Hercule Poirot is sent to England in the famous "Orient Express". At first it seems a pleasant journey, and M. Buck, director of the company and an old friend of Poirot, helps him to stay with all amenities. Soon, one of the passengers, suspicious American named Retchett, Poirot offers to become his bodyguard for a large sum because Retchettu death threats, but is refused. At night, the train falls into a snow drift somewhere in the territory of Yugoslavia, as a detective continually awakened some vague cries, but soon there comes a dead silence. The next morning the lifeless body of Mr. Retchetta with multiple stab wounds found in its icy compartment. M. Buck asks Poirot to investigate this case ...