REVIEW: Taken at the Flood

 Taken at the Flood
Author: Agatha Christie

This book was first published in the US under the title There is a Tide in 1948 and later that same year in the UK as Taken at the Flood. 

This is one of the few Agatha Christie novels that I don't have on my bookshelf. I listened to an audio book version (HarperAudio, 2012, narrated by Hugh Fraser, 6 hrs 15 minutes).  

I'm not sure why I don't have a copy of this book. Most likely I never found one/purchased one in my search for all things Christie.. Or, in my many moves through the years, I may have lost it. Who knows. I am very thankful for my local library/Hoopla as I checked out a copy immediately once I realized I didn't own the book. 

On to the story: 

 A wealthy man marries a younger, attractive widow. Unfortunately, only a few weeks later he is killed in an air raid and his wife is set to inherit the estate. Hercule Poirot is brought into the case when the dead man's sister-in-law tells him that the lovely widow's first husband may still be alive. 

Taken at the Flood is definitely the twisty, surprising classic mystery that made Christie famous! I loved every word!  

This was the first time I read this novel. I'm very glad I decided to read all of Christie's mystery writings in publication order. I'm hitting novels and short stores I might never have read if I wasn't meandering my way through them all. And, reading all of Poirot's stories and then watching the corresponding episodes of Poirot the tv series makes me appreciate the talents of David Suchet. He brought Poirot to life!!  

Adaptations: 

 BBC Radio 4: A radio dramatization was released in 2003. It runs 2 hrs and 12 minutes. John Moffat plays Hercule Poirot. Full cast with sound effects. Some aspects of the story are changed or trimmed for time, but the episode is very well done!  

Agatha Christie's Poirot - In 2006, the long-running television show had an episode based on this novel. (Season 10, episode 4). There are some pretty big changes in the story. 

Les Petits Meurtres d'Agatha Christie (The Little Murders of Agatha Christie) - Season 1 of this French television show has an episode based on this book called The Ebb and Flow. The plot is similar, but this show significantly alters just about everything else. The setting is moved to France and the investigators are completely different. Still very entertaining!  My library has this show available on Kanopy, so check your local library's digital offerings if you are interested in this show! :)   

I'm moving on to the next book in line -- Crooked House!