Well, the 'Murder on the Orient Express' has elements that are drawn from a true story. Christie used the general idea of a high - profile crime as a starting point. But in the book, she added her own fictional characters, motives, and the intricate plot twists that we all love. So it's not a completely accurate retelling of a true story but has its roots in real - life events.
Yes, it is based on a true story to some extent. The real - life crimes of that era, especially those that caught public attention like the Lindbergh baby case, provided Christie with the backdrop and inspiration. But she transformed it into a unique and thrilling detective story set on the Orient Express. She created a web of suspects and a clever detective in Hercule Poirot who unravels the mystery in a way that is very much her own fictional creation.