The mystery of the Blue Train: 40 words to know before you read it
The 40 words Agatha Christie uses again and again in The mystery of the Blue Train that are outside the 4,000 most common in English. Learn them first and the opening chapters read much more easily. Each comes with its pronunciation and a sentence from the book.
murmur/ˈmɝmɝ/93× in the book
He nodded murmuring: "I do not think I have been followed."
compartment/kəmˈpɑɹtmənt/80× in the book
After disembarking at Calais and settling herself down with her maid in her double compartment in the Blue Train, she went along to the luncheon car.
jewel/ˈdʒuəɫ/70× in the book
Ruth Kettering loved jewels—always had done so.
millionaire/ˌmɪɫjəˈnɛɹ/66× in the book
The American millionaire nodded his head in a casual greeting.
maid/ˈmeɪd/47× in the book
In another minute the little maid-servant opened the door and announced rather breathlessly:
ruby/ˈɹubi/36× in the book
"It is the rubies, I suppose?"
mistress/ˈmɪstɹəs/28× in the book
She drew aside as her mistress came up to her.
thoughtfully/ˈθɔtfəɫi/25× in the book
"He will give them, of course, to some woman," said Olga thoughtfully.
conductor/kənˈdəktɝ/25× in the book
She passed the open door of her friend's compartment and saw the conductor making up the bed.
charm/ˈtʃɑɹm/19× in the book
Knighton had proved quick, intelligent, and resourceful, and he had a distinct charm of manner.
softly/ˈsɔfɫi/19× in the book
"And supposing," he said softly, "that, just for argument's sake, I did defend the case?"
grey/ˈɡɹeɪ/17× in the book
He apologized, and she accepted his apologies with a smiling reassurance and passed on, leaving with him a pleasant impression of a soothing personality and rather fine grey eyes.
cough/ˈkɑf/17× in the book
"How much do you think you would get her to cough up?"
foolish/ˈfuɫɪʃ/17× in the book
Very foolish of her.
fool/ˈfuɫ/17× in the book
"A man who has made as much money as he has could not possibly be a fool," said Olga.
keen/ˈkin/16× in the book
His keen glance went from one to the other.
politely/pəˈɫaɪtɫi/15× in the book
he inquired politely.
depart/dɪˈpɑɹt/14× in the book
He kissed her affectionately and departed.
frown/ˈfɹaʊn/14× in the book
He frowned to himself.
alibi/ˈæɫəˌbaɪ/13× in the book
It is possible that the Comte may have an alibi.
doubtless/ˈdaʊtɫəs/13× in the book
"From your point of view she doubtless is," said Van Aldin grimly.
curiously/ˈkjʊɹiəsɫi/13× in the book
asked Krassnine curiously.
murderer/ˈmɝdɝɝ/13× in the book
"The murderer was carried away by rage, doubtless," he suggested.
eyebrow/ˈaɪˌbɹaʊ/13× in the book
Derek Kettering raised his eyebrows.
faint/ˈfeɪnt/13× in the book
A faint smile irradiated his face.
discreet/dɪsˈkɹit/12× in the book
The butler who opened the door recognized Rufus Van Aldin at once and permitted himself a discreet smile of greeting.
fond/ˈfɑnd/12× in the book
"It is not as though your wife were fond of you."
mutter/ˈmətɝ/12× in the book
"Tough customers," he muttered, with a chuckle.
damn/ˈdæm/12× in the book
"This damned American—he can look after himself as well as anybody."
curt/ˈkɝt/11× in the book
On arriving back at the Savoy, he gave a curt order to Knighton.
twinkle/ˈtwɪŋkəɫ/11× in the book
"She's a saint with a sense of humour," said the doctor's wife, twinkling.
temperament/ˈtɛmpɝmənt/11× in the book
But to be merely comfortably off is hardly satisfactory to one of Rosalie Tamplin's temperament.
inquire/ˌɪnˈkwaɪɹ/11× in the book
said the inquirer.
carriage/ˈkæɹɪdʒ/11× in the book
She went back to her own carriage.
sensible/ˈsɛnsəbəɫ/11× in the book
"You're a sensible woman," said the doctor.
brow/ˈbɹaʊ/11× in the book
As he read it his face darkened, his mouth set grimly in the line which Wall Street knew so well, and his brows knit themselves ominously.
valet/væˈɫeɪ/10× in the book
Van Aldin gave himself into the hands of his valet.
overcoat/ˈoʊvɝˌkoʊt/10× in the book
She gave him no greeting, but helped him off with his overcoat and then led the way into the tawdrily furnished sitting-room.
berth/ˈbɝθ/10× in the book
"See if there is a berth left," said Derek.
parcel/ˈpɑɹsəɫ/10× in the book
"You are sure—the parcel is safe?
Pronunciation: ipa-dict (MIT), from Wiktionary.
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