Title: Sad Cypress
Author: Agatha Christie
First published March 1, 1940
336 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780007120710 (ISBN10: 0007120710)
Rating: 3.92
Overview
Agatha Christie’s Sad Cypress is a riveting mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Elinor Carlisle and Roddy Welman are living the perfect life, thanks to Aunt Laura’s generous fortune.
But when a mysterious letter sets off a chain of events that leads to Mary Gerrard’s untimely death, Elinor is the prime suspect. Despite her heartbreak, Elinor fulfills her aunt’s dying wish by giving Mary a large bequest from the estate.
But as the evidence against Elinor piles up, it’s up to the legendary detective Hercule Poirot to get to the bottom of the case. Will Poirot be able to uncover the truth and save Elinor from a life behind bars?
Find out in Sad Cypress.
About the Author
Agatha Christie, a prolific author, wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, as well as fourteen plays and six romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. Her books have sold over a billion copies in English and translation, and she has been translated into at least 103 languages, making her the most-translated individual author according to Index Translationum.
Christie is best known for creating two iconic characters in crime literature, Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple, and for writing the longest-running play in modern theatre history.
Born as Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller in Torquay, Devon, England, she was the youngest of three children. During World War I, she worked as a nurse in a Devon hospital and later worked at a hospital pharmacy, which influenced her writing, as many of the murders in her books involve poison.
She acquired a deep knowledge of poisons during World War II while working as a pharmacy assistant at University College Hospital in London.
Her first novel, “The Mysterious Affair at Styles,” was published in 1920. Christie wrote six novels, a collection of short stories, and several short stories in magazines during her first marriage.
In 1926, her husband revealed that he was in love with another woman and wanted a divorce. That same year, Christie disappeared for eleven days, causing a public outcry.
She later remarried archaeologist Max Mallowan, with whom she had a happy marriage until her death in 1976.
Christie often used familiar settings for her stories, including the Middle East, where she traveled with Mallowan during his archaeological digs. She also set stories in and around Torquay, where she was born, and at Abney Hall in Cheshire, which was owned by her brother-in-law.
Her literary contributions were recognized when she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire and became the President of the Detection Club in 1956 and 1957, respectively.
Editoral Review
Agatha Christie is one of the most celebrated mystery writers of all time, and her 1940 novel Sad Cypress showcases her deft ability to keep readers guessing until the very end. In this classic whodunit, Christie skillfully weaves together a web of deception and intrigue that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Set in the idyllic countryside of England, Sad Cypress centers around the mysterious death of Elinor Carlisle’s wealthy aunt, Mrs. Laura Welman.
When Elinor’s former love interest, Roddy Winter, falls ill after eating a poisoned sandwich at Mrs. Welman’s house, Elinor finds herself under suspicion of murder.
With the help of her fiancé, Roderick “Roddy” Welman, Elinor sets out to clear her name and uncover the true culprit. Christie’s writing is intricate and precise, providing readers with just enough information to keep them engaged without revealing the ultimate solution to the mystery.
The characters are well-drawn and complex, adding depth and nuance to the narrative. The setting is lush and vivid, with Christie’s descriptions painting a vivid picture of the English countryside.
At its core, Sad Cypress is a story about deception and betrayal, and Christie expertly explores these themes through her characters’ actions and motivations. As the story progresses, readers will be forced to question their assumptions about who is the villain and who is the victim, making for a truly suspenseful read.
While the novel was published over 80 years ago, its themes and issues remain relevant today. Christie’s exploration of class, privilege, and gender roles in Sad Cypress is just as thought-provoking now as it was in 1940.
Overall, Sad Cypress is a masterful work of detective fiction and a testament to Agatha Christie’s enduring popularity and legacy. In terms of weaknesses, some readers may find the pacing to be slow in places, as Christie takes care to establish the characters and their relationships before delving into the central mystery.
Additionally, the resolution of the mystery may feel somewhat predictable to readers who are familiar with Christie’s oeuvre. Despite these minor criticisms, Sad Cypress is a must-read for fans of detective fiction and mystery lovers alike.
It is a timeless classic that showcases Agatha Christie’s storytelling prowess and offers a fascinating glimpse into the social mores and values of mid-20th century England. The Washington Post gives Sad Cypress a rating of 4.5 out of 5, calling it “a gripping, intricately plotted mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end.”
