Set in the winter in the wilds of Devonshire, this mystery doesn't have the usual suspects of Christie's detectives. But it does have a very inventive beginning. There's snow on the ground and more coming soon. The Willetts, a mother and daughter who have rented Sittaford House for the winter from Captain Trevelyan, a retired navy man who only agreed to it because the money was good. He got himself a place to rent in Exhampton, six miles away. The Willetts have invited the neighbors over for tea and company. Major Burnaby, also retired, and a close friend of Trevelyan, is the first to arrive. Then comes Mr. Rycoft, an amateur criminalist. And then Mr Garfield, a single young man, dancing attendance to his demanding aunt. And finally Mr Duke, a mysterious gentleman whom no one knows anything They exchange pleasantries, and someone suggests playing table turning, which is an occult game where one knock equals "no" and two knocks equal "yes", each knock starts off with the first letters of the alphabet: "a" is one knock, "b" is two knocks.
At first, it's good fun, but it soon takes a turn when the "spirit" they are speaking to is Trevelyan's, and he is dead. Everyone is upset after that, but Major Burnaby is the most upset and wonders if his best friend is okay. He insists on leaving and walking to Trevellyan's rented house in Exhampton by himself. When he finally gets there, he finds Trevelyan dead inside with a window open that a thief has apparently gotten in by. The police believe that it is a burglar who thought the place was empty. Inspector Narrcatt, the man brought in to investigate, does not believe this is the case.
Trevelyan has two nephews and a niece, as well as a sister who will inherit his vast estate. Narrcatt arrests Jim Pearson, one of the nephews, when he finds out that Pearson had been in town that day and left early the next morning. However, it seems too easy, and Pearson doesn't appear to be smart enough to have committed the crime. Pearson's brother, who is supposed to be in Australia, has been sneaking around Sittaford House and the young Miss Willett. The niece is married to a marginally selling writer who really needs the money. Trevelyan's sister is married to a man who came back from The Great War paralyzed and in need of expensive treatment. Trevellyan was not a particularly nice man. He didn't like or trust women. No one except Major Burnaby will truly miss him.
The book really comes alive when Emily, the fiancée of Jim Pearson, comes down to investigate. She is a beautiful, strong woman who can easily get men to do her bidding. She works on her investigation and Narrcatt does his, but she makes sure to keep the Inspector informed of what she finds out. This book was slow out of the gate, but it finishes with a real bang. This is Agatha Christie at her best. A perfect read for the winter months to come.
Quote
A real simple sailor at heart...Every woman loves a sailor.
Agatha Christie (Murder at Sittaford p 114)
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