Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie
]I think this is the last Agatha Christie book in the library that I hadn’t already read.
An anonymous letter arrives for Elinor that says someone is trying to divert Elinor’s (assumed) inheritance from here ailing aunt. She visits the aunt with her cousin-betrothed and discovers nothing terribly out of place, but that a childhood friend (Mary) has befriended aunt and aunt wants to make a provision in her will for her. But she dies too soon and without any will at all leaving Elinor to inherit the whole thing. Elinor makes a settlement to Mary since aunt wanted it that way, but Mary dies of poisoning very shortly thereafter.
Whodunit?
Circumstantial evidence points solidly to Elinor who is now in jail (or gaol) awaiting trial. Even Poirot thinks it’s likely she did it. Until an ungracious lie piques his attention.
This is one of the better stories, but it relies on information not available to the reader. I mean, two “Marys”?! Still, it reads well and seems neatly wrapped up.
