Elephants Can Remember is a mystery novel by Agatha Christie featuring Hercule Poirot and recurring character Ariadne Oliver (a novelist).    It was the last Agatha Christie book written about either character.   The detectives are trying to solve an older mystery of the deaths of two people, which had been proclaimed a double suicide.    The task is to find out what really happened, but how do you solve a decades old case?   Today we can review cold cases with modern forensics, but in 1972, all that is left are police reports and memories of people from that time period.    They start by meeting old acquaintances, employees, investigators, and family members, seeking “elephants” who can remember details.

In modern crime novels, the prime plot strategy is to include thriller elements.    This book moves along slowly and quietly, weaving together pieces from the past.   The narrative is less crisp than early works, but she was 82 at the time.    The book would not fit into a list of her best novels, but it is a comfortable book to read nonetheless.    As it turned out, I had guessed the mystery at the 2/3 point, but I was happy to read to the end, enjoying Poirot once again.

Recommended, but there are better Agatha Christie stories for first timers.    Rating – 4.2/5 stars