Taken at the Flood: A Post-War Mystery Masterpiece
Book read and review done by Karen Brits for BluJeans Books.
Read more about this book here.
Taken at the Flood
Taken at the Flood: A Post-War Mystery Masterpiece
by Agatha Christie
Hercule Poirot #29
Published in 1948, Taken at the Flood stands out as one of Agatha Christie’s fascinating explorations of post-World War II Britain. This novel isn’t just a typical Hercule Poirot whodunnit; it’s also a sharp commentary on how the war shaped society, both for those who served and those who remained at home. Christie’s knack for capturing the essence of the times shines through, providing readers with a glimpse of life after peace—where returning soldiers, war-torn families, and financial desperation intertwine with murder and intrigue.
The story follows the Cloade family, who find themselves in financial ruin after Gordon Cloade, their wealthy benefactor, is killed in a London air raid. His young widow, Rosaleen, inherits his vast fortune, leaving the family scrambling for a way to reclaim their lost security. Suspicion grows when rumors circulate that Rosaleen’s first husband may still be alive. When a violent murder occurs, Hercule Poirot is called in to solve the mystery, but as always, Poirot unravels much more than just a simple crime.
The novel’s title, Taken at the Flood, is drawn from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar:
“There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.”
This quote sets the tone for the novel, with characters navigating the ‘tides’ of fortune and loss in the turbulent post-war era. For many, the war was over, but the struggles had only just begun. The story delves deep into the psychological impact of the war, from the soldiers returning home to a changed world, to the families left behind, many of whom were now financially unstable and grappling with the realities of post-war Britain.
A Historical Snapshot: Post-War Britain in Fiction
Christie wrote Taken at the Flood in a period when Britain was recovering from the devastation of World War II. The novel reflects the mood of a society adjusting to peace but still scarred by loss, rationing, and economic instability. Veterans returned home to find a different world, one where their skills and past lives often didn’t fit into the post-war economy. The Cloade family, for example, represents the many families struggling with the shift from wartime to peacetime, particularly the financial implications of losing their main source of income.
The inclusion of mediums and spiritualists in the plot reflects another historical aspect of the time: the popularity of séances and the occult. After the war, many families who had lost loved ones turned to the spirit world for comfort, which Christie weaves into the story’s intrigue.
Hercule Poirot’s Unique Approach
As always, Hercule Poirot brings his unique intellect to unravel the twisted motives of the suspects. But in Taken at the Flood, Poirot is not just solving a crime—he’s also reflecting on human nature, the pursuit of wealth, and how war changes the moral fabric of society.
The plot is brimming with Christie’s signature twists, red herrings, and a satisfying resolution. Yet, beneath the surface, it’s a tale of greed, survival, and the risks we take when chasing fortune during turbulent times.
Agatha Christie and Her Times
Did you know? Taken at the Flood was written during one of the most transformative periods in Christie’s life. As Britain rebuilt itself after the war, so too did Christie—both personally and professionally. By 1948, she was already a celebrated author, but the war had affected her just as it had millions of others. Her works from this period often carry a more reflective tone, influenced by the collective trauma of war and the shifting societal landscape.
Additionally, Christie herself worked in a hospital during the war, giving her an intimate understanding of post-war struggles and the medical system. This experience seeps into her characters, their motivations, and the novel’s plot points.
Fun Factoids for Mystery Fans
- The book’s title comes from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, adding a poetic layer to the themes of timing, fortune, and destiny in the story.
- Taken at the Flood was adapted for television in 2006 as part of the Agatha Christie’s Poirot series, with David Suchet playing Poirot.
- Agatha Christie’s portrayal of a post-war family struggling with finances reflected the real economic difficulties faced by many British families in the late 1940s.
- Despite being Poirot’s 29th adventure, Christie continued to keep her beloved detective fresh and full of life, showing his ability to not only solve mysteries but to understand the human condition deeply.