Status
Available
Call number
Library's review
England, ca 1952
Richard Abernethie er død 68 år gammel og da han ingen børn efterlader sig - hans søn Mortimer er død af polio i sin ungdoms blomst - bliver boet delt i seks dele.
De fire dele går til broderen Timothy Abernethie, nevøen George Crossfield, niecen Susan Banks og niecen Rosamund
Efter begravelsen siger Cora eftertænksomt (og ubetænksomt): "Men han blev da myrdet, ikke sandt?".
Dagen efter bliver hun selv brutalt myrdet med en økse og sagføreren Mr Entwhistle tilkalder Hercule Poirot.
Fra en side af mangler arvingerne penge og har derfor motiv til mord alle til hobe.
Susan Banks har som den eneste arvet onklens tæft og intelligens. Efter ligsynet på Cora, besøger hun Miss Gilchrist, som passede hus for Cora og også boede i huset. Mens Susan er der, bliver Miss Gilchrist forgivet med arsenik. Men hun overlever og får sig manøvreret ind i huset hos Timothy og Maude, og senere med til Richards hus. Poirot får samlet dem alle under påskud af at indboet skal fordeles, da huset er solgt til en flygtningehjælpsorganisation.
Han kommer frem til at Richard Abernethie ikke blev myrdet og faktisk hang hele ideen om at han blev myrdet alene på Coras udtalelse. Så tilbage er at Cora døde og at Miss Gilchrist ikke døde. Helen Abernethie er kommet på lignende tanker, men hun bliver slået ned, mens hun pr telefon snakker med Entwhistle.
Miss Gilchrist havde hørt på Coras erindringer i en uendelighed og havde gået så meget op ad hende at hun ret overbevisende kunne udgive sig for hende, så faktisk var det Miss Gilchrist, der med fuldt overlæg sagde "Men han blev da myrdet, ikke sandt?". Dagen efter slog Miss Gilchrist Cora ihjel på en vældig brutal måde og motivet var at et af de dårlige malerier Cora købte i hobetal, faktisk var en Vermeer og salget af den ville kunne indbringe nok til at Miss Gilchrist kunne åbne en tesalon i stil med den, hun havde inden krigen. Inspector Morton kan arrestere Gilchrist og hun bliver da også dømt.
Det er vist den eneste krimi, hvor te spiller en rolle som motiv.
Klassisk Poirot-krimi.
Richard Abernethie er død 68 år gammel og da han ingen børn efterlader sig - hans søn Mortimer er død af polio i sin ungdoms blomst - bliver boet delt i seks dele.
De fire dele går til broderen Timothy Abernethie, nevøen George Crossfield, niecen Susan Banks og niecen Rosamund
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Shane. Og de to sidste til søsteren Cora Lansquenet og enken efter hans bror Leo, Helen Abernethie. De to sidste dele er båndlagt, så kun udbyttet bliver udbetalt og når Cora og Helen dør går deres arvepart videre til de fire første. Huset, som hedder Enderby Hall, skal sælges, for ingen af arvingerne ønsker at overtage det.Efter begravelsen siger Cora eftertænksomt (og ubetænksomt): "Men han blev da myrdet, ikke sandt?".
Dagen efter bliver hun selv brutalt myrdet med en økse og sagføreren Mr Entwhistle tilkalder Hercule Poirot.
Fra en side af mangler arvingerne penge og har derfor motiv til mord alle til hobe.
Susan Banks har som den eneste arvet onklens tæft og intelligens. Efter ligsynet på Cora, besøger hun Miss Gilchrist, som passede hus for Cora og også boede i huset. Mens Susan er der, bliver Miss Gilchrist forgivet med arsenik. Men hun overlever og får sig manøvreret ind i huset hos Timothy og Maude, og senere med til Richards hus. Poirot får samlet dem alle under påskud af at indboet skal fordeles, da huset er solgt til en flygtningehjælpsorganisation.
Han kommer frem til at Richard Abernethie ikke blev myrdet og faktisk hang hele ideen om at han blev myrdet alene på Coras udtalelse. Så tilbage er at Cora døde og at Miss Gilchrist ikke døde. Helen Abernethie er kommet på lignende tanker, men hun bliver slået ned, mens hun pr telefon snakker med Entwhistle.
