically, came the news that she had taken her own life with a drug overdose. But the evening post brought Roger one last fatal scrap of information. Unfortunately, before he could finish the letter, he was stabbed to death!

When the widow Mrs. Ferrars commits suicide and the businessman Roger Ackroyd is murdered in the space of just a few days, the small English village King's Abbot is even more full of gossip than usual. The murder is a complete mystery to the local police. Fortunately, though, the (attemptedly) retired Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is also living in the village, and agrees to come out of retirement one last time to solve the case.

1. What was the effect for Poirot and his investigation of having James be his right hand man during the investigation?

2. Did James hamper the investigation in any way?

3. What did James do to influence the investigation, and how did he play with the clues in order to frame Ralph and keep himself looking innocent?

4. Why did Poirot offer James a way out at the end? What does that tell us about Poirot's character?

5. Compare and contrast Poirot and Inspector Raglan. Discuss how their personalities and investigative methods differ.

6. What is John's profession?

7. How does Caroline find out about Mrs. Ferrars?

8. Who does James live with?

9. Why doesn't James trust Caroline with information?

10. Explain the relationship between Dr. James Sheppard and his sister, Caroline.

11. What is the Intelligence Corps and what role does it play?

12. What is Caroline's theory about Mrs. Ferrars' death and the death of Mr. Ferrars a year ago?

13. How does James feel about Caroline's theory regarding Mrs. Ferrars' death?