I had a really good time with this one, and the mystery in this one was actually one of the most intriguing of hers to me, even though it isn’t one of her most popular. I’m not sure why it’s one of her more lowly-rated ones. Maybe because Poirot pulls a Marple and is barely in it?
The plot in this one kicks off as family patriarch Richard Abernethie’s funeral. He was ill for a long time, but had been predicted to live at least another couple of years, so his death was still unexpected. Some people believe the death of his last son left him nothing to live for. His sister Cora Lansquenet, infamous for blurting out things without thinking, tells everyone at the funeral, “But he was murdered wasn’t he?” The family is bemused, not sure how to react. The next day she herself is murdered in her own bed. Violently. A real axe-murder! (Technically a hatchet, but I’m taking it.)
We spend the most time with the family lawyer, who is trying to determine whether or not Cora’s claims of murder had merit so the family can lay the matter to rest. He does most of the leg-work on the investigation, but as it turns out he is also friends with Hercule Poirot so he ropes him in as a favor. I thought the way the crime was put together was so clever, and the way Poirot inevitably solved it was of course clever as well, though Poirot’s ego is out of control at this point. So many red-herrings, so many suspicious characters. Nothing like a good funeral full of whiny, xenophobic rich people to provide good mystery-fodder.
Hugh Fraser, as always, does a wonderful job with the audiobook narration.