Miss Gilchrist havde hørt på Coras erindringer i en uendelighed og havde gået så meget op ad hende at hun ret overbevisende kunne udgive sig for hende, så faktisk var det Miss Gilchrist, der med fuldt overlæg sagde "Men han blev da myrdet, ikke sandt?". Dagen efter slog Miss Gilchrist Cora ihjel på en vældig brutal måde og motivet var at et af de dårlige malerier Cora købte i hobetal, faktisk var en Vermeer og salget af den ville kunne indbringe nok til at Miss Gilchrist kunne åbne en tesalon i stil med den, hun havde inden krigen. Inspector Morton kan arrestere Gilchrist og hun bliver da også dømt.
Det er vist den eneste krimi, hvor te spiller en rolle som motiv.
Klassisk Poirot-krimi.
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Genres
Publication
[London] : Fontana, 1956, c1953
Description
Fiction. Mystery. HTML: Hercule Poirot is called on to investigate the murder of a brother and sister, in this classic Agatha Christie mystery now available in an updated edition with a foreword Sophie Hannah. "He was murdered, wasn't he?" When Cora Lansquenet is savagely murdered, the extraordinary remark she had made the previous day at her brother Richard's funeral suddenly takes on a chilling significance. At the reading of Richard's will, Cora was clearly heard to say, "It's been hushed up very nicely, hasn't it. But he was murdered, wasn't he?" Did Cora's accusation a dark truth that sealed her own fate? Or are the siblings' deaths just tragic coincidences? Desperate to know the truth, the Lansquenet's solicitor turns to Hercule Poirot to unravel the mystery. For even after the funeral, death isn't finished yet . . ..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member rach2340
After the funeral of the wealthy Richard Abernethie, his remaining family assembles for the reading of the will at Enderby Hall. The death, though sudden, was not unexpected and natural causes have been given on his death certificate. Nevertheless, the tactless Cora says, "It's been hushed up very
(wikipedia.org)
Another great mystery solved by fantastic Poirot! I really do enjoy him as a detective. He's so funny and really knows what he is doing. This story revolves around the death of Richard Abernethie. The day after his funeral his sister Cora was mysteriously murdered with a hatchet. Poirot is trying to figure out "who done it".
As usual, Poirot is delightful! The crime it's self isn't as spectacular as some of the others, but it's still wonderfully written! The suspects each could have had different motives and reasons. The whole time I thought I knew who had committed the murder and then.....BAM! Agatha Christie hits you with a twist! I throughly loved the ending. I had know idea what was coming!
All in all I give 3.5/5! This means that it really good but not as good as some of the others I've read. But don't get me wrong it was still a good short novel to read in spare time! I can't wait to read other novels by Agatha Christie!
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nicely ... but he was murdered, wasn't he?" The family lawyer, Mr. Entwhistle, begins to investigate. Before long there is no question that a murderer is at large.(wikipedia.org)
Another great mystery solved by fantastic Poirot! I really do enjoy him as a detective. He's so funny and really knows what he is doing. This story revolves around the death of Richard Abernethie. The day after his funeral his sister Cora was mysteriously murdered with a hatchet. Poirot is trying to figure out "who done it".
As usual, Poirot is delightful! The crime it's self isn't as spectacular as some of the others, but it's still wonderfully written! The suspects each could have had different motives and reasons. The whole time I thought I knew who had committed the murder and then.....BAM! Agatha Christie hits you with a twist! I throughly loved the ending. I had know idea what was coming!
All in all I give 3.5/5! This means that it really good but not as good as some of the others I've read. But don't get me wrong it was still a good short novel to read in spare time! I can't wait to read other novels by Agatha Christie!
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LibraryThing member kaitanya64
Another great Christie mystery that kept me guessing until the end.
LibraryThing member xicanti
Hercule Poirot investigates two family-based murders.
I got a big kick out of this. It did take a little while to get going, but as the story progressed I found myself eager to see how it would all turn out. The plot is semi-recycled from a couple of Dame Agatha's other books, but she's changed
Good stuff. I definitely recommend it to fans of Christie's work.
I got a big kick out of this. It did take a little while to get going, but as the story progressed I found myself eager to see how it would all turn out. The plot is semi-recycled from a couple of Dame Agatha's other books, but she's changed
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enough elements that it still works well even for the hardcore Christie reader. The clues are nicely dispersed, the pacing is good and, most importantly, all the characters are viable suspects. Even though I guessed the culprit early on, I wasn't sure until the very end.Good stuff. I definitely recommend it to fans of Christie's work.
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LibraryThing member nohablo
Stellar build-up - creeping and sinister; cheerfully and anarchically callous about offing its cast! - with a lame SAD TROMBONE of a twist and follow-up. However, it's delicious for the first 4/5, with schools of red herrings and classic Christie antici-pation.
