The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a work of detective fiction by British writer Agatha Christie, first published in June 1926. It is the third novel to feature Hercule Poirot as the lead detective.
In an English village, a young widow, Mrs Ferrars is found dead; she has taken her own life. Roger Ackroyd confides to his friend, Dr James Shepherd, who is the narrator of the book, that he was planning to marry Mrs Ferrars. But before her death he discovered that she had a dark secret; she killed her own husband and now someone is blackmailing her. Then, just as Ackroyd is about to find out the identity of the blackmailer, he’s murdered.
The novel was well-received from its first publication. In 2013, the British Crime Writers' Association voted it the best crime novel ever. It is one of Christie's best known and most controversial novels, its innovative twist ending having a significant impact on the genre and is considered by some to be one of the most influential crime novels ever written. The short biography of Christie which is included in 21st century UK printings of her books calls it her masterpiece.
England