Elephants Can Remember

Elephants Can Remember Book

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.

The filming of Elephants Can Remember mostly took place at the Pinewood Studios in London as well as Grey’s Court a National Trust property in Oxfordshire

David Suchet starres as Hercule Poirot alongside Zoë Wanamaker as Ariadne Oliver and Vanessa Kirby as Celia Ravenscroft.

Elephants Can Remember Character List

Ariadne OliverAuthor of popular mystery books
Celia RavenscroftGodchild of Ariadne Oliver and daughter of the victims
Chief Superintendent GarrowayInvestigating officer – retired
Desmond Burton-CoxCelia’s boyfriend
Dorothea ‘Dolly’ Jarrow nee Preston-GreyTwin sister of Margaret
Dr WilloughbyPsychiatrist
General Alistair RavenscroftHusband of Margaret and father of Celia
Honourable Julia CarstairsAcquaintance of the Ravenscrofts
Mademoiselle RouselleGoverness to the Ravenscrofts
Major JarrowThe man Dorothea ‘Dolly’ married, he died out in India
Margaret ‘Molly’ Ravenscroft nee Preston-GreyWife of Alistair and mother of Celia. She has a twin sister
Mr GobyPoirot’s PI
Mrs Bucklethe Ravenscrofts cleaner
Mrs Burton-CoxAdoptive mother of Desmond
Mrs Matchamthe nursemaid to the Ravenscrofts
Mrs RosentelleWig maker and hairdresser
Superintendent SpenceRetired police officer
Zelie MeauhouratGoverness 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.

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