Taken at the Flood - Agatha Christie
First published 1948.
A classic twisty Poirot investigation, with the murder in this one not taking place until almost halfway through the book.
In air-raids during World War 2, a newly married woman (Rosaleen) is widowed (for the second time), and her new family shut out of the inheritance due to a legal technicality. Knowing that their late brother always 'intended' for them to inherit a share of the estate, these relatives begin pressuring Rosaleen and her irritating brother (David) for money. A wrinkle emerges when a stranger arrives in the village, informing Rosaleen that her first husband may still be alive - a fact that, if true, would nullify her claim to the estate of her second husband and return all the money to his relatives. When the stranger turns up dead, suspicion naturally falls on Rosaleen and David. Poirot, however, is brought into the case, and has his doubts....
I enjoy looking for the clues in books like this, and this time picked up on a few as I went along. The final reveal was still satisfying, however. Enjoyable, although one note is that the epilogue may be a bit troubling to a modern audience.
Completed 25 January 2024.
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