Sad Cypress is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie and first published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club in March 1940[1] and in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company later in the same year.[2][3] The UK edition retailed at eight shillings and threepence (8/3)[1] – the first price rise for a UK Christie edition since her 1921 debut - and the US edition retailed at $2.00.[3]
In reviewing several crime novels in The Observer's issue of 10 March, 1940, Maurice Richardson began, An outstanding crime week. Not only is Agatha Christie shining balefully on her throne, but the courtiers have made an unusually neat artistic arrangement of corpses up and down the steps. Concentrating on Sad Cypress specifically, Richardson concluded, Characterisation brilliantly intense as ever. In fact, Agatha Christie has done it again, which is all you need to know. [6]
The Scotsman's review in its issue of 11 March, 1940 concluded, Sad Cypress is slighter and rather less ingenious than Mrs Christie's stories usually are, and the concluding explanation is unduly prolonged. But it is only with reference to Mrs Christie's own high level that it seems inferior. By ordinary standards of detective fiction it is a fascinating and skilfully related tale. [7]
As usual with the best Christie tales the intricate plot is the standout feature of Sad Cypress. Although one always knows that the obvious answer cannot be the real solution everything points to Elinor ’s guilt and I did wonder how Ms Christie (or M. Poirot) would work their way out of this particular corner. The resolution is clever and, at least by me, unexpected. The final portion of the book took readers back to the courtroom where the case for the defense is laid out and we see what Poirot made of all the odd little facts he has accumulated with his seemingly random conversations with all the players in the drama. I did find the ending a bit drawn out with several unnecessary repetitions of key information.
