Crooked House

Agatha Christie

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Crooked House by Agatha Christie is a standalone murder mystery novel that revolves around the murder of wealthy Aristide Leonides in his lavish yet peculiar house. The story follows Charles Hayward, a young man in love with Aristide's granddaughter Sophia, as he gets entangled in the investigation to uncover the murderer among the dysfunctional Leonides family members. With unexpected twists and vivid character portrayals, the book unfolds a classic whodunit plot set in a sprawling mansion in the English countryside, keeping readers engaged till the very end.

The narrative of Crooked House is filled with suspense, intrigue, and a touch of creepiness that builds up as the story progresses. Agatha Christie masterfully weaves a tale where every family member and even the staff become suspects in the murder, creating a tangled web of motives, alibis, and secrets. The book not only presents a compelling mystery but also delves into the complexities of family dynamics, showcasing Christie's talent for crafting engaging plots and memorable characters in a non-traditional detective story.

Characters:

The characters are a dysfunctional yet vividly drawn ensemble that adds depth to the narrative, with notable personalities shaping the story's events.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by relaxed confidence and authentic dialogue that brings characters to life, skillfully balancing humor with serious themes.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around a murder within the wealthy Leonides family, revealing complex relationships and motivations that culminate in a surprising twist.

Setting:

The setting is a post-World War II English country house that serves as the backdrop for both the murder investigation and family dynamics.

Pacing:

The pacing effectively blends suspense with character exploration, maintaining reader engagement throughout.

I first came to know Sophia Leonides in Egypt towards the end of the war. She held a fairly high administrative post in one of the Foreign Office departments out there. I knew her first in an official...

Notes:

Agatha Christie considered Crooked House to be one of her favorite novels.

The story centers around the wealthy Leonides family, living in a uniquely designed house that symbolizes their dysfunction.

The protagonist, Charles Hayward, is engaged to Sophia Leonides and investigates the murder of her grandfather, Aristide.

The novel explores complex family dynamics and rivalries within the Leonides household.

Josephine, the granddaughter, is a precocious character who acts as a young detective throughout the story.

Crooked House was published in 1949, post-World War II, reflecting societal changes in England.

The book features a murder mystery where the murderer is revealed through a logical deduction that shocks the reader.

It has elements of both humor and dark themes, as the story delves into the nature of greed and entitlement.

The novel includes a critique of the British upper classes and their morals after the war.

Crooked House influenced later murder mystery formats, including elements seen in the film Knives Out.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of murder, family dysfunction, mental illness, and potential emotional manipulation.

From The Publisher:

The Leonides are one big happy family living in a sprawling, ramshackle mansion. That is until the head of the household, Aristide, is murdered with a fatal barbiturate injection.

Suspicion naturally falls on the old man's young widow, fifty years his junior. But the murderer has reckoned without the tenacity of Charles Hayward, fiancé of the late millionaire's granddaughter.

"Writing Crooked House was pure pleasure and I feel justified in my belief that it is one of my best." -Agatha Christie

Ratings (54)

Incredible (11)
Loved It (18)
Liked It (19)
It Was OK (5)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (96):

Read It (56)
Want To Read (33)
Not Interested (7)

1 comment(s)

ColorfulLeo92

Incredible

2 months

This has to be one of my all time favorite Christie book! I was expecting no less when I read that not only was this her favorite book that she wrote, the publishers asked her a few times to rewrite the ending and she promptly said no. This was even more enjoyable who dunnit mystery than I thought and the ending had me floored. Of course when she displays all the evidence for the murderer it seems so obvious but I can never ever get even a little close to solving it. I can gush over this for days and I definitely need to see if their is an tv adaption of this on YouTube!

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