Franz Ascher

In the novel The A.B.C. Murders, Franz Ascher is Alice Ascher's alcoholic husband and a prime suspect for Alice's murder. He is more terrified of her and may not be the killer.

Franz is German. He met and married Alice in London. She left him for good in 1922, and moved to Andover to get away from him.

Franz had been a waiter at one time, but he had started drinking, and gradually became unemployable. Alice allowed him fifteen shillings a week, but he frequently got drunk and made scenes at the places where she was employed. This led her to take a post with Miss Rose, who lived three miles out of Andover, where it was more difficult for Franz to get to her.

After Alice's death, Franz becomes a prime suspect, because it is known that he had often threatened to kill her. However, he insists that his threats were only joke between him and Alice, and also gives the names of friends who can alibi him for the time of the murder. Dick Willows, Curdie, George, and Platt are among the names he gives.

Mary Drower, Alice's niece, tells Poirot that Franz would often curse and swear at Alice, and say he would cut her throat. However, she says that she never thought that he meant it, and that Alice had not been afraid of him. She says that she had seen Franz slink away like a dog with its tail between its legs when she turned on him.

Portrayals
In the film adaptation of The A.B.C. Murders in Series 2 of ITV's Agatha Christie's Poirot, the part of Franz Ascher is played by Michael Mellinger.

In the anime show ABC Murders, NHK's adaptation of The A.B.C. Murders, the portrayal of Franz Ascher is close in the original book. He is seen being interviewed by the police. He does not list a number of friends who can alibi him. In fact he is too drunk to give sensible answers and just asks for another drink. Inspector Glenn says they will continue questioning him after he sobers up. The voice actor behind the character is not credited.