The story's first true publication was the US serialisation in six instalments in the Saturday Evening Post from 30 September to 4 November 1933 (Volume 206, Numbers 14 to 19). The title was Murder in the Calais Coach, and it was illustrated by William C. Hoople. [33] Murder in the Calais Coach". EBSCOhost. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014 . Retrieved 23 November 2012. The 18 suspects are an interesting bunch, but their characterisation is sketchy and I found it quite hard to form an opinion on the identity of the murderer and their motives. But Benedict is bang up to date with the inclusion of same sex couples, a person called Sam who uses the pronoun they, and a famous social media influencer. I learned quite a lot! The character Cyrus Hardman (the former American police officer turned private detective) has been largely amalgamated with the chauffeur Foscarelli (in as much as regards being the lover of the dead maid) and Dr. Constantine (who in the novel is unrelated to the murders) becomes a co-conspirator, depicted as having been the Armstrong family's doctor in America. Whatever you unwrap for Christmas, you had better hope it's this book. This is 21st-century cosy Christmas crime that doesn't shy away from the darkness. Eighteen passengers, seven stops, one killer Christmas read' JANICE HALLETT

All told I would be happy to recommend to anyone looking for a Christmas based crime novel. There are a number of themes involved in the story but I really enjoyed Murder on the Christmas Express. The perfect Christmas read . . . and puzzles galore for both readers and the players of the game’ W.C. RYANThe reviewer in The Guardian of 12 January 1934 noted that the murder would have been "perfect" (i.e. a perfect crime) had Poirot not been on the train and also overheard a conversation between Miss Debenham and Colonel Arbuthnot before he boarded; however, Poirot's "'little grey cells' worked admirably, and the solution surprised their owner as much as it may well surprise the reader, for the secret is well kept and the manner of the telling is in Mrs Christie's usual admirable manner." [9] Anderson, Isaac (4 March 1934). "Murder on the Orient Express (review)". The New York Times Book Review. New York City: New York Times Company. p.11.

A thoroughly modernized and poorly received made-for-TV version starring Alfred Molina as Poirot was presented by CBS in 2001. This version co-starred Meredith Baxter as Mrs Hubbard and Leslie Caron as Señora Alvarado (based on Princess Dragomiroff, and portrayed as the widow of a South American dictator). Poirot is portrayed as significantly younger and less eccentric than Christie's detective, and is given a subplot involving a romantic relationship with Vera Rosakoff, who is loosely based on an infrequently recurring character of the same name. The story is updated to a contemporary setting, and four of the suspects (Hildegarde Schmidt, Cyrus Hardman, Edward Masterman and Greta Ohlsson) are deleted, as is Dr Constantine. [28] Agatha Christie's Poirot: "Murder on the Orient Express" (2010) [ edit ] Busch, Anita (5 January 2017). "Willem Dafoe Joins Ensemble Cast Of Fox's 'Murder On The Orient Express' ". Deadline Hollywood. Los Angeles, California: Penske Media Corporation . Retrieved 5 January 2017.Morgan, Janet (1984). Agatha Christie, A Biography. New York City: HarperCollins. pp.201–04. ISBN 0-00-216330-6. Die ehemalige Polizisten Roz hat von ihren Kollegen eine Fahrt erster Klasse im Weihnachts-Express nach Schottland geschenkt bekommt. Sie möchte zu ihrer Tochter und deren Partnerin. Die beiden erwarten minütlich ihr erstes Kind und Roz hofft, pünktlich zur Geburt dort zu sein. Das Schneegestöber behindert jedoch den Bahnverkehr und der Zug startet mit Verspätung. Auf der Fahrt denkt Roz immer wieder an die Vergangenheit und dass sie es nicht leicht mit ihrer Mutter hatte und mit ihrer Tochter. Schottland soll ein Neuanfang werden. Nach und nach lernt sie die anderen Passagiere kennen. Einige sind ihr sofort sympathisch, auf andere Bekanntschaften könnte sie auch verzichten. There is a dark side to this story with some very difficult themes explored including rape which could be triggering for some. Dr. Stavros Constantine: a Greek physician, who, after the murder, determines Ratchett's time of death.