LibraryThing member smik
"Nobody had felt any deep grief for Richard Abernethie's death since none of them had had any close ties with him".
But when his sister Cora makes the suggestion that Richard was actually murdered, and is then viciously murdered herself on the day after his funeral, the long-time family solicitor Mr
At the beginning of the novel the reader is provided with a copy of the Abernethie family tree, indicating who was at Richard's funeral. Once Hercules Poirot is engaged by Mr Entwhistle to investigate any possible connections between Cora Lansquenet's murder and her claim that her brother was murdered, then we are taken fairly systematically through how members of the family will benefit from either death. In the long run it is a very tidy plot.
It is not the first time I have read this novel, but I found that I had only a vague idea of the final resolution. Red herrings abound and as usual and Poirot does not share all his suspicions. The novel ends with his usual collective revealing of the culprit.
As I have been doing with most of the Christie novel I have read so far, I was also looking for the author's commentary on British social life. The novel is set after World War II and and Enderby, the Abernethie family home, once the scene of a privileged life, will have to be sold so that the proceeds of the estate can be divided up amongst Richard Abernethie's heirs. Yet another sign that the old social order is collapsing.
But when his sister Cora makes the suggestion that Richard was actually murdered, and is then viciously murdered herself on the day after his funeral, the long-time family solicitor Mr
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Entwhistle is upset at the possibility.At the beginning of the novel the reader is provided with a copy of the Abernethie family tree, indicating who was at Richard's funeral. Once Hercules Poirot is engaged by Mr Entwhistle to investigate any possible connections between Cora Lansquenet's murder and her claim that her brother was murdered, then we are taken fairly systematically through how members of the family will benefit from either death. In the long run it is a very tidy plot.
It is not the first time I have read this novel, but I found that I had only a vague idea of the final resolution. Red herrings abound and as usual and Poirot does not share all his suspicions. The novel ends with his usual collective revealing of the culprit.
As I have been doing with most of the Christie novel I have read so far, I was also looking for the author's commentary on British social life. The novel is set after World War II and and Enderby, the Abernethie family home, once the scene of a privileged life, will have to be sold so that the proceeds of the estate can be divided up amongst Richard Abernethie's heirs. Yet another sign that the old social order is collapsing.
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LibraryThing member RubyScarlett
As efficient as usual, quite an unusual motive but for once I could almost sympathize with the murderer.
LibraryThing member fist
In between the heavier non-fiction work, I like to cleanse my palate by re-reading an old Agatha Christie novel. Like the French do with the trou normand halfway through dinner. Only in this case, it felt like I was chewing on a mothball. It's a classic Agatha Christie story, but the usual humour
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seems to be lacking. Maybe because it is set in the austerity years right after WWII, and the author repeatedly reminds us of Britain's decay: food is rationed, the upper class is impoverished, servants start having a will of their own, and the welfare state is being built by - gasp - taxing the wealthy. For once, the author is the grimmest character in the novel. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookchickdi
After the Funeral begins with Mr. Entwhistle, a lawyer attending a funeral for one of his oldest clients and friends, Richard Abernethie. Mr. Abernethie ran a successful family business and with the death of only son occurring years earlier, the heirs to the family money include Richard's
At the home after the funeral, Cora carelessly tosses off a comment about Richard being murdered. Most of the family chalked it up to Cora just stirring up the pot, as she is wont to do. But the next day, Cora is brutally murdered in her home, and now Mr. Entwhistle is concerned that perhaps Richard was murdered.
He goes to Hercule Poirot to investigate and find out if Richard was murdered and who killed Cora. I found it amusing when Poirot turns to Mr. Goby, a man "famous for the acquiring of information." Goby calls government snooping "God's gift to investigators." Given what we know about the NSA, one could infer that government's spying on their citizens is a time- honored practice.
The family members all have money issues: Timothy hasn't worked due to his "illnesses", and his house and car are falling apart. Susan wishes to buy a pharmacy for her husband. Rosamund wants to use the money to support her and her husband's dreams of staging a play. George apparently has a gambling problem and has been using clients' funds to cover his losses.
They all have motives for wanting the money, and Poirot discovers that many of them had opportunity as well. It's great fun following the clues and trying to put the puzzle pieces together to discover the murderer. (I confess that I was wrong.)
It's interesting that Poirot does not dominate the story. He comes into the story late and stays in the background for the most part. In today's mystery/thriller series books, the protagonist (a cop, investigator, medical examiner) tends to dominate the stories of the books, with the crime relegated to equal or lesser plotlines.
