Elephants Can Remember

Mystery writer Ariadne Oliver calls upon old friend Hercule Poirot to help unravel the mystery behind the apparent double suicide of General and Lady Ravenscroft fifteen years earlier. In such a cold case, the two must rely on the memories of "elephants," those older people who were around at the time, who recall events relating to the tragedy. John Moffat's narration is charming. Poirot's Belgian accent and the variety of accents identifying British social classes are utterly believable. Mofat's sense of timing exactly captures the period, and no bon mot is left to chance. While credibility is strained by clues falling predictably into place and all loose ends being neatly tucked away, even Agatha Christie's lesser works are entertaining, and Moffat's performance makes this one well worth a listen. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine