Sad Cypress: A Hercule Poirot Novel by Agatha Christie Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Sad Cypress: A Hercule Poirot Novel
Book Review: Lacks credible suspects
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very very good legal/coutroom thriller. The scenes of Elinor Carlisles trial are excellent, and show yet another aspect of Christie's talent. However, this novels lacks one thing. Any credible suspects to choose from. (Apart from two.) As such, its a bit of a daft mystery. the other suspects only come into the readers orbit once or twice in the entire story, so we dont even really consider them.
However, the plot construction is still good, the writing also, and the developement of the characters (especially Mary and Elinor) is very good. Poirots deductive powers are called to the fore once again. And even though there are so few real suspects, the solution manages to come as a bit of a surprise.
Book Review: A Neglected Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Agatha Christie is reknowned for creating apparently simple murder mysteries that unexpectedly twist for completely unexpected conclusions--and no where is this better seen than in SAD CYPRESS, a cleanly written tale about a romantic triangle that leads to murder with only one possible suspect.The novel opens with Elinor Carlisle actually in the dock, accused of double murder in an effort to hold the affections of her distant cousin and fiance Roderick Welman. When called into the case by a local doctor, Hercule Poirot discovers that Elinor behaves exactly as if she is guilty of the crime. Nonetheless, he agrees to investigate... and as Poirot works to uncover the truth, he finds that virtually everything about the crime indicates that Elinor did indeed commit the crimes--a circumstance which, almost perversely, makes him begin to question the guilt others have taken for granted.
This is one of Christie's least known but most effective novels, a work that deserves to be ranked with the likes of MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, THE ABC MURDERS, and A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED. The characters are among her most vivid, the story has an unpretentious atmosphere, and the solution is both absolutely reasonable and absolutely unexpected. Christie writes with considerable clarity, and the simplicity of her approach makes the story all the more effective. An impressive work, sure to please both old fans and newcomers alike; recommended.
Book Review: Another wonderful tale by Agatha Christie.
Summary: 5 Stars
I heard it said that Agatha Christie enjoyed writing to entertain her readers. This book proves this statement to be true. This book brings you in to the world of whodunit and you can't put it down untill you find the answer. A must read for everyone weather or not you are an Agatha Christie fan. Try it, you'll like.Book Review: Morphine, Murder, & Money
Summary: 5 Stars
Dr. Lord loves Elinor, who loves Roderick, who loves Mary. Aunt Laura Wellman loves them all. They all appear to love Aunt Laura's money. When Aunt Laura dies intestate, the question of who inherits seems simple indeed. The characters occasionally appear shallow, but they can also display depth of character. Elinor (who got Aunt Laura's estate) could be very likeable if she didn't hate Mary so. Despite her hatred, Elinor honors Aunt Laura's dying wish and settles a tidy sum on Mary. Mary behaves nobly throughout. Roderick acts like a dunce throughout, but is capable of occasional sparks of nobility. Dr. Lord stands on the sidelines and makes moon eyes at Elinor. Is this a murder mystery or a soap opera? Where is Hercule Poirot? Doesn't the cover say this is a Poirot mystery? That's the only reason I bought the radio play. I'm at the end of tape one, and no Poirot in sight.Mary dies and an autopsy reveals poisoning by morphine. Aunt Laura is exhumed and found to have died from morphine poisoning also. Elinor, who has motive and opportunity in spades for both deaths also appears to have the means. Finally Dr. Lord shakes off his inactivity and calls in Hercule Poirot to save the woman he loves.
Poirot engages in the usual snooping and deduction, catches everyone lying, reveals all the dark secrets, and guides Elinor's barrister in the defense of the case. He also figures out whodunnit. At least he amasses enough evidence to . . . but I don't want to give away the story. I'd hate to destroy your enjoyment when you figure it out for yourself.
When the time comes for Mary to die, you will have grown to like her so much that you will truly regret her killing. You will also share Dr. Lord's forlorn faith in Elinor's innocence. This novel has a much smaller cast of suspects than most Poirot novels, but the murderer's identity should remain opaque at least until the commencement of Elinor's trial.
The BBC radio play is very well done, as are all the BBC plays of Christie's Poirot stories, but the cover gives too great a hint as to the murderer's identity. Luckily, I pay more attention to the writing on the back of a book cover than I do to the picture on the front. I thus noticed the cover's significance only after I finished the play.
Book Review: Love Story Complete with Poisoning Is One of Christie's Best
Summary: 5 Stars
"Sad Cypress" deals with the eternal triangle which always ends with sadness for someone. In this case, Elinor Carlisle is the odd girl out as her fiance and distant cousin Roderick Welman falls madly in love with his and Elinor's childhood friend, Mary Gerrard, after Mary returns from years abroad. The three of them had been great friends at Hunterbury, the lavish estate of Mary's aunt Mrs. Laura Welman. Mrs. Welman had hoped Elinor and Roderick would marry one day and live at Hunterbury. Mrs. Welman dies suddenly without leaving a will. As her next of kin, Elinor inherits all. Although Mrs. Welman had spoken frequently of providing for Roderick and Mary, the lack of a will leaves them without recourse. In the midst of all this upheaval, Elinor prepares lunch for Mary one day, and Mary dies of morphine poisoning. With suspicion falling heavily on Elinor, the body of Mrs. Welman is exhumed and found to also contain morphine poisoning. All fingers point to Elinor for having killed Mary out of jealousy and her aunt in order to get the full estate. Only one person, Dr. Peter Lord, believes in Elinor's innocence and he calls in the inimitable Hercule Poirot to investigate. An excellent courtroom sequence and outstanding characters make this one of Christie's best, in my opinion.