I also found it interesting the lengths that people will go to when money is involved. Like government spying, greed appears to be something that has been with humans for a long time, and probably will be for a long time to come.
Now that I have read three Agatha Christie novels, two of them featuring M. Poirot, I'm curious to read Sophie Hannah's take on the iconic character in The Monogram Murders.
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hypochondriac brother Timothy, his sister Cora, whom no one has seen in twenty years after she married a man considered 'unsuitable', nieces Susan, a businesswoman, Rosamund, an actress, and nephew George, in finance.At the home after the funeral, Cora carelessly tosses off a comment about Richard being murdered. Most of the family chalked it up to Cora just stirring up the pot, as she is wont to do. But the next day, Cora is brutally murdered in her home, and now Mr. Entwhistle is concerned that perhaps Richard was murdered.
He goes to Hercule Poirot to investigate and find out if Richard was murdered and who killed Cora. I found it amusing when Poirot turns to Mr. Goby, a man "famous for the acquiring of information." Goby calls government snooping "God's gift to investigators." Given what we know about the NSA, one could infer that government's spying on their citizens is a time- honored practice.
The family members all have money issues: Timothy hasn't worked due to his "illnesses", and his house and car are falling apart. Susan wishes to buy a pharmacy for her husband. Rosamund wants to use the money to support her and her husband's dreams of staging a play. George apparently has a gambling problem and has been using clients' funds to cover his losses.
They all have motives for wanting the money, and Poirot discovers that many of them had opportunity as well. It's great fun following the clues and trying to put the puzzle pieces together to discover the murderer. (I confess that I was wrong.)
It's interesting that Poirot does not dominate the story. He comes into the story late and stays in the background for the most part. In today's mystery/thriller series books, the protagonist (a cop, investigator, medical examiner) tends to dominate the stories of the books, with the crime relegated to equal or lesser plotlines.
I also found it interesting the lengths that people will go to when money is involved. Like government spying, greed appears to be something that has been with humans for a long time, and probably will be for a long time to come.
Now that I have read three Agatha Christie novels, two of them featuring M. Poirot, I'm curious to read Sophie Hannah's take on the iconic character in The Monogram Murders.
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LibraryThing member yoyogod
Considering how many books I read, it's surprising that I'd never read an Agatha Christie novel until I read After the Funeral, and the only reason I read that is because the publisher sent me a review copy. Now, you might wonder why a publisher would send out review copies of a book that was
This book certainly had one of the most peculiar motives I've read. In fact this is one of the few mysteries I've read where I didn't have any idea who the killer was until the end of the book. Despite being a Poirot mystery, Poirot isn't in the book very much. The book spends most of it time with the family of the victim(s). They are a strange lot.
I really enjoyed the book and will have to add Agatha Christie to the ever growing list of authors whose books I really have to read.
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originally published more than 50 years ago. Apparently, the Christie estate has authorized Sophie Hannah to write a new Poirot novel called The Monogram Murders, and the publisher had her choose her favorite Poirot novel and write an introduction for a new edition, She chose After the Funeral for its "nontransferable motive."This book certainly had one of the most peculiar motives I've read. In fact this is one of the few mysteries I've read where I didn't have any idea who the killer was until the end of the book. Despite being a Poirot mystery, Poirot isn't in the book very much. The book spends most of it time with the family of the victim(s). They are a strange lot.
I really enjoyed the book and will have to add Agatha Christie to the ever growing list of authors whose books I really have to read.
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LibraryThing member antiquary
murder in a rather decayed old British family.
LibraryThing member missizicks
This was a good, solid Poirot mystery, made more interesting because it was written at a mansion local to where I live and included a reference to a food supplement that we hold the archive for at the museum I work at. There were plenty of blind alleys and potential suspects. As usual, I pegged the
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wrong person, but I picked up on the significant clues. It was a little disappointing that Poirot didn't make an appearance until a quarter of the way through the book and seemed more subdued than usual. I love Poirot as a character. I suppose Christie was writing him as a man whose fame was on the wane and who was technically in retirement. I missed the foil of Captain Hastings, as well. All in all though an entertaining read. Show Less
LibraryThing member passion4reading
When the family of the late Richard Abernethie gathers in the library of Enderby to hear the reading of the will, the deceased's sister, Cora Lansquenet, voices her suspicion that her brother was murdered. The following day, she herself is found dead in her cottage, brutally killed with a hatchet.
