The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

This was one of Agatha’s earliest works first published in 1926 and for myself I feel it gives an insight into the attitude to women in this period. For example Flora Ackroyd is expected to marry the man of her stepfather’s choosing without having any opinion of her own in it, it is also made very clear she has no money of her own and is kept very tight for money by Ackroyd – there is never any indication that it would be acceptable for her to get a job and that it is very much expected she marry within the family to keep the money in the direct line – the emphasis being very much on the making of a suitable rather than love match. This is also one of the earliest appearances of Hercule Poirot who was to become one on of her most popular and beloved creations. Much of the book is written from the perspective of the local Dr James Sheppard who from the start of the story is the central character sharing his perspective on the other villagers and their interactions with himself and each other.

But is it the Housekeeper who was thwarted in her plans to marry the deceased? was it the nephew who was in need of funds? was it the neice or sister with no money of their own? Seemingly every member of Mr Ackroyd's household had a motive for murder.

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