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Series: Hercule Poirot #6
Locale: England and France
Major characters:
- Rufus Van Aldin, American millionaire
- Major Knighton, his secretary
- Ruth Kettering, his daughter
- Derek Kettering, Ruth's husband
- Ada Mason, Ruth's maid
- Armand, Comte de la Roche, a pretender
- Mme. Mirelle, a Parisian dancer
- Emma Harfield, elderly matriarch
- Mary Ann (Mrs. Samuel) Harfield, Emma's cousin
- Katherine Grey, Emma's companion, with the grey eyes
- Lady Tamplin, Katherine's cousin
- Lenox Tamplin, Lady T''s daughter
Synopsis:
American millionaire Rufus Van Aldin has presented his daughter, Ruth Kettering, with a selection of priceless rubies as a gift. He is also trying to persuade her to divorce her husband, Derek Kettering, who is having an affair with Parisian dancer Mirelle. Ruth agrees. Ruth is no stranger to infidelity herself, having occasional trysts in Paris with greasy gigilo Armand, who has taken the illegitimate title of Comte de la Roche.
Wealthy matriarch Emma Harfield has passed away (prior to the story), leaving her entire estate to her long time companion, Katherine Grey. Katherine enjoys her new wealth with a spending spree on new clothes and travel to the Riviera. Two others proceed to suck up to Katherine with an eye on getting part of her booty: Mary Anne (Mrs. Samuel) Harfield, Emma's cousin; and Lady Tamplin, Katherine's cousin.
Ruth takes The Blue Train to the Riviera, and meets Katherine on board. Unknown to Ruth, her husband Derek is also on board. The next morning, Ruth is found murdered in her compartment; and the rubies missing. Derek stands to inherit her entire fortune, but if he is the murderer, why take the rubies? The police suspect the Comte de la Roche, who was also on board. Yet another passenger is Hercule Poirot who is asked by Van Aldin to find the murderer.
Review:
Aug 20 2025: reading now, please come back soon. RM
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