It's been a long time since I've read an Agatha Christie novel and I'd forgotten how much fun they can be. The enjoyment mainly derives from trying to work out the puzzle before Poirot (or Miss Marple) announces the solution to the assembled suspects, and sifting the liberally strewn red herrings from the real clues. Poirot doesn't feature prominently in this mystery, and is mainly there to set a few wheels in motion and to pull the threads together at the end. As Sophie Hannah rightly observes in the Introduction, Agatha Christie wasn't concerned with plausibility, but intent on creating an entertaining, and cleverly crafted, murder mystery; in this she has entirely succeeded, with a very neat twist. Of course the upper middle-class structure of society, so often depicted in her writings, appears terribly dated these days, but the insights into human psychology are universal. Not world literature, but excellent value as a brain teaser.
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The solicitor and old friend of Mr Abernethie's, Mr Entwhistle, then contacts Hercule Poirot, mainly to assuage his doubts in view of recent events that Cora's death was just a coincidence and that Richard had died a natural death. Intrigued by the case, Poirot begins his investigations ...It's been a long time since I've read an Agatha Christie novel and I'd forgotten how much fun they can be. The enjoyment mainly derives from trying to work out the puzzle before Poirot (or Miss Marple) announces the solution to the assembled suspects, and sifting the liberally strewn red herrings from the real clues. Poirot doesn't feature prominently in this mystery, and is mainly there to set a few wheels in motion and to pull the threads together at the end. As Sophie Hannah rightly observes in the Introduction, Agatha Christie wasn't concerned with plausibility, but intent on creating an entertaining, and cleverly crafted, murder mystery; in this she has entirely succeeded, with a very neat twist. Of course the upper middle-class structure of society, so often depicted in her writings, appears terribly dated these days, but the insights into human psychology are universal. Not world literature, but excellent value as a brain teaser.
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LibraryThing member thornton37814
When Richard Abernathie's will is read, his sister Cora voices her suspicion that he was murdered. No test can be made to find if he was poisoned since he was cremated. When Cora herself is murdered with a hatchet, Mr. Entwhistle, the solicitor, asks Poirot to look into the matter of Richard's
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death since the police are investigating Cora's. I found this one fairly predictable. I didn't really care that much for the family involved, but it was a pleasant enough puzzle although not an entirely captivating read. Show Less
LibraryThing member riverwillow
Fairly standard Poirot - with an interesting plot, especially the motive for the murder, people have killed for less.
LibraryThing member johnclaydon
The usual Christie fun and games, right up to the weak ending.
LibraryThing member AlexTheHunn
A good, standard Hercule Poirot mystery. These never fail to delight me as I struggle in vain to deduce the identity of the murderer, only to discover some devious twist that I would never have though of given all the time in the world. Curiously enough, it doesn't irritate me; it is always fun.
LibraryThing member ritaer
Well constructed mystery, good, unexpected ending. Plays fir. Poirot his usual confident self. Well drawn characters.
LibraryThing member SueinCyprus
This is a very well plotted book, set in the middle of the 20th century. It features an upper-middle class family who gather together after the demise of the family head, Richard Abernethie. Agatha Christie isn't noted for characterisation, but she creates some believable and distinct family
There's a fair amount of detailed descriptions, conversations and internal monologues, skipping about from person to person... but of course the clues to the puzzle are in these; I fell for several red herrings, and was convinced, at different times, that each main character must be guilty... other than the one who is eventually denounced.
Hercule Poirot is involved half-way through the book; he's always a delight, and I liked this book very much. Recommended to anyone who enjoys this kind of light crime fiction of sixty plus years ago.
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members, any of whom could have committed the crimes which are investigated through the course of the book.There's a fair amount of detailed descriptions, conversations and internal monologues, skipping about from person to person... but of course the clues to the puzzle are in these; I fell for several red herrings, and was convinced, at different times, that each main character must be guilty... other than the one who is eventually denounced.
Hercule Poirot is involved half-way through the book; he's always a delight, and I liked this book very much. Recommended to anyone who enjoys this kind of light crime fiction of sixty plus years ago.
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LibraryThing member BookConcierge
Audiobook read by Hugh Fraser
Originally published as Funerals Are Fatal
From the book jacket: When Cora Lansquenet is savagely murdered with a hatchet, the extraordinary remark she made the previous day at her brother Richard’s funeral suddenly takes on a chilling significance. At the reading of
My reactions
Oh, I love Hercule Poirot and his little grey cells. Always entertaining and always keeping me guessing. Here we have quite a number of characters, all of whom seem to have some motive for killing Cora Lansquenet and/or Richard Abernathie. I’m glad I had a text copy along, because it has a family tree printed in it, which is a great help in keeping these various Abernathie relations straight. What a family! Hardly a likeable person in the bunch. I’d have been happy to have any one of them be the murderer. But that’s the joy of a Christie mystery.
