After the Funeral, Agatha Christie
What do we love best about Agatha Christie novels? The puzzling plots, the country estates, the staffs of servants who know more than they let on, the red herrings that keep us guessing until the last page and, of course, the surprising solutions when Hercule Poirot solves the case!
After the Funeral, published in 1953, has everything we find fascinating in Dame Agatha's mysteries. A very wealthy and powerful man, Roger Abernethie has died unexpectedly. Soon after a band of greedy relatives have gathered at his estate, Emberly Hall, for the reading of the will. Roger's dimwitted sister, Cora, is the first to ask the question that they'd all been thinking:
"He was murdered, wasn't he?"
Cora should have learned to keep her thoughts to herself because within 24 hours she is found brutally murdered. There is only one thing to do...call in the eccentric detective with the egg-shaped head, Hercule Poirot!
This book, while not among the most well known of the Christie classics, is certainly one of her best puzzles. Take the time to savor the plot, the wonderful characterizations and try your hand at solving the mystery before the final few pages. All the clues are there so match wits with M. Poirot, if you dare.
Read our biography of Agatha Christie.
