Synopsis

Six people gather for dinner at a London restaurant, one year after the tragic death of Rosemary Barton at her own birthday party, where she was poisoned with cyanide. Her husband, George Barton, hosts this grim reunion, inviting those who were present at the original fateful party, believing that one of them is his wife's killer. He publicly announces his intention to unmask the murderer and sets a trap to expose them. However, before he can act, George himself is found dead, also poisoned by cyanide, mirroring his wife's fate. Now, Superintendent Kemp must delve into the tangled web of relationships, hidden jealousies, and unspoken resentments among the remaining guests: Rosemary's devoted admirer Anthony Browne, her estranged sister Iris Marle, her former husband Stephen Farraday, his wife Sandra, and the enigmatic Ruth Lessing. As the investigation unfolds, dark secrets and unexpected motives emerge, revealing that Rosemary was not as innocent as she seemed, and almost everyone had a reason, or opportunity, to wish her dead. The double murder deepens the mystery, forcing Kemp to piece together fragments of the past to uncover the shocking truth.

Critical Reception

"Often cited as one of Christie's more intricate and character-driven mysteries, it continues to engage readers with its psychological depth and clever misdirection."

Adaptations

1946 film "Sparkling Cyanide" (US title), 1983 TV film "Sparkling Cyanide".

Metadata

ISBN:9780816145973
Pages:370
Age Rating:16+

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