The murder of Roger Ackroyd

"The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" by Agatha Christie is a classic detective novel written in the early 20th century. The story introduces us to Dr. James Sheppard, a country physician who becomes embroiled in the investigation of a murder that shakes the small village of King’s Abbot. The central mystery revolves around the death of Roger Ackroyd, who is found murdered in his study shortly after receiving a mysterious confession letter from a deceased local widow, Mrs. Ferrars. At the start of the book, Dr. Sheppard recounts the events leading up to the shocking murder of Roger Ackroyd. The narrative begins with the death of Mrs. Ferrars, which stirs up local gossip and suspicion among the residents, particularly in relation to her past with Ackroyd. As theories emerge, including those from Dr. Sheppard's inquisitive sister Caroline, a complex web of relationships and potential motives is established. The chapter concludes with a sense of foreboding as Ackroyd is later found dead with a dagger in his back, leading to urgent inquiries and heightened tension in the village, setting the stage for a classic whodunit investigation. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, was a British author known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime"—a moniker which is now trademarked by her estate—or the "Queen of Mystery". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.