1- Who was your favourite character?
The obvious answer is Caroline, because it's interesting to see Christie's first experiment with the character type that eventually became Miss Marple. But I also love watching Poirot work--making himself somewhat ridiculous to these English people, but knowing all the while that he's got them pretty much where he wants them, and only slipping up once (when he makes the point about the fingerprints and ruffles Inspector Raglan's feathers).
2- Was there a particular part you enjoyed more than the rest
Count me among those who enjoy the mah jongg party. In retrospect, I also love the scene where Poirot explains his methods to Dr. Sheppard - it's a brilliant piece of writing by Christie.
3- Was this the first book you've read in this genre/by this author/has it encouraged you to read more?
This was the last of her major works that I picked up; I'd already gotten through And Then There Were None, The Body in the Library, and Poirot's Big Five (Thirteen at Dinner, Murder on the Orient Express, The ABC Murders, Cards on the Table, Death on the Nile). I'd also read sporadic works here and there. Recently, however, I've made a concerted effort to read all of Christie's books in order, and Ackroyd was the seventh (as a trivia note, her eighth book, The Big Four, actually takes place before Ackroyd; the stories in it appeared in serial form in the newspapers before being collected and published in book form).
4- Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with?
I have to admit that I had no idea what a vegetable marrow was until I found this thread. Likewise, I can't quite see how Ralph Paton meekly allowed himself to be gotten out of the way--that part didn't ring true at all.
5- What were your thoughts about Poirot?
I love the character, especially since I know that at least half of his schtick is an act--in Three Act Tragedy, he admits that he exaggerates his foreign-ness and conceit for effect, and to put people off their guard.
6- Did you work out whodunnit, who was on your suspect list?
Not even close. I knew there was a twist coming, but I thought it would be something along the lines of a character we'd seen once turning out to be the criminal. That Poirot's Hastings stand-in turned out to be the killer completely took me by surprise, and I can see why half the mystery world wanted Christie's head on a platter when this was first published--but I can also see why the other half thought it was the most brilliant deception in the history of the genre.
7- In hindsight, were there clues early on as to the guilt of Dr Sheppard?
Yes, but that was one of Christie's gifts - she was an expert at dropping clues within the story that you passed over without noticing.
8- Do you feel justice was done?
As Mrs. Ferrars says, a life calls for a life. Dr. Sheppard pays for his crime just as surely as if he'd been hanged for it, and while his suicide won't spare Caroline the grief of his death and the embarrassment of knowing her brother was a murderer, it WILL spare her having to see him arrested, tried, condemned, and publicly executed.
9- Overall was reading the book an enjoyable experience?
Absolutely.
10- Would you recommend the book and if so to whom?
Anyone who enjoys the "cozy" genre of mysteries - the Mike Hammer crowd, probably not so much.