The killer and Dame Christie cleverly give us many red herrings, false clues, misleading statements, and seemingly meaningless occurrences to confuse, baffle and thwart any attempts at solving the mystery. But, of course, Hercule Poirot will unveil the person responsible. I was almost as surprised as the culprit when the reveal came.
Hugh Fraser does a commendable job of voicing the audio. There are so many characters that it is hard to keep them straight at time, especially when there is a meeting of two or more women, but Fraser manages quite well. And I do love his interpretation of Hercule Poirot!
Originally published as Funerals Are Fatal
From the book jacket: When Cora Lansquenet is savagely murdered with a hatchet, the extraordinary remark she made the previous day at her brother Richard’s funeral suddenly takes on a chilling significance. At the reading of
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Richard’s will, Cora was clearly heard to say, “It’s been hushed up very nicely, hasn’t it… But he was murdered, wasn’t he?” In desperation the family solicitor turns to Hercule Poirot to unravel the mystery.My reactions
Oh, I love Hercule Poirot and his little grey cells. Always entertaining and always keeping me guessing. Here we have quite a number of characters, all of whom seem to have some motive for killing Cora Lansquenet and/or Richard Abernathie. I’m glad I had a text copy along, because it has a family tree printed in it, which is a great help in keeping these various Abernathie relations straight. What a family! Hardly a likeable person in the bunch. I’d have been happy to have any one of them be the murderer. But that’s the joy of a Christie mystery.
The killer and Dame Christie cleverly give us many red herrings, false clues, misleading statements, and seemingly meaningless occurrences to confuse, baffle and thwart any attempts at solving the mystery. But, of course, Hercule Poirot will unveil the person responsible. I was almost as surprised as the culprit when the reveal came.
Hugh Fraser does a commendable job of voicing the audio. There are so many characters that it is hard to keep them straight at time, especially when there is a meeting of two or more women, but Fraser manages quite well. And I do love his interpretation of Hercule Poirot!
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LibraryThing member Sarielle
Something in this book didn't work for me. I didn't like it as much as I should.
Maybe it is because this year I have read several books of Agatha Christie and this story contains some elements typical for this author. That's why this story seemed very similar to her other novels. To the point it
Also because this story just didn't pull me in. I wasn't interested in it. It's so slow and devoid of twists. The mystery of death, or rather two deaths, is somehow so completely uninspiring. And a group of the characters similar to other characters from the novels of Christie. There is simply nothing distinguishing about this novel. There is not one element that would make it stand out from the others.
I am also disappointed with the ending. Apparently it should be a surprise but even though I did not suspect this person any more than the others, after all this solution at the end is very Christie style. If you read some of her books, it's no surprise. In my opinion, this ending is also somehow too simple. I was expecting something more spectacular, more unique, something more like The Murder in Orient Express.
This is not a bad book by Agatha Christie. It's just not a unique story.
Maybe it is because this year I have read several books of Agatha Christie and this story contains some elements typical for this author. That's why this story seemed very similar to her other novels. To the point it
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blended out with some of Christie's other works. There was nothing new, fresh and unique about it. I doubt if in a month I'll be able to remember any details about this book.Also because this story just didn't pull me in. I wasn't interested in it. It's so slow and devoid of twists. The mystery of death, or rather two deaths, is somehow so completely uninspiring. And a group of the characters similar to other characters from the novels of Christie. There is simply nothing distinguishing about this novel. There is not one element that would make it stand out from the others.
I am also disappointed with the ending. Apparently it should be a surprise but even though I did not suspect this person any more than the others, after all this solution at the end is very Christie style. If you read some of her books, it's no surprise. In my opinion, this ending is also somehow too simple. I was expecting something more spectacular, more unique, something more like The Murder in Orient Express.
This is not a bad book by Agatha Christie. It's just not a unique story.
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LibraryThing member walterhistory
Christie's powers of mesmerizing murder mysteries continues in this work when at the funeral of a rich estate owner, someone makes a strange remark & another looks at a mirror & realizes something is wrong. Poirot is called out of retirement to untangle a crime of smoke & mirrors which turns on a
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deception. Is there 2 murders or just one murder? It's all about Art appreciation & one mistake cracks the case. Show Less
LibraryThing member pgchuis
The characterization of the various members of the Abernethie family was very well done, and Mr Entwhistle the solicitor was a good conduit for evidence gathering until Poirot became involved. The solution was just about believable.
