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Five Little Pigs

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About this listen

Beautiful Caroline Crale was convicted of poisoning her husband, yet there were five other suspects: Philip Blake (the stockbroker) who went to market; Meredith Blake (the amateur herbalist) who stayed at home; Elsa Greer (the three-time divorcee) who had roast beef; Cecilia Williams (the devoted governess) who had none; and Angela Warren (the disfigured sister) who cried ‘wee wee wee’ all the way home.

It is sixteen years later, but Hercule Poirot just can’t get that nursery rhyme out of his mind…

©2007 Agatha Christie (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Crime Fiction Suspense Thriller & Suspense Crime Fiction
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★★★★✰ 4.5 stars

“Juliet singles out Romeo. Desdemona claims Othello. They have no doubts, the young, no fear, no pride.”

I thoroughly enjoyed Five Little Pigs. Departing from her usual formula Christie shows just how good a writer she is. This mystery is a cold case which did not slow down the narrative, quite the contrary as it turns out. After Poirot is approached by Carla Crale he undertakes what might seem like a futile endeavour. The murderer of the father of his newest client has already been convicted. Yet, in a letter addressed to her daughter Caroline Crale claims that she did not kill her husband, Amyas.
With his curiosity piqued, Poirot approaches the five people who had been with the Crales on that tragic day.
I loved the small differences the characters gave in their recollections of the events leading to Amyas' death. They paid attention to different things, ascribed certain meaning to certain words, gave more weight to one thing than another. Each version has its unique take on the Crales and what really happened.
I loved that it was...sad. There is Christie's usual humour but here it is more subdued. This is a bittersweet mystery that takes readers down five wistful paths.
The audiobook version is superb (I look forward to reading it too).

Poirot's cold case

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Well read and an excellent story. One of Agatha Christie’s best novels. Great plot and an interesting way of unraveling the crime.

Worth listening to.

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Great story, great narration and a genius last minute twist. Only spoilt by audible cutting in to soon to hope I enjoyed the book - please - let the last syllable finish first!

Hugh Frazer - brilliant narration

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An absorbing murder mystery by the Queen of Crime featuring the insightful Poirot. A very good listen indeed.

classic Christie

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From the performance, to the wonderful story written by Agatha Christie, this is a great book. The only reason I didn't give it full marks was because of the editing, there are some strange pauses in the recording. It's doesn't ruin the story, it doesn't ruin the narration but it's just awkward.

No matter the age it's still a perfect story

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