Five Little Pigs - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie

Rating:  Loved It (5 Stars)
Source:   Purchased

Description:  It was an open and shut case. All the evidence said Caroline Crale poisoned her philandering husband, a brilliant painter. She was quickly and easily convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Now, sixteen years later, in a posthumous letter, Mrs. Crale has assured her grown daughter that she was innocent. But instead of setting the young woman's mind at ease, the letter only raises disquieting questions. Did Caroline indeed write the truth? And if she didn't kill her husband, who did?

To find out, the Crale’s daughter asks Hercule Poirot to reopen the case. His investigation takes him deep into the conflicting memories and motivations of the five other people who were with the Crales on the fatal day. With his keen understanding of human psychology, he manages to discover the surprising truth behind the artist's death.

This was also published as Murder in Retrospect

 

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  This was the January pick for the Read Christie Challenge 2025

My Impression:  This is one of my favorite mysteries by Christie and I think really highlights her unique approach to solving mysteries and really allows Poirot's use of his "little grey cells" to shine.  

Poirot is faced with what seems to be an impossible challenge - how do you investigate a murder that occurred 16 years before when there is no evidence remaining?  This is right in Poirot's wheelhouse and he quickly begins to interview the witnesses with a little help from a nursery rhyme.  

This isn't a fast paced or action packed read but it is a fascinating one.    It is interesting to see how the different characters remember the same afternoon and the same woman - and to see what they held back 16 years ago. The reveal is a good one and was quite a surprise but at the same time made perfect sense.  It's easy to see why it is one of my favorites and I think I get a little something different out of each reread.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?   Of course!  I'm looking forward to reading February's pick - The Thirteen Problems.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you are a fan of classic mysteries this is a must read!