Crooked House

The story begins with Sophia Leonides visiting private investigator Charles Hayward in his office. She is convinced that her grandfather Aristide's death was not an accident and implores Charles to take on the case.

Sophia reveals that her grandfather's insulin injections had been contaminated with a substance from his eye drops, leading to his heart attack. This alarming revelation fuels her determination to find out who is responsible.

Despite his hesitations, Charles agrees to investigate the case, partially motivated by his romantic past with Sophia. This decision marks the beginning of a journey into a web of family secrets and lies.

With permission from Chief Inspector Taverner, Charles starts his investigation at the sprawling Leonides estate. He begins interviewing family members, uncovering a mixture of resentment and potential motives for the murder.

Among the family members is Lady Edith de Haviland, who expresses her bitterness towards Aristide's controlling nature. Armed with a shotgun, she roams the estate, calling out her deep-seated grievances.

Philip Leonides, Aristide's eldest son, grapples with feelings of neglect and a gambling addiction. His struggles are compounded by the challenges he faces in trying to prove himself to his domineering father.

Philip's wife, Magda, a fading actress, shares his pain as they manage their children, Eustace and Josephine. Each child processes their grandfather's oppressive nature, leading to various outbursts of frustration.

Roger Leonides, Aristide’s younger son, is depicted as struggling to keep the family business alive while relying heavily on his father's financial support. His wife Clemency further complicates the atmosphere with her toxic knowledge.

Sophia's suspicions about Aristide’s much younger second wife, Brenda, deepen. Evidence suggests that Brenda played a direct role in administering the fatal injections, elevating her to a primary suspect.

As Charles delves deeper, he uncovers an unsigned will that leaves Brenda poised to inherit Aristide's wealth. This shocking discovery intensifies the family's tensions and their desperate motivations.

Sophia takes the drastic step of burning the only copy of a manuscript written by Laurence Brown that contains incriminating evidence. This act highlights the chaotic and dangerous environment surrounding Aristide's death.

Josephine finds herself in a precarious situation after a suspicious accident threatens her life, raising the stakes for everyone involved. This event sends Charles into turmoil as he questions his feelings for Sophia.

Tensions reach a climax when it is revealed that Josephine orchestrated a series of events that led to the deaths in their family. Her motives spring from a deep-seated resentment towards her grandfather's cruelty.

In a final act of desperation, Lady Edith sacrifices herself, jumping from a quarry to protect Josephine. This tragic decision encapsulates the destructive legacy of the family's dark secrets.

In the aftermath, Charles finds himself grappling with the loss while comforting Sophia at the edge of the cliff. They are left to process the intricate layers of love, betrayal, and tragedy that have unfolded.