Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie * * * *
Christie herself once said this was one of her favourites, and it is easy to see why. The setup is unusual, even daring, because the mystery relies far less on physical clues and far more on psychology. Poirot is here, but he is not working alone. He is joined by Superintendent Battle, Colonel Race, and the sharp-witted Ariadne Oliver. Each approaches the suspects differently, and Christie uses those differences to explore four distinct ways of thinking about guilt.
The suspects themselves are a study in possibility. Each has a dark shadow in their past, and each is capable of murder. At times, it truly feels as though it could have been anyone. That may be why I never remember the solution. I have watched the David Suchet adaptation several times, and I have listened to the audiobook, yet the ending refuses to stay in my mind. My brain seems determined to erase it, which is frustrating and funny at the same time.
Oddly enough, that forgetfulness made the experience better. Because I did not remember who the culprit was, I was able to be genuinely surprised again. Every red herring worked on me as if it were new. Hugh Fraser’s narration helped as well. His voice is always reliably unobtrusive, and gives each character a different voice.
This is not a Christie of footprints, broken watches, or overlooked objects. It is a Christie of minds and motives, played out almost like a card game in which every move reveals something about the player. That focus makes the novel stand out within her body of work.
I would definitely recommend Cards on the Table, especially to readers who enjoy psychological puzzles and unconventional structures. It is clever, controlled, and deceptively simple. And if you are anything like me, it may be the mystery you keep forgetting, only to rediscover with pleasure every single time.
Comments
Post a Comment