One of Christie's last Hercule Poirot mysteries, with Ariadne Oliver playing a very big role. Although the book is set in the 1970s, they're looking back at two deaths (a supposed murder/suicide) that occurred many years earlier. Lots of charm and entertainment from Mrs. Oliver's investigations, and an interesting cast of characters, although the book is poorly edited for facts/plot points, and the solution is very similar to an earlier book, which I will not name here (no spoilers). A good later effort, but not one of Dame Agatha's best. I enjoy re-reading it occasionally. ( )

I am on an Agatha Christie run right now. This book is a Hercule Poirot mystery. This is a story of a woman,Mrs. Ariadne Oliver, that is approached while at a literary luncheon by some one unknown to her, Mrs. Burton-Cox, about Mrs. Oliver's goddaughter's parents deaths fifteen years earlier. Mrs. Burton-Cox is curious to learn the truth about the murder/suicide of Celia Ravenscroft's parents.

This was a different type of mystery that was interesting to follow. You already know who the victims are you are just trying to learn who was killed first. Who was the actual person to murder and then commit suicide. Mrs. Burton-Cox is concerned because her son and Celia are planning to get married. She doesn't want her son marrying some one who may decide to kill her son. As the story progresses you start to feel that there is an underlying reason for Mrs. Burton-Cox's true concerns. ( )

Elephants Can Remember features one of my favorite Christie creations – Ariadne Oliver, who was supposed to be something of an alter ego for the author. I really wish Christie had allowed her to be more of a major character. In this novel, Mrs. Oliver is asked by a Mrs. Burton-Cox to discover the truth about a crime that happened many years ago – a murder involving the parents of Celia Ravenscroft, the girl who is about to become engaged to Mrs. B-C's son. At first annoyed by the request, Ariadne soon becomes curious and starts interviewing people about the murder, and of course eventually calls upon her good friend Hercule Poirot for help.

Like most of Christie's works, this one has a long line-up of characters. It also involves a number of plot devices familiar to her readers – including mistaken identity, adoption and illegitimacy, and a pet dog who, as Poirot says, may be "more intelligent perhaps than the police."

I usually find the idea of investigating an ancient crime rather tedious. It takes away all the immediacy of the drama. And at the end of this book, after the mystery has been solved and everything is wrapped up, I found myself coming to a sort of "so what" moment which was a bit of a let-down. So I'd say while it's still a good read and I enjoyed it, it's definitely not the best example of Dame Agatha's work. ( )

poirot and adriane duet , nice ..

A bit of a dull read. Far too much time is spent on Ariadne Oliver visiting old acquaintances, with Poirot, who has lost most of his Belgianicity, thrust into the background. The solution to the mystery is at least halfway very predictable. ( )