Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie
ISBN: 9780007120734
Description
Beautiful Caroline Crale was convicted of poisoning her husband, yet there were five other suspects: Philip Blake (the stockbroker) who went to market; Meredith Blake (the amateur herbalist) who stayed at home; Elsa Greer (the three-time divorcee) who had roast beef; Cecilia Williams (the devoted governess) who had none; and Angela Warren (the disfigured sister) who cried 'wee wee wee' all the way home. It is sixteen years later, but Hercule Poirot just can't get that nursery rhyme out of his mind!
Reviewed on 7th July 2012
Hercule Poirot returns to investigate a crime some seventeen years old, in an attempt to clear the name of the woman found guilty. While I thought that Agatha Christie's odd habit of basing her stories around nursery rhymes wouldn't work, in this example it does, and provides a framework for an excellent mystery.
I'll confess that the fact that I managed to work out the correct solution may have biased my opinion of this novel, but even before that I thought it was more interesting than some of the typical 'country house' murders. The structure of the story is quite academic, being split into sections by witness, and with chapters written from each of their perspectives.
A really good Poirot novel, which has re-awakened my love for the character.
Description
Beautiful Caroline Crale was convicted of poisoning her husband, yet there were five other suspects: Philip Blake (the stockbroker) who went to market; Meredith Blake (the amateur herbalist) who stayed at home; Elsa Greer (the three-time divorcee) who had roast beef; Cecilia Williams (the devoted governess) who had none; and Angela Warren (the disfigured sister) who cried 'wee wee wee' all the way home. It is sixteen years later, but Hercule Poirot just can't get that nursery rhyme out of his mind!
Reviewed on 7th July 2012
Hercule Poirot returns to investigate a crime some seventeen years old, in an attempt to clear the name of the woman found guilty. While I thought that Agatha Christie's odd habit of basing her stories around nursery rhymes wouldn't work, in this example it does, and provides a framework for an excellent mystery.
I'll confess that the fact that I managed to work out the correct solution may have biased my opinion of this novel, but even before that I thought it was more interesting than some of the typical 'country house' murders. The structure of the story is quite academic, being split into sections by witness, and with chapters written from each of their perspectives.
A really good Poirot novel, which has re-awakened my love for the character.
One for the Money
Star Trek Into Darkness
Alcatraz Versus the Shattered Lens
The Never-Ending Sacrifice
The Reptile Room
Above Suspicion
City of Dragons
Hey Nostradamus!
Mrs McGinty's Dead
The Mermaids Singing
Ark Angel
The Black Echo
The Final Detail
Storm Front
The Amber Spyglass
No Deals, Mr Bond
Dragonflight
The Mystery of the Vanishing Treasure
The Magicians' Guild
Not Dead Enough
The Watchman
A Storm of Swords (2: Blood and Gold)
Laughing Gas
Mortal Causes
Redshirts
The Accused
The Mystery of the Hidden House
Eragon
Ghost Ship
Diamond Solitaire
Don't Touch Anything
The Way of Kings (part one)
The Way of Kings (part two)
Elantris
The Grave Tattoo
Blood at the Bookies
Pulling Up Stakes (part 2)