LibraryThing member TomDonaghey
Funerals Are Fatal (1953) (Hercule Poirot #31) by Agatha Christie. Richard Abernethie was old and rich and had a brother, sister-in-law and cousin who were all needing of money. This also applies to their adult children and their spouses. So they were not too unhappy when the old man died “very
So the old man is dead and there is a funeral, cremation, and everyone goes home to the vast manor house for the reading of the will. Everyone knows the the entire lot will go to George, Richard’s nephew by way of his late brother Leo, but instead the moola and property is to be divided up between everyone but George. He has been written out altogether.
But Cora, in her usual tipsy manner, says how lucky they all were that no mention of murder has echoed within the hallowed walls.
Then Cora is butchered in a most horrible fashion. Soon after her “companion’ is slightly poisoned. Mr. Entwhistle, now suspecting something, asks Poirot to look into things.
This he does and in usual, but brilliant, Christie fashion, he unravels a plot more puzzling than the lawn maze that must grace the estate grounds somewhere.
And the answer has a stunning revelation or three that you won’t see coming.
This is one of the top five or six Poirot novels and somehow I’ve missed it up till now. It seems something good has come out of this pandemic, although, given my druthers, I would gladly have skipped this in favor of what we had.
Remember, “Stay Healthy, Stay Sane, and Stay Away From Me.” I thank you, my wife thanks you, my kids thank you, the grand babies thank you and our new German Shepard grand baby dog thanks you.
By the way, my American copy offers this title in lieu of the Brit one.
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suddenly.” A quick look into the Oxford Standard Book of the ole’ tech sprech says this is a euphemism for murdered in 98% of all usages. The other two percent are given out as “Red” herrings or some such thing.So the old man is dead and there is a funeral, cremation, and everyone goes home to the vast manor house for the reading of the will. Everyone knows the the entire lot will go to George, Richard’s nephew by way of his late brother Leo, but instead the moola and property is to be divided up between everyone but George. He has been written out altogether.
But Cora, in her usual tipsy manner, says how lucky they all were that no mention of murder has echoed within the hallowed walls.
Then Cora is butchered in a most horrible fashion. Soon after her “companion’ is slightly poisoned. Mr. Entwhistle, now suspecting something, asks Poirot to look into things.
This he does and in usual, but brilliant, Christie fashion, he unravels a plot more puzzling than the lawn maze that must grace the estate grounds somewhere.
And the answer has a stunning revelation or three that you won’t see coming.
This is one of the top five or six Poirot novels and somehow I’ve missed it up till now. It seems something good has come out of this pandemic, although, given my druthers, I would gladly have skipped this in favor of what we had.
Remember, “Stay Healthy, Stay Sane, and Stay Away From Me.” I thank you, my wife thanks you, my kids thank you, the grand babies thank you and our new German Shepard grand baby dog thanks you.
By the way, my American copy offers this title in lieu of the Brit one.
Show Less
LibraryThing member cbl_tn
During the gathering after Richard Abernethie's funeral, the family is shocked when his sister Cora blurts out "He was murdered, wasn't he?" Richard's death was sudden, but not completely unexpected since he was terminally ill. But there is no doubt that murder was the cause of Cora's death the
I am always partial to mysteries like this one that begin with a family tree. The younger characters and their dialogue maybe aren't as sharply drawn as Christie ages, but she is still at the top of her form when it comes to hiding clues in plain sight.
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next day. Family attorney Mr. Entwistle, disturbed by the close proximity in these events, enlists the aid of his old friend Hercule Poirot.I am always partial to mysteries like this one that begin with a family tree. The younger characters and their dialogue maybe aren't as sharply drawn as Christie ages, but she is still at the top of her form when it comes to hiding clues in plain sight.
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LibraryThing member Figgles
Another post-war Poirot, where the changing times are a backdrop to murder. The younger generation gather for the funeral of Richard Abernathie, businessman and heir to a family fortune founded on Victorian era corn plasters. The big house is now run by three servants, the family are more
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interested in the money than family feeling. Richard's younger sister Cora who is known for speaking inconvenient truths throws out a suggestion of murder and the next day is brutally murdered herself. Aged family solicitor Entwhistle brings in Poirot to discretely find out the truth - which of the heirs may've bumped off uncle Richard? or is the solution elsewhere? And, as the excellent "All about Agatha" podcast reminds us "never discount the "help"". A good Poirot, and the repeated phrase "the rough" has entered our family lexicon! Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1953-03-01
Physical description
251 p.; 17.7 cm
ISBN
0006162754 / 9780006162759
Local notes
Omslag: Ikke angivet
Omslaget forestiller en krage, der sidder på en gravsten
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Omslagstekst: 'The acknowledged queen of detective fiction' - Observer
Side 75: They had dined off ole veronique, followed by escalope de veau milanaise, proceeding to poire flambée with ice-cream. They had drunk a Pouilly Fuisse followed by a Corton, and a very good port now reposed at Mr Entwhistle's elbow. Poirot, who did not care for port, was sipping Crème de Cacao.
