readwithmimsRead Christie 2023
Updated: Jan 16
Methods & Motives
'The truth, however ugly in itself, is always curious and beautiful to seekers after it.' - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
I'm so excited about this theme! I feel like this year, we'll be able to get into the heart of Christie's genius - understanding the psychology of her characters, and how they commit their crimes. The solution is always in sight; the clues are all there. I'm always beating myself up for missing the seemingly obvious hints.
I hope this year's reading challenge will allow me to enjoy and appreciate Christie's books all over again. I have attached the Agatha Christie Ltd website and socials below:
Below are the company's official picks for each month, but more reading guidance will be available from the 4th of January onwards
Month | Theme | Official Pick |
January | Jealousy | Sad Cypress |
February | Blunt Object | Partners in Crime |
March | Anger | The Moving Finger |
April | Poison | Sparkling Cyanide |
May | Betrayal | Reveal in 2023 |
June | Gunshot | They Do It with Mirrors |
July | Love & Lust | Evil Under the Sun |
August | Fall from a Height | Death Comes As The End |
September | Hatred | Appointment with Death |
October | Stabbing | Reveal in 2023 |
November | Greed | Endless Night |
December | Strangulation | Sleeping Murder |
Hercule Poirot is my favourite Christie character - I have a collection of his mysteries as an affiliate on Bookshop
Any commission earned will be redirected to the Malala Fund
January
Sad Cypress
Alternative Picks: Five Little Pigs, Towards Zero, Cards on the Table, Death on the Nile, Murder in Mesopotamia, The Murder on the Links, The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side
Motive - Jealousy
This is only the second time I've read Sad Cypress and that must have been a couple of years ago now. The fun part of rereading Christie's books is that it gives you the opportunity to look for all the clues you missed the first time. I've always found that the genius of Christie is that she does indeed give you all the tools you need to solve the mystery, and yet- she still manages to take you by surprise with a twist! Sad Cypress is more of a slow-paced mystery in comparison to her other works like A Pocket Full of Rye. However, I think that was necessary for this plot because it allowed the reader to familiarise themselves with the characters like Elinor Carlisle, and then work on their own deductions.
This was definitely a puzzle that ached my head initially because all the evidence clearly points in one direction.
'Anyone who has never really loved has never really lived...'
What I loved about the jealousy theme is that it shows how important it is for readers to not take the facts at face value. Jealousy can manifest itself in a variety of different forms; its presence may appear entirely obvious to very subtle. I think Sad Cypress is such a lovely, cosy mystery. There will be a moment in Part III where the penny will drop for most readers, and they'll be kicking themselves as to how they could have missed the obvious signs.
Synopsis
Elinor Carlisle has been convicted for the murder of Mary Gerrard. The damning evidence all points to her; she had a method and motive. However, not everyone is convinced of her guilt. Dr Lord appeals to the famous Hercule Poirot to try to uncover who was really responsible for Mary's death. Or was it Elinor all along...?
See you all in February!