Book #71 Murder on the Orient Express

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My first read of MOTOE was in the early 1970s with a second punt in the 1990s. This latest paperback edition is exclusive to Waterstones and it is a pity that the wonderful art-deco cover has not been reproduced. It was this that drew me to the novel, once again. It has been published to coincide with the latest screen adaptation directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot. He will find David Suchet a difficult act to follow!

There cannot be many, if any, in the Goodreads fraternity, who have not read Murder on the Orient Express so I won't dwell on the plot. It was a joy to read once more and reacquaint myself with the characters. Needless to say there were passages and events that I had completely forgotten and to follow the clue trail once again proved to be - difficult, even though I knew 'Who did it'!

Christie's evocation of the golden age of travel is sumptuous and it remains a desire of mine to travel on the Simplon-Orient Express, although I doubt that the romance, so endearingly described by Christie, could ever be the same.

I find myself now on a mission to revisit Christie's back catalogue. I have read most of them during the last forty years but the thrill, I am sure, will be the same. How about 'The Mystery of the Blue Train'. Anyone?

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Book #14 Night Trains: The Rise and Fall of the Sleeper

Night Trains: The Rise and Fall of the Sleeper by Andrew Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a helpless train buff with a passion for steam locomotives. Andrew Martin has written several books about railways and in Night Trains his passion for the golden age of European sleeper trains shines through. I share his enthusiasm; my last journey on a night train was on The Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston to Inverness in Scotland. Most of the famous night trains have fallen on hard times and the services are disappearing. Whose heart would not skip a beat at the possibility of travelling on Le Train Bleu or The Orient Express ? In trying to recreate these journeys Martin encounters intriguing characters and some of his anecdotes are highly amusing.

In one way or another the author manages to replicate routes followed by: The Blue Train, The Nordland Railway, Paris-Venice, The Orient Express, The Sud Express and The Berlin Night Express as he traverses the continent during 'interesting times'.

For him - and me for that matter - trains can still be the most civilised way to travel. He has an indomitable spirit when it comes to recreating these journeys as he faces many logistical problems. These add to the enjoyment of this fascinating read.

If you are a train buff, like me, you will - I am sure - thoroughly enjoy this book.

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