Side 129: Mr Goby was famous for the acquiring of information. Very few people knew about him and very few employed his services - but those few were usually extremely rich. They had to be, for Mr Goby was very expensive. His speciality was the acquiring of information quickly. At the flick of Mr Goby's double jointed thumb, hundreds of patient questioning plodding men and women, old and young, of all apparent stations in life, were despatched to question, and probe, and achieve results.
Side 131: Just the plain facts. You won't want to know how I got them. He's been in Queer Street for quite a while now.
Side 132: All in all, he's a downy card. -- dvs a smart cookie
Side 133: Do I not have cause to know it? Never shall I forget the killing of Lord Edgware. I was nearly defeated - yes, I, Hercule Poirot - by the extremely simple cunning of a vacant brain. The very simple minded have often the genius to commit an uncomplicated crime and then leave it alone.
Side 159: Mrs Jones drew a deep breath and took a long satisfying drink of sweet inky tea. 'Ar,' she said.
Side 159: Though deeply suspicious of Miss Gilchrist, and considering her as a finicky thing and a 'regular fussy old maid,' Mrs Jones approved of the lavish way in which Miss Gilchrist dispensed her employer's tea and sugar ration.
Side 171: It's a waste of time - having regrets.
Side 183: Ovaltine or Benger's - et par underlige pulvere, som briter godt kan lide
Side 214: Ah, so _he's_ the nigger in the wood pile! - i betydningen: ah, det er ham, der står bag det hele. - og i denne udgave er det ændret til Ah, so he's the fly in the ointment. Hvis man kigger efter, så er satsen lidt spinklere i den linie!
Side 233: How devoutly thankful I am I am not married to you, MadameI
Omslaget forestiller en krage, der sidder på en gravsten
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Omslagstekst: 'The acknowledged queen of detective fiction' - Observer
Side 75: They had dined off ole veronique, followed by escalope de veau milanaise, proceeding to poire flambée with ice-cream. They had drunk a Pouilly Fuisse followed by a Corton, and a very good port now reposed at Mr Entwhistle's elbow. Poirot, who did not care for port, was sipping Crème de Cacao.
Side 129: Mr Goby was famous for the acquiring of information. Very few people knew about him and very few employed his services - but those few were usually extremely rich. They had to be, for Mr Goby was very expensive. His speciality was the acquiring of information quickly. At the flick of Mr Goby's double jointed thumb, hundreds of patient questioning plodding men and women, old and young, of all apparent stations in life, were despatched to question, and probe, and achieve results.
Side 131: Just the plain facts. You won't want to know how I got them. He's been in Queer Street for quite a while now.
Side 132: All in all, he's a downy card. -- dvs a smart cookie
Side 133: Do I not have cause to know it? Never shall I forget the killing of Lord Edgware. I was nearly defeated - yes, I, Hercule Poirot - by the extremely simple cunning of a vacant brain. The very simple minded have often the genius to commit an uncomplicated crime and then leave it alone.
Side 159: Mrs Jones drew a deep breath and took a long satisfying drink of sweet inky tea. 'Ar,' she said.
Side 159: Though deeply suspicious of Miss Gilchrist, and considering her as a finicky thing and a 'regular fussy old maid,' Mrs Jones approved of the lavish way in which Miss Gilchrist dispensed her employer's tea and sugar ration.
Side 171: It's a waste of time - having regrets.
Side 183: Ovaltine or Benger's - et par underlige pulvere, som briter godt kan lide
Side 214: Ah, so _he's_ the nigger in the wood pile! - i betydningen: ah, det er ham, der står bag det hele. - og i denne udgave er det ændret til Ah, so he's the fly in the ointment. Hvis man kigger efter, så er satsen lidt spinklere i den linie!
Side 233: How devoutly thankful I am I am not married to you, MadameI
Other editions
After the funeral by Agatha Christie (Paperback)
Blev han myrdet? : efter begravelsen by Agatha Christie (Paperback)
Similar in this library
Series
Pages
251
DDC/MDS
| 823/.9/1 |