Sad Cypress
SYNOPSIS
Elinor Carlisle is in the dock. It seemed so long ago now that she had life pretty well sorted, a wealthy aunt she expected to inherit from, a fiance Roddy whom she'd known and loved all her life plus plenty of plans for the future. But when her Aunt's ward Mary Gerrard came back on the scene and she received a letter warning her that she could be cut out, she and Roddy decided they should visit. Soon enough, Roddy's head was turned by the beautiful Mary and when the Aunt and then Mary both died... all fingers pointed at Elinor.
Can Poirot prove there has been a mistake and save her from the judge and jury? Read to find out...
poirot
Poirot's 18th appearance in a novel - here to solve the crime.
when to read
I tend to read/ listen or just watch this in the summer when the roses are out in the garden. The ITV adaptation with David Suchet is really close to the story line of the book so I enjoy this particular adaptation.
murder mystery
Murder mystery by Agatha Christie
england
Set in a classic English village and sprawling country manor house.
Publishing info
This is Agatha Christie's 27th novel. It was published in 1940 the same year as 'One, Two, Buckle My Shoe'.
overall rating
5/5
On Screen
Watching Agatha Christie
Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie was filmed as part of the ITV feature length episodes and is Season 9 episode 2 starring David Suchet as Poirot.
Did you know
David Suchet met residents of the hospice where filming took place dressed up as and in the character of Poirot to answer their questions.
Sad Cypress Character List
| Alfred James Wargrave | Witness, an expert in roses |
| Amelia Mary Sedley | Witness from New Zealand |
| Dr Alan Garcia | Witness for the prosecution |
| Dr Peter Lord | Mrs Welman’s doctor |
| Edward John Marshall | Witness from New Zealand |
| Elinor Carlisle | Mrs Welman’s niece who is accused of murdering Mary |
| Eliza Gerrard | Deceased wife of Bob Gerrard and once lady’s maid to Mrs Welman |
| Ephrim ‘Bob’ Gerrard | Lodgekeeper and legal father of Mary |
| Horlick | Gardner for Mrs Welman |
| Inspector Brill | Investigating officer |
| James Arthur Littledale | Witness, a chemist |
| Mary Gerrard | Mrs Welman’s young protégé who grew up at the lodge and is killed |
| Mary Riley | Mary Gerrard’s Aunt, Eliza Gerrard’s sister |
| Mr Abbott | Witness and a grocer |
| Mr Justice Beddingfield | The judge in Elinor’s court hearing |
| Mr Seddon | Elinor’s solicitor |
| Mrs Bishop | Mrs Welman’s housekeeper |
| Mrs Laura Welman | Wealthy widow who dies |
| Mrs Slattery | Local gossip and housekeeper to the former village doctor |
| Nurse Eileen O’Brien | Nurse who treats Mrs Welman |
| Nurse Jessie Hopkins | District Nurse |
| Roderick Welman | Initially engaged to Elinor |
| Sir Edwin Bulmer | Counsel for the defence of Elinor Carlisle |
| Sir Lewis Rycroft | Deceased, married to a committed patient and once in love with Laura Welman |
| Sir Samuel Attenbury | Counsel for the prosecution |
| Ted Bigland | Farmer’s son who wants to date Mary Gerrard |
SPOILERS BELOW!
Mary Gerrard and Mrs Welman
Nurse Hoplins
Nurse Hopkins was really Mary Gerrad’s Aunt from New Zealand, Mary Draper nee Riley . She persuades Mary to leave the money she inherits from Mrs Welman to herself as Mary’s aunt.
Mary and Mrs Welman are both poisoned with Morphine
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