The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
by Agatha Christie, Mark Shanahan

Name: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Brand: Agatha Christie
SKU: 9780573711022
Rating: 4.11 (9 reviews)

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd Book Cover — The Murder of Roger Ackroyd Cover

Highlights

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120 mins 1920s Ensemble Cast Unit Set/Multiple Settings Period Costumes

Synopsis

When Mrs. Ferrars is discovered dead from an apparent suicide, the tiny village of King’s Abbot is rocked by scandal.

Her fiancé, Roger Ackroyd, the wealthiest man in town, suspects foul play.

But within hours, Ackroyd too, is found dead – a victim of murder!

Investigating the crime in a mansion filled with suspects – each with their own motive – has left the local police baffled.

Fortunately, a mysterious newcomer who claims to be a retired detective has arrived in King’s Abbott and is on the case.

But, in a secretive household where nothing is as it seems, can the mystery of whodunit be solved before the murderer strikes again?

From the Queen of Crime comes a thrilling tale of greed, blackmail and murder most foul.

Agatha Christie’s ingenious 1926 novel The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd cemented her reputation as the greatest mystery novelist of all time.

The story’s shocking twist ending has thrilled readers for generations and has been called “the best and most cunning solution devised in her storied career.”

Now, the landmark novel comes to the stage in a new and fast-moving adaptation by Edgar Award-nominated playwright Mark Shanahan.

Filled with colorful characters, outrageous laughter and nail-biting suspense, this Christie classic is sure to leave audiences guessing, gasping and delighting in the case long after the curtain has come down.

Press Reviews

"Posh and elegant... Murder is good entertainment, fit for a summer’s night, with a clever twist you may, or probably may not, see coming."
— Houston Press

"A whodunit done right... This world premiere adaptation of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd elegantly transfers Christie’s rich mystery from the page to the stage."
— Houston Chronicle

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Caroline Sheppard The nosy sister of James. She prizes gossip above all uses it to her advantage whether it is correct or not.	female	—	The nosy sister of James. She prizes gossip above all uses it to her advantage whether it is correct or not.
Herule Poirot The Belgian detective, in retirement.	—	—	The Belgian detective, in retirement.
Ralph Paton Young and handsome, Ackroyd’s foster son. Wild, with a restless past, Ralph is a bit of a loner and hates his status as the ne’er-do-well foster child of a wealthy man.	male	—	Young and handsome, Ackroyd’s foster son. Wild, with a restless past, Ralph is a bit of a loner and hates his status as the ne’er-do-well foster child of a wealthy man.
Miss Helen Russell Roger Ackroyd’s personal secretary. A stern and tight-lipped woman. She controls Ackroyd’s personal and business affairs with a steady hand, while keeping secrets of her own.	female	—	Roger Ackroyd’s personal secretary. A stern and tight-lipped woman. She controls Ackroyd’s personal and business affairs with a steady hand, while keeping secrets of her own.
Roger Ackroyd The wealthy businessman and lord of Fernly Hall. Ackroyd is an emotional man and the center of much attention in the town of King’s Abbot.	male	—	The wealthy businessman and lord of Fernly Hall. Ackroyd is an emotional man and the center of much attention in the town of King’s Abbot.
Flora Ackroyd Roger Ackroyd’s niece. Young, beautiful and willful. Though she has lived a life of privilege, she and her mother have fallen on hard times. She appears to have a warm and generous nature, though can turn suddenly cold when confronted.	female	—	Roger Ackroyd’s niece. Young, beautiful and willful. Though she has lived a life of privilege, she and her mother have fallen on hard times. She appears to have a warm and generous nature, though can turn suddenly cold when confronted.
Major Hector Blunt A big game hunter and friend of Roger Ackroyd’s who has come to stay at Fernly. A man who has lived all over the world, he believes he understands human nature better than anyone at Fernly.	male	—	A big game hunter and friend of Roger Ackroyd’s who has come to stay at Fernly. A man who has lived all over the world, he believes he understands human nature better than anyone at Fernly.
Ursula Bourne A young maid at Fernly. Possesses a strong backbone. She tries desperately to keep her opinions to herself, but she knows more about the comings and goings at Fernly than she is willing to admit.	female	—	A young maid at Fernly. Possesses a strong backbone. She tries desperately to keep her opinions to herself, but she knows more about the comings and goings at Fernly than she is willing to admit.
Parker The butler at Fernly Hall. He is proper and seemingly meek at first glance. The job is everything to him, or so it seems. But he often seems to be underfoot when you least expect him.	male	—	The butler at Fernly Hall. He is proper and seemingly meek at first glance. The job is everything to him, or so it seems. But he often seems to be underfoot when you least expect him.
Gertrude Ackroyd Roger Ackroyd’s eccentric sister-in-law and mother to Flora. Flamboyant and overbearing, she resents her dependence on Roger Ackroyd.	female	—	Roger Ackroyd’s eccentric sister-in-law and mother to Flora. Flamboyant and overbearing, she resents her dependence on Roger Ackroyd.
Inspector Raglan An Inspector from Cranchester. Not the best of the lot, though seemingly well intentioned. But why doesn’t he see the obvious?	male	—	An Inspector from Cranchester. Not the best of the lot, though seemingly well intentioned. But why doesn’t he see the obvious?
Dr. James Sheppard Our narrator. The local doctor for King’s Abbot. Affable, smart and a good storyteller.	male	—	Our narrator. The local doctor for King’s Abbot. Affable, smart and a good storyteller.