After the Funeral, Agatha Christie

 

The Book

After enjoying many years of good health, Richard Abernathie got sick and declined rather quickly. In the mode of the day (1953), he was buried a few days after the inquest. (Ah, the English and their death inquests. Are they quirky for having them, or are we quirky because we don't? I wish I knew.) After the family returns home after the funeral, his sister, the outcast, rather outspoken, married to an artist Cora Lansquenet says, "But he was murdered, wasn't he?" 

Everyone thinks she's batty until late the next day, she is found murdered--axed to death, in her own bed! Now the long time family solicitor is so worried that he consults his old friend Hercule Poirot. With Poirot on the case, sure it will get solved? 

But before Poirot can get started, Cora's paid companion is poisoned with arsenic. Now Poirot must do everything he can to untangle lies from the truth before all of the Abernathies end up dead!

My Thoughts

Oh my gosh, so many clues! So many red herrings!  Poor Poirot. Whatever will he do? He hires another investigator to get him background information on the Abernathie clan. He interviews nuns, of all things, despite none of the Abernathies being Catholic, and he resorts to undercover work in order to get information from the family. 

One never knows! I enjoyed Poirot, playing his little games. So much fun here in these last few books. In a book where him being a famous detective would put pressure on the suspect, nobody knows who he is. In this book, where he conceals his identity to gain unfettered access to the family, he's recognized! Mon dieu! 

This is a great plot twist, but one I saw coming. This is Christie playing most fair with the audience, if you know how to read the clues. A fun little read, but I don't know if I will pick it up again. 

How Much My Library Card Saved Me

At 286 pages this is one of Christie's longest. It came to me from Indian Trails Public Library. There is a stain on the inside back cover, not far about that is a sticker that says this William Morrow paperback entered their system in March of 2015. The book is slightly beat up, but it doesn't look it's 10 years. It looks maybe half of that. It was easy to hold, with not markings or dogears. The back cover says the book cost $12.99, that is the number I will use. 

This Book                                                        $12.99

Items Reviewed This Year                             $452.82

Private Books

This Book                                                        $0.00

Total of Private Books                                    $44.89

Total of All Items Reviewed This Year         $517.59

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