SYNOPSIS
The young new bride Rosaleen Cloade has been left a fortune after her husband in killed in an air raid attack - much to the frustration of the rest of his family who were desperate for their 'share' of his fortune. Tensions are high, threats are made and of course, murder ensues.
poirot
Poirot is brought in to investigate after overhearing the tale of the Cloades and Major Underhay while in the Concordia Club in London
when to read
Another anytime read for me - no specific dates or times of year that draw me to this one - to be honest, its just not my favourite.
murder mystery
It may not be the murder you're expecting but there's a host of suspects to chose from.
ENGLAND
Set in England in 1946
Publishing info
Published in 1948 coming after 'The Hollow' in 1946 and before 'Crooked House' in 1948.
overall rating
2/5
On Screen
Watching Agatha Christie
Taken at the Flood by Agatha Christie was filmed as part of the ITV feature length episodes and is Season 10 episode 4 starring David Suchet as Poirot.
Taken at the Flood Character List
Adela Marchmont | Lynn’s Mother and younger sister of George Cloade |
Anthony Cloade | Son of Jeremy and Frances who was killed in the war |
Beatrice Lippincott | landlady of The Stagg Inn |
David Hunter | Rosaleen’s brother |
Eileen Corrigan | Housmaid at Gordon Cloade’s London house |
Enoch Arden | Stranger staying at The Stagg and blackmailer |
Frances Cloade | Married to Jeremy |
George | Poirot’s valet |
Gladys | Maid at The Stagg Inn |
Gordon Cloade | Deceased husband of Rosaleen Cloade, killed in the Blitz |
Jeremy Cloade | Solicitor and older brother of George Cloade, married to Frances |
Johnnie Vavasour | Farming partner to Rowley, killed in the war |
Katherine Cloade | Married to Lionel |
Lionel Cloade | Doctor and younger brother of George Cloade, married to Katherine |
Lynn Marchmont | Recently returned Wrenn, engaged to Rowley |
Major Porter | Member of the same club in London as Jeremy Cloade |
Mrs Leadbetter | Resident at The Stagg Inn |
Rosaleen Cloade / Mrs Robert Underhay | Wealthy young widow, first married to Robert Underhay and then George Cloade |
Rowley Cloade | Local Farmer and nephew of George Cloade |
Sergeant Graves | Policeman |
Superintendent Spence | Retired police officer |
SPOILERS BELOW!
Rosaleen Cloade aka Eileen Corrigan is the only true murder despite there being three deaths in the novel.
Enoch Arden – actually – Charles Trenton, second cousin to Frances Cloade wasn’t murder but ‘an accident’
Major Porter commits suicide after perjuring himself.
Rowley also attempts to strange Lynn who then goes on the marry him (you can see why this is not one of my favourites)
David Hunter murders the womand posing as Rosaleen Cloade.
Rowley is responsible for the deaths of Trenton and Major Porter and tries to kill Lynn.
David hunter falls in love with Lynn and wants to marry her. He decides he needs to kill Rosaleen (aka Eileen Corrigan) his accomplis and former lover to be rid of her.
Poisoned (appears as an over dose)