The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

First published in 1926, this detective novel is narrated by Dr James Sheppard, a physician in the village of King's Abbott. After the widow Mrs Ferrars dies, the wealthy Roger Ackroyd is found stabbed in his study; a dictaphone, a missing butler, and a blackmail plot confuse the household. Hercule Poirot, retired next door to grow vegetable marrows, takes the case, questioning Ralph Paton, Flora Ackroyd, and the servants. The inquiry turns on who could enter the study after a telephone call. The book is a village murder puzzle, not a police procedural.

Three-quarter bound in blocked cloth with a colour printed and blocked textured paper front cover. Dark blue endpapers. Plain slipcase.