The A.B.C. Murders

A superb example of Christie drawing on real life events for her inspiration. Inspired by the horror of the true life serial killer Jack the Ripper, Christie sought to reduce the violence in The ABC Murders. She was more interested in mystery than horror. Was she wrong to do this? Would the book be better if the truly savage crimes of a serial killer were described in more detail? An ever changing society is depicted through the use of the railways. Most people were travelling by train and the golden age of steam was at its height. If Christie drew on contemporary society in this way, then why ignore the effects of the depression? Whilst the depression is hinted at with Hasting's return from Argentina, Christie does not explore its effects on England. Was her depiction of genteel tea rooms and girls in service out of date?