Ruth Kettering as portrayed in Agatha Christie's Poirot
In The Mystery of the Blue Train, The Honourable Mrs Ruth Kettering (née Van Aldin) was the daughter of Rufus Van Aldin. She was twenty-eight and had auburn hair. She lived with her husband Derek on 160 Curzon Street. The telephone number is Mayfair 81907.
Characters with a connection to Ruth[]
Rufus Van Aldin - Ruth’s father, who gave Ruth a precious ruby. He didn’t like the fact that Ruth was married to Derek.
Derek Kettering - Ruth’s husband, who married the latter only for inheritance.
Armand, count de la Roche- Ruth’s lover, an amateur burglar
Mirelle - Derek’s lover, a dancer at Parthenon, who wanted Derek to divorce from Ruth. She had the opportunity to kill Ruth
Ada Mason - Ruth Kettering’s personal maid
Role in the novel (several spoilers ahead)[]
Ruth Kettering was strangled and disfigured onboard Le Train Bleu, and her ruby "Heart of Fire" was stolen. Derek was arrested for her murder, and then released by Poirot. The murderer of the case was actually Ada, who had killed Ruth with her accomplice.