This edition published 9th February 2017. Originally published in 1958.
From the cover of the book:
Evidence that clears the name of a boy sentenced for killing his adopted mother arrives too late to save his life – so who did kill her?According to the courts, Jacko Argyle bludgeoned his mother to death with a poker. The sentence was life imprisonment
But when Dr Arthur Calgary turns up a year later with the proof that confirms Jacko’s innocence, he is too late – Jacko died behind bars from a bout of pneumonia.
Worse still, the doctor’s revelations re-open old wounds in the family, increasing the likelihood that the real murderer will strike again…
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Two years after the death of Jacko Argyle, imprisoned for the murder of his wealthy adoptive mother, geologist Dr Arthur Calgary returns from a polar expedition to discover he held the key to proving his innocence. He admits to the police that the alibi Jacko provided was true, and he could not possibly have committed the crime.
Calgary makes a difficult visit to Jacko's family to tell them the truth, convinced they will be relieved that he was innocent, but the response he receives is unexpectedly dour. Having believed troubled Jacko was guilty, they are now forced to confront the fact that another among them must have murdered Rachel Argyle.
As the police reopen the case, admitting they may never find out the truth, the members of the Argyle household eye each other with ever increasing suspicion. Guilt-stricken for the trouble he has brought to their door, Calgary is determined to find out the truth...
So begins a slow-burn stand-alone Christie tale that has her at her psychological best. Who really murdered philanthropist Rachel Argyle, and why? With bad boy Jacko shown to have been elsewhere, it must be one of them... Was it her husband, Leo; one of her adopted children, Mary, Mickey, Hester, or Tina, all from disadvantaged backgrounds; the faithful nurse/companion, Kirsten; or the Leo's secretary, Gwenda, who is in love with him? Two years having passed, and the trail of evidence as cold as can be, will they ever know, and will the innocent ever be able to rid themselves of the taint of guilt?
Calgary stands as the sleuth of the piece. With the logical brain of a scientist, and the occasional help of the quiet Superintendent Huish, Calgary starts by questioning the Argyle's solicitor Mr Marshall and the local doctor Dr MacMaster, moving on to the family and those connected with them. He soon begins to see that all was not quite as rosy in the Argyle household as it seems, and most them had murky motives to do away with their controlling wife/mother/employer.
Christie, at the top of her game, gives you a glimpse into the minds of the characters alongside Calgary's efforts, creating lots of red herrings as their true feelings, suspicions, and actions the night of Rachel's death are revealed. The twists and turns are quite brilliant, driven by the legacy of dysfunctional relationships, and as the Argyle household falls apart, the tension ramps up, and more bodies start to fall. Fortunately, Calgary is a cracking detective, works out the whole messy affair, and wins fair maiden among the Argyle offspring too.
There are so many lovely themes in this story about controlling relationships, motherhood, adoption, and nature vs nurture. The motives behind the murder are surprisingly modern, and there are lots of fascinating references to famous murder cases of the day that will send you down multiple rabbit holes. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
This is my September pick for #ReadChristie2024 as a story written by Christie in the 1940s/50s, and I alternated between the text and the splendid audio book narrated by my favourite, Hugh Fraser.
On to Christie's books from the 1960s/70s in the run up to the end of the year. I cannot wait!
Ordeal by Innocence is available to buy now in various formats.
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