Book Review: Five Little Pigs
The accepted version of certain facts is not necessarily the true one
What to do when your mother is convicted of murdering your father? No, less than the crime in question occurred when you were five? It has been 16 years, and your mother's letter arrives on your 21st birthday announcing she was innocent of the crime. Naturally, you believe her, but public opinion says she’s guilty; the facts even say so. And yet…? Enter centre stage – Hercule Poirot.
To solve the mystery Poirot must travel back in time, 16 years hence. Memory is a fickle thing, and the five suspects all had a motive and possible opportunity, but who administered the poison? Our supposed murderess Caroline Crayle was seen as somewhat of a martyr. She put up with her husband's (Amyas) antics of womanising throughout his artistic career. But maybe he went too far, bringing with him to the family seat one: Elsa Greer, the young, obnoxious, highly spirited, and spoilt mistress. Philip and Meredith Blake - both childhood friends of Caroline and Amyas and who were both in love with Caroline. Angela Warren – the younger half-sister of Caroline whom Caroline maimed for life as a child, and then there was the governess: Miss Williams idolised Caroline. Each has a motive. Elsa wants Amyas and hates Caroline, Philip always seemed to hate Caroline but loved Amyas, Meredith created the poison, Angela was about to be sent off to school at Amyas’ instance, and Miss Williams was Caroline's greatest supporter on top of which, she despises Amyas. That is our cast of characters and our main suspects in this cruel and unusual crime, the consequences of which slowly and deliciously unravel themselves to devastating effect.
Hmmm, is Caroline guilty or innocent? She had a lot against her; she was overheard threatening, “You and your women, I’ll kill you myself!” which is a damning thing to say before your husband is suddenly found dead only a few hours later. Yet is she guilty? Only time and the little grey cells will tell. Poirot has the tough decision to try and read between the lines. Who is telling the truth? Even now, sixteen years later, when memory blurs the lines, what is the truth? When it is so cleverly buried in the past. It is one of Agatha Christies most underrated crime classics; how to Solve a Murder that has already been ‘Solved’.