"The luxurious Blue Train carries its passengers across France, from dreary wintertime England to the sunny French Riviera. When it arrives at Nice, a guard attempts to wake serene Ruth Kettering from her slumber. But she will never wake again -- she has been killed, and a heavy blow has disfigured her features almost beyond recognition. What is more, her precious rubies are missing and her ever-present maid was dismissed from the train back in Paris....

"This is a guide to 10 lesser-known rewarding daytrips, within half an hour of Paris by train. Discover half-hidden châteaux and artists country houses. Walk, boat or dance by the river. Explore old towns and country footpaths. Eat in family-run restaurants with 1950s decor and prices to match. Based on over 20 years experience of exploring the Paris countryside by train, each visit includes the essential historical context and practical information...

Bound for the Riviera, detective Hercule Poirot has boarded Le Train Bleu, an elegant, leisurely means of travel, free of intrigue. Then he meets Ruth Kettering. The American heiress, bailing out of a doomed marriage, is en route to reconcile with her former lover. But by morning, her private affairs are made public when she is found murdered in her luxury compartment. The rumour of a strange man loitering in the victim's shadow is all Poirot has...