The Mystery of the Blue Train - (Mini Mysteries) by Marci Kay Monson (Hardcover)

About the Book

The Mystery of the Blue Train is one of Agatha Christie's early detective novels (a cozy mystery--no violence or gore), and where she continues to use the fictional detective Hercule Poirot as a major character. The story, set on a train bound for the French Riviera, is a true who-done-it full of mysterious characters, missing jewels, and teasing clues. Monson's retelling of the original book captures the plot and distills it in a way that is fun for children, gently ushering them into the literary world of Christie's mysteries. Along with the story, there are activities, games, and puzzles throughout to help with children's engagement, and might just foster a few budding detectives.

Book Synopsis

This retelling of Agatha Christie's The Mystery of the Blue Train is the second book in the Mini Mysteries series of interactive picture book mysteries for children.

"The second charming installment in the Mini Mysteries series makes murder feel marvelously cozy. The playful rhyming text is a pleasure to breeze through....Bustling, vibrant illustrations are packed with detail....A wonderful way to get young readers hooked on whodunits."--Booklist

The Mystery of the Blue Train is one of Agatha Christie's early detective novels (a cozy mystery--no violence or gore), and where she continues to use the fictional detective Hercule Poirot as a major character. The story, set on a train bound for the French Riviera, is a true who-done-it full of mysterious characters, missing jewels, and teasing clues. Monson's retelling of the original book captures the plot and distills it in a way that is fun for children, gently ushering them into the literary world of Christie's mysteries. Along with the story, there are activities, games, and puzzles throughout to help with children's engagement, and might just foster a few budding detectives.

There is also a glossary of terms and French words.

Review Quotes

The renowned Hercule Poirot is back on the case! Readers are cordially invited to climb aboard Le Train Bleu and assist the detective in working out the latest mystery: Who murdered Ruth Kettering as she slept in another passenger's sleeping car? From within the confines of chic train cars, the brilliant Belgian immediately puts his little gray cells to work. The plot thickens, witnesses are interrogated, and suspects multiply, but a final suspenseful spread reveals all. The second charming installment in the Mini Mysteries series makes murder feel marvelously cozy. The playful rhyming text is a pleasure to breeze through, keeping readers informed without taking the proceedings too seriously. Bustling, vibrant illustrations are packed with detail, and every glamorous spread features an additional activity to puzzle over: code cracking, spot-its, or word finds will keep eyes glued to the page. A stylish glossary helps define a few unusual English and French phrases (j'accuse, crime of passion). A wonderful way to get young readers hooked on whodunits.--Emily Graham "Booklist"

About the Author

Marci Kay Monson is an avid reader, crafter, and gardener. She received her BS in Technical Communications from Utah State University and a graduate certificate in publishing from the Denver Publishing Institute. She found a love for Agatha Christie when her book club read And Then There Were None and never looked back. She loves story, bright colors, and a little bit of (cozy and fictional) murder. Raised in Japan, England, and Germany, she now lives in Layton, Utah.

Greg Paprocki works full-time as an illustrator and book designer. He has illustrated several Curious George books, the Little Leonardo series, and the BabyLit alphabet board books including S Is for Santa, B Is for Boo, E Is for Easter, and C Is for Camping. Released fall 2024 in the alphabet series were D is for Dogs and M is for Monsters. Greg's Gibbs Smith titles have sold almost 975,000 copies. He lives in Omaha, Nebraska.