Sad Cypress

Roddy Welman and Elinor Caelisle were cousins by marriage and the ideal couple. One day, they received an anonymous letter warning that their wealthy Aunt Laura had the idea of cutting them off of her vast fortune and allowing Mary Gerrard to inherit the fortune. The couple’s perfect world crashed and they went to visit Aunt Laura.

Upon meeting Mary, Roddy fell in love with her and broke off the engagement with Elinor. Aunt Laura passed away and did not leave a will. The fortune went entirely to Elinor.

Elinor was jealous of Mary and had thoughts of removing her permanently so that Roddy would return to her.

When Mary died from eating sandwiches prepared by Elinor, she was the prime suspect and went on trial. Did she murder Mary out of jealousy?

Meanwhile, Aunt Laura’s doctor, Dr. Peter Lord hired Hercule Poirot to clear Elinor’s name, only to discover that almost everything was against Elinor.

Can Hercule Poirot prove Elinor is innocent? Or is she really guilty?

Reading this book, I discovered I could see through some blind spots and it was sweet to see romances blossoming. It was wonderful as I felt I can think more like a detective.

A great book to enjoy.

Third Girl

At breakfast, a young lady requested to see Hercule Poirot concerning her being a murderer. However, she left when she discovered that Poirot was “too old”. She suddenly vanished in thin air.

What had really happened? And where was the girl?

Poirot had no clue about anything about her and the mystery unveiled with the help of his friend, Mrs. Ariadne Oliver.

The mysterious girl shared a London flat as a third girl with two girls: the first was her father’s secretary and the second was working in an art gallery.

There were rumours of revolvers, flick knives and blood stains. But without concrete evidence, Poirot would need all the tenacity to establish whether the third girl was guilty, innocent or insance.

This is one of the most incredible Poirot mystery after the Death on the Nile and Murder on the Orient Express.

Nearly a year after the death of Rosemary Barton, Iris Marle gave up her hope of forgetting about her sister and remembered the events relating to Rosemary after her death. On the other hand, Rosemary’s husband, George Barton, received letters about Rosemary was murdered. Exactly on the Rosemary’s 1st death anniversary, 6 persons sit in the same venue of her death, with only one destined to be dead.

Suspects
George Barton-He was Rosemary’s husband and knew about her flirtings and affairs. Did he feel bitter enough to kill her?

Iris Marle-With Rosemary’s death, she inherited a fortune and had been neglected by her family since young. Was she the murderer of Rosemary?

Ruth Lessing-She was George’s secretary who was treated by George as family. She loved him and hated Rosemary to the core. If Rosemary was dead, she could be George’s new second wife.

Anthony Browne-He was Rosemary’s admirer. He had been in jail under the name of Tony Morelli and only Rosemary knew it. Did he kill her to shut her month?

Stephen Farraday-He was Rosemary’s lover but refused her request to divorce his wife. He left her eventually. Did he silence her for his own benefit? Or did Rosemary kill herself out of love?

Alexandra Farraday-She was Stephen’s wife and knew about the affair a long time ago. She was devoted to him and would do anything for him. Did she murder Rosemary out of jealousy or to help her husband?

Read Sparkling Cyanide to see a puzzling mystery waiting to be solved.

The Body in the Library

Seven in the morning and upon waking up, the Bantrys discovered the body of a young woman in their library. She was wearing a tattered evening dress and heavy makeup which smeared across her face.

But who was she? How did she get there and what’s her connection to another dead girl, whose charred body was later discovered in an abandoned quarry?

Mrs. Dolly Bantry invited Ms Jane Marple to solve the mystery…before tongues start to wag. Ms Marple had initially no idea at all…

Suspects
Basil Blake-He was a rude and immoral youth who hated Colonel Bantry. Since he was the only one who liked to party in that village, could he be the one?

Josie Turner-She was the pleasant and shrewd cousin of the victim, Ruby Keene and showed anger against Ruby besides grief. Since she was the one who got Ruby to take over her dancing job temporarily, did Josie plot her death in advance?

Raymond Starr-He was the charming tennis coach and dance instructor. He had spent more time with Ruby than Josie. Had he any idea who hangs around with Ruby intimately, or he was the one on intimate terms with Ruby?

Mr. Conway Jefferson-The elderly man liked Ruby a lot and decided to adopt her. He even changed his will because of her. Did Ruby do something that angered him?

Mrs. Adelaide Jefferson-She was the plain-looking daughter-in-law of Mr. Jefferson who had Peter Carmody, a 9-year-old child of her 1st husband (she married Mr. Jeferson’s son in her 2nd marriage). She was not very well-off and had a lover. She was not very pleased with Ruby, was it serious enough to kill?

Hugo McLean-He was Mrs. Jefferson’s lover and like the latter, he was poor. Did he want Ruby out of the way?

Mark Gaskell-He is Mr. Jefferson’s son-in-law. He had some financial difficulties and did not like Ruby having a piece of cake in the will.

George Barlett-He was the last person to be seen with Ruby. He claimed his car was stolen, which was later found to be burnt in an abandoned quarry. Was he faking it?

Interesting Point
Sir Henry Clithering, i.e. the retired head of Scotland Yard, made a guest appearance as he accepted the task to find the murderer by Mr. Jefferson. Ms Marple and Sir Henry were requested by the police for help in the later part of the story.

Comments: This mystery is interesting as the suspects either had an alibi or motive but not both. We know who will be the next victim, but the murderer was unveiled only at the end with a shock.