Sad Cypress is a Hercule Poirot mystery by Agatha Christie, which has been adapted over the years for radio and TV. I have watched all of the Poirot TV series starring David Suchet, and it's a perfect time to revisit the original book, and a nice quick read.
This was the only time Christie used the lovely-lady-in-the-dock-accused-of-murder ploy. Elinor Carlisle has been accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend Mary Gerrard with a poisoned fish paste sandwich.
Her wealthy aunt has just passed away as well, which could have been a morphine overdose. Elinor had opportunity as well as motive for both of the deaths, however, many others in the house also had ample chance to rifle Nurse Hopkins bag for the drug.
The wealthy aunt died without signing her new will, so there is a fortune to be handed down.
Who is Mary Gerrard anyway - Could she be a long lost relative in line to inherit the family fortune herself? Perhaps the poisoned sandwich was meant for Elinor all along. If Elinor gets the fortune, but is hanged for murder, who will benefit?
Enter Hercule Poirot who agrees to work with the family doctor to reveal the clues, for better or worse.
I found this a very entertaining read. Half courtroom drama, half murder mystery. Christie certainly telegraphs the clues to the reader, but you need to have the undisclosed information Poirot holds to actually piece together the motive. Ingenious in hindsight, and still fun to play amateur detective.
Not the most dynamic Agatha Christie, but interesting and involving.
1939 / Hardcover / 271 pages
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