Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie

Elinor Carlisle is awaiting trial for the murder of Mary Gerrard, who died from morphine poisoning. The evidence looks overwhelming to everyone, including Hercule Poirot, who accepts the case to uncover the truth about the murder. As he investigates, he finds little to dispel the charge of murder at first. But little by little, he uncovers lies and false testimony from some of the witnesses. Will these discoveries be enough to solve the murder?

As usual, Agatha Christie weaves a complex web in another original story that reveals her mastery of the classic whodunit. Poirot is not convinced of Elinor’s innocence, which gives his investigation and behaviour a different slant, adding to the growing tension.

The characters are sharply drawn and well portrayed, though none of them appear to be murder suspects on first glance. But Poirot doesn’t give up. He keeps digging and probing, seeing what others fail to see.

The story concludes with Elinor’s trial, which has some excellent clashes between the barristers and their witnesses, revealing yet another side of the author’s talents. Once again, the clues are in plain sight, the answer obvious when it’s finally revealed – if you’re Hercule Poirot.

The rest of us can only sit back and enjoy another riveting and original murder mystery from Agatha Christie.

Description

An elderly stroke victim dies without having arranged a will…

Beautiful young Elinor Carlisle stood serenely in the dock, accused of the murder of Mary Gerrard, her rival in love. The evidence was damning: only Elinor had the motive, the opportunity and the means to administer the fatal poison.

Yet, inside the hostile courtroom, only one man still presumed Elinor was innocent until proven guilty: Hercule Poirot was all that stood between Elinor and the gallows…