Hello crime readers and food lovers! Today we are dining on a Castilian leg of lamb as we uncover the evil machinations of a shady group of evildoers known as The Big Four. This is certainly not my favourite of the books I have read so far as the plot seemed a little silly in parts. However one of the early stories significantly involves a leg of lamb This seemed like a great excuse for a roast dinner and the meal did not disappoint!
The Big Four- The Plot
This novel pits Hercule Poirot against four evil genius’ bent on world domination – they are an American – the richest man in the world, a female French scientist, the Chinese leader of the group – a criminal genius and “the Destroyer” the group’s assassin who is also a master of disguise and (wait for it) a British actor.
We have:
- Sinister cabals
- Poisoned curries
- Poisoned grandmasters
- Hijinks on trains
- Stolen radium
- Secret lairs under mountains
- Twin brothers
- Telltale tics
- And, course Hercule Poirot (or is it twin brother Achilles?) using his little grey cells to thwart the villains and their evil plans.
The Covers
Given that we are talking about the Big Four – I’m showing four covers today. The third from the left is the one I read but I am rather taken by all the others.
The Recipe – Castilian Leg of Lamb
The recipe comes from the wonderful Keith Floyd and his journey through Spain – not in the search of arch criminals but in search of some damn fine nosh!
You can find the recipe here. You can also watch the entire series of Keith Floyd’s adventures in Spain on YouTube. Floyd is so engaging it is well worth investing the time.
In his hand he was brandishing a leg of mutton! “My dear Poirot!” I cried “What is the matter? Have you suddenly gone mad?”
“Regard, I pray you , this mutton. But regard it closely!”
I regarded it as closely as I could but could see nothing unusual about it. It seemed to me to be a very ordinary leg of mutton.”
Agatha Christie, The Big Four
Other Food Mentioned in The Big Four
- Eggs and bacon (and Devonshire Cider)
- Whisky and Soda
- Curry
- Soup
- Creamy Coffee
- Haricots Vert
Have a wonderful week! Next book in the list is The Mystery of the Blue Train from 1928.
