Five Little Pigs (Hercule Poirot, #25)

by Agatha Christie

“God damn all women! If a man is to have any peace he must steer clear of women!”

First published in 1942, this book has some interesting language choices. I admire Christie for that.

Observe the use of the word "egoism" and "egoist" rather than "egotist." The distinction is important, vital to character, and adds (I suspect, at this point) to the psychological componants that Poirot will use to make his final deductions.

do not like appearing at a disadvantage. It upsets their vanity.

This, and a few comments following, make me wonder if Crale knew he was falling ill to something, and the pact was his suicide with the Mrs. agreeing to be true to his memory, even to the point of going to prison for it. Perhaps they weren't to be parted after all.

Mrs. Crale was busily polishing the beer bottle on the table with her handkerchief. Having done so, she took her dead husband’s hand and pressed the fingers of it on the beer bottle.

Ah ha! So, who is she covering up for?

‘To know you have permanently injured another human being is the heaviest burden anyone could have to bear.’”

Yes,but is she speaking of her hurting Angela? Christie used a similar crimson carp in 'Styles," the first Poirot story. Perhaps, after 22 more Poirot books, she thought we'd forget. :D Note from later on: Oops, never mind...

Because she knew who had poisoned him and she was willing to do anything—endure anything—rather than let that person be suspected.

THERE we go!