This started off a little slow, and introduced a lot of characters; it was hard to keep track of them at first. Also, the point of view kept shifting, and we didn't actually see much of Poirot.

The second half picked up a bit, and I didn't completely solve the mystery, so it was a solid read, overall.

However, it did contain some profanity, including God's name used as an exclamation. ( )

"I was wrong about that young man of yours. A man when he is making up to anybody can be cordial and gallant and full of little attentions and altogether charming. But when a man is really in love he can't help looking like a sheep. Now, whenever that young man looked at you he looked like a sheep. I take back all I said this morning. It is genuine." ( )

She got me again. I can sometimes identify the culprit before she reveals it but not on this one. There is a rich heiress in an unhappy marriage, a famous ruby, a powerful father to the unhappy daughter and a philandering husband (never mind that Mrs. Kettering is on the train to redezvous with her former lover, who is also a potential killer). Was Mrs. Kettering killed for her jewels or did her estranged husband seek to insure he would retain her wealth having discovered she is seeking a divorce? Or is her father enraged that she has taken up again with her former lover who he felt was unfit? It is a delightful read with false trails aplenty and I always enjoy the train as a settng. She has once again assembled a cast of likely culprits providing one and all with a motive or desire for the death that keeps the reader looking for suspects. But this one has a major red herring that threw me. I won't spoil it, but it is a good mystery and a great read! ( )

Interesting book ( )

Final queer count: 6

A great book! A bit slow on the uptake but sped through the last half. Absolutely was not expecting that twist at the end!! ( )