Peril at End House by Agatha Christie Narrator: Hugh Fraser
Series: Hercule Poirot #8
Published by HarperAudio on July 3, 2012 (first published 1932)
Source: Purchased
Genres: Vintage Mystery
Length: 5 hrs 46 mins
Format: Audiobook
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Hercule Poirot is vacationing on the Cornish coast when he meets Nick Buckly. Nick is the young and reckless mistress of End House, an imposing structure perched on the rocky cliffs of St. Loo.
Poirot has taken a particular interest in the young woman who has recently narrowly escaped a series of life-threatening accidents. Something tells the Belgian sleuth that these so-called accidents are more than just mere coincidences or a spate of bad luck. It seems all too clear to him that someone is trying to do away with poor Nick, but who? And, what is the motive? In his quest for answers, Poirot must delve into the dark history of End House. The deeper he gets into his investigation, the more certain he is that the killer will soon strike again. And, this time, Nick may not escape with her life.
Peril at End House is classic Poirot. Lovely Nick doesn’t know her life is in danger until Poirot helpfully points out that her near-accidents were probably not coincidence. But why would any of her friends want her dead? She’s not rich, she’s not mean. Poirot is determined to keep her safe, but that’s easier said than done, especially when another woman is killed, mistaken for Nick.
This was a fun little mystery. The denouement was a good one, a bit unusual for a Poirot mystery. I mean, there was the typical gathering of all the players, but the excuse he uses to bring them together is a good one. The killer doesn’t see the trap he has set at all. (S)he thinks (s)he has everyone fooled. (S)he doesn’t, of course, and there are plenty of clues sprinkled through the book – I just missed them.
About Agatha Christie
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller; 15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English crime novelist, short story writer and playwright. She is best known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around her fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world’s longest-running play, a murder mystery, The Mousetrap, and six romances under the name Mary Westmacott. In 1971 she was elevated to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her contribution to literature.
I couldn’t guess the killer at all in this one!
Yeah, me either. I like that Christie can still surprise me.
I love watching these more than I like reading them…maybe it will be on Acorn TV?
I wish I had Acorn TV.
Carol…I wasn’t sure about it at first but we had that week free trial and it’s like having the best mystery books to watch. They offer one week free trials all of the time.
I know I’d love it, but we already have Netflix because Amber can use our account at school and like the most expensive cable bundle because my husband likes the sports channels.
We are the same way! Den can’t live without the Red Zone…
Christie does it all the time! You never can guess who the killer is.
She does always have a surprise or two up her sleeve.