57 pages 1 hour read

Agatha Christie

A Pocket Full of Rye

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1953

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Chapters 17-22

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 17 Summary

Neele’s first visit is to the local law firm to establish that Adele did indeed write a will under their auspices. Adele left her then-meager assets to Vivian. Now, however, Neele assumes that Vivian Dubois will inherit the £100,000 left to Adele in her husband’s will.

Neele’s interview with Vivian establishes the other man’s nervousness: He tries to avoid admitting that he spoke to Adele by phone the day of her death and denies being in the house. When Neele suggests that Vivian repeat this denial with an attorney present, he admits to going in search of the letters and realizes that Neele has already seen them. Vivian denies that he or Adele plotted murder, suggesting that Adele’s death proves this. Neele reveals that Vivian is the beneficiary of Adele’s will, implying that he could have killed her for the money or to hide their shared complicity. He adds, however, that Adele’s assets were minimal, which surprises Vivian. It is later revealed that Adele would only receive the full inheritance if she outlived Rex by one month—since she did not, the funds remain in the family.

Neele interviews Gerald Wright. When Neele suggests that it is hypocritical of Gerald to take Elaine’s money now when he despised Rex’s capitalism, Wright asserts that he will use the assets for a social mission.

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