THE MYSTERY OF THE BLUE TRAIN (MINI MYSTERIES), by Marci Kay Monson and Greg Paprocki, Gibbs Smith, Oct. 28, 2025, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)
Agatha Christie’s The Mystery of the Blue Train is adapted for young readers in Marci Kay Monson and Greg Paprocki’s new book by the same title.
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. —Synopsis provided by Gibbs Smith
The Mystery of the Blue Train is the second book in the Mini Mysteries series of interactive picture book mysteries for children, and it is just as fun as the first book, The Mysterious Affair at Styles.
Author Marci Kay Monson once again employs rhythmic text to make this murder mystery anything but scary. Information comes fast and activities make you want to stay for a while. Readers are right next to Poirot as they help solve the clues. Artist Greg Paprocki’s colorful illustrations are full of energy and movement, pairing perfectly with the text.
My 11-year-old is working her way through the Poirot books, and finished The Mystery of the Blue Train last month. (It’s one of her favorites so far.) And when she saw this picture book version, she happily perused it — even though it’s too young for her.
This charming version of The Mystery of the Blue Train is a enticing whodunit for budding detectives.
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