Five Little Pigs is a book written by the acclaimed author Agatha Christie. It is an unusual book as the renowned sleuth Hercule Poirot solves a case regarding a murder that took place sixteen years ago. This meant that Poirot could only use what he calls his ‘little grey cells’. This time we are totally enraptured by Poirot’s wit as he unravels the murderer’s identity in the last part of the book. Readers are totally kept in the dark throughout the book.
The title is something that will attract you to read the synopsis. While reading the book, you will realise why Christie has named the book so . I will not ruin that surprise for you.
Amyas Crale, a famous painter was ostensibly murdered by his wife, Caroline .Caroline was taken into custody and was imprisoned for life. According to all of the people in the house at that time, the motive could only be jealousy since her husband had had an affair with a young woman called Elsa Greer and intended to marry her. Moreover, all the evidence pointed towards Caroline. Almost everyone blamed her until her daughter, Carla reads a letter written by her mother (who was now dead) to her telling her that she was innocent. Carla receives this ‘present’ on her 21st birthday. Carla instantly calls upon the services of Hercule Poirot and asks him to investigate the matter. Needless to say, Poirot succeeds in finding the real culprit.
Like many Agatha Christie novels, you may initially find the novel slightly tedious but soon you will be intrigued by the plot and will start pondering upon the case. Every reader will wonder who the real culprit is. Each suspect is as unlikely as the next. Who could the murderer be? A stockbroker who was also Amyas’ best friend? Or his sister-in-law who was then just a young girl of 15? The story revolves around 5 primary suspects and Hercule Poirot very ingeniously analyses and finally solves the case.
I love reading mysteries especially ones written by Agatha Christie. I have no shame in admitting that I guessed the culprit wrong. I assure you that you will not regret reading this book.
