Mystery · Classics
The ABC Murders
Poirot receives a taunting letter warning of a murder in a town beginning with A, followed by another letter and another crime. The killer seems to be working through the alphabet and a railway timetable.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1936
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 331
- Format
- Book 12 of 48 in Hercule Poirot
Read this if you want a clever early take on the serial-killer mystery, in a classic puzzle form.
Skip this if you want graphic, psychological crime, as the tone remains polite and puzzle-focused.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The ABC Murders
- What is The ABC Murders about?
- Poirot receives a taunting letter warning of a murder in a town beginning with A, followed by another letter and another crime. The killer seems to be working through the alphabet and a railway timetable.
- Who should read The ABC Murders?
- Read it if you want a clever early take on the serial-killer mystery, in a classic puzzle form. Skip it if you want graphic, psychological crime, as the tone remains polite and puzzle-focused.
- How long and how fast is The ABC Murders?
- It is a fast-paced, short read of about 331 pages, first published in 1936.
- Does The ABC Murders have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Death, Violence.
- Can I borrow The ABC Murders for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The ABC Murders; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The ABC Murders?
- Readers who liked it often move on to And Then There Were None, The Bone Collector.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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