The ABC Murders

A twisted genius taunts detective Hercule Poirot with bizarre clues left during a rash of alphabetical serial killings.

Caimans are distinguished from alligators, their closest relatives, by a few defining features: a lack of a bony septum between the nostrils, ventral armour composed of overlapping bony scutes formed from two parts united by a suture, and relatively longer, slenderer teeth than those possessed by alligators.

portage:the carrying of a boat or its cargo between two navigable waters. "the return journey was made much simpler by portage"

white waterfast: shallow stretches of water in a river. "whitewater rafting"

ornaments: a thing used to make something look more attractive but usually having no practical purpose, especially a small object such as a figurine.

cupborads, stumer(British : fraud, sham especially)

There's no practical difference in meaning between “half” and “one-half” — they both mean 50% of something. But the usage is also somewhat elastic and personal preferences do come into play.

crafty, epileptic, premeditation,

cut a figure：present oneself or appear in a particular way.

Finally :)