Ordeal By Innocence- A different Christie Experience

'Ordeal by Innocence' is a work of detective fiction by British author Agatha Christie, the Queen of Mystery. A crucial witness is unaware of his role as such until two years after a man is found guilty of murder. When he realizes the information he holds, he re-opens the question of who was the murderer two years ago. This novel focuses on the Argyle family and the impacts caused by the revelation. Dr. Calgary, a geophysicist back from an expedition in Antarctica, realizes the importance of his evidence of giving a lift to an unknown hitchhiker two years ago when he finds out he was charged for a murder that took place at the time he was in his car. He realizes it is too late to save the man Jack Argyle and visits the family to break the news to them. While well-meaning, Dr. Calgary fails to see the repercussions of his act. To quote a character from the book,

"It’s not the guilty who matter. It’s the innocent.”

She caught his arm, digging her fingers into it.

“It’s we who matter. Don’t you see what you’ve done to us all?”

It is soon revealed to Calgary that with Jack 'Jacko' Argyle cleared, the other members of the family fall under suspicion. While the premise of the cold trial is similar to her work 'Five Little Pigs', it is neither a sixteen-year-old case nor is there a Hercule Poirot to carry the investigation. This novel is different from the usual Christie works, focusing more on the socio-psychological aspects than the detection of the killer. We are shown the reactions and emotions of every member of the Argyle Family and the secretary and housekeeper. The ending had the customary Christie touch. What the novel lacks is the sense of rush the reader gets when a character is busy detecting which in turn gets them to try and detect. People accustomed only to Poirot and Marple might not enjoy this book.

Personally, I found it a good read and was able to figure out the M.O- but cast the wrong person for it. The end took me a little by surprise. Not my favorite read, but a damn good one.

Overall, the story lacked a central focus, but the unraveling was sound. An entertaining and fun read.

Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐

Happy Reading!