Elephants Can Remember
Synopsis
Ariadne Oliver's god daughter wants to get married but the circumstances surrounding the death of her parents is causing a rift between her and her would-be mother-in-law. The question is - did her mother kill her father or did her father kill her mother. Soon enough, Ariadne engages her friend Monsieur Hercule Poirot to help to find out.
poirot
Poirot's second to last appearance - the 31st time he appears in a novel. Once again he is joined by the entertaining Ariadne Oliver.
when to read
Enjoyable anytime of the year.
murder mystery
A historical murder much like Five Little Pigs - we revisit circumstances from the past to find the solution.
england
With references to 'cliffs' we appear to be back on the coast in a villiage called 'Chipping Bartram'.
Publishing info
Published towards to end of her career in 1972, this is Agatha Christie's 63rd mystery novel.
overall rating
4/5
On Screen
Watching Agatha Christie
After the Funeral by Agatha Christie was filmed as part of the ITV feature length episodes and is Season 13 episode 1 starring David Suchet.
Elephants Can Remember Character List
| Ariadne Oliver | Author of popular mystery books |
| Celia Ravenscroft | Godchild of Ariadne Oliver and daughter of the victims |
| Chief Superintendent Garroway | Investigating officer – retired |
| Desmond Burton-Cox | Celia’s boyfriend |
| Dorothea ‘Dolly’ Jarrow nee Preston-Grey | Twin sister of Margaret |
| Dr Willoughby | Psychiatrist |
| General Alistair Ravenscroft | Husband of Margaret and father of Celia |
| Honourable Julia Carstairs | Acquaintance of the Ravenscrofts |
| Mademoiselle Rouselle | Governess to the Ravenscrofts |
| Major Jarrow | The man Dorothea ‘Dolly’ married, he died out in India |
| Margaret ‘Molly’ Ravenscroft nee Preston-Grey | Wife of Alistair and mother of Celia. She has a twin sister |
| Mr Goby | Poirot’s PI |
| Mrs Buckle | the Ravenscrofts cleaner |
| Mrs Burton-Cox | Adoptive mother of Desmond |
| Mrs Matcham | the nursemaid to the Ravenscrofts |
| Mrs Rosentelle | Wig maker and hairdresser |
| Superintendent Spence | Retired police officer |
| Zelie Meauhourat | Governess to the Ravenscrofts |
SPOILERS BELOW!
Margaret Ravenscroft, Dorothea Ravenscroft and to an extent Alistair Ravenscroft.
Dorothea killed her twin sister in a manic episode. Alistair killed Dorothea and then himself.
Dorothea killed her sister in a manic episode. Alistair then did as his wife wished to protect her but ultimately killed her to stop her from harming any one else. He then killed himself as he couldn’t live as a murderer.
Margaret is ‘injured’ – Alistair shoots both Dorothea and himself.