The Mysterious Mr. Quin by Agatha Christie Narrator: Hugh Fraser
Series: Harley Quin #1
Published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. on July 3, 2012 (first published April 14, 1930)
Source: Library
Genres: Mystery
Length: 8 hrs 49 mins
Format: Audiobook
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It had been a typical New Year's Eve party. But as midnight approaches, Mr. Satterthwaite - a keen observer of human nature - senses that the real drama of the evening is yet to unfold. And so it proves when a mysterious stranger knocks on the door. Who is this Mr. Quin?
Mr. Satterthwaite's new friend is an enigma. He seems to appear and disappear almost like a trick of the light. In fact, the only consistent thing about him is that his presence is always an omen - sometimes good, but sometimes deadly....
The Mysterious Mr. Quin is a collection of short mystery stories, by they’re a slight departure from Christie’s norm. Mr. Satterthwaite, is upper class, single, a man who loves his comforts and is rich enough to afford them. He enjoys life’s dramas, watching rather than participating. Satterthwaite is both the main character and the sidekick. It’s his reasoning and actions that solve the mysteries, but it’s Harley Quin who mysteriously show up at just the right time, asks just the right questions. Mr. Quin is a touch supernatural, he seems to intercede on the behalf of the dead, those whose mysteries still need solved.
These stories are not typical Christie. They’re more romantic, with love often triumphing. They’re a little dreamy, the plots don’t have the precision of Poirot, but the conclusions do seem logical. It’s a good collection, but not necessarily what I’m looking for when I’m picking up a Christie.
And I have to say I like this Harley Quin better than DC’s..
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.
Oooo! This sounds good!
It was good, a little different from Christie’s normal stories. I like Quin though – he’s an interesting character.
I like the romantic dreamy interpretation added to the usual murder spiel of Agatha Christie.
I do wonder if it’s a little like the romances she wrote. I’ve never read any of them.
I didn’t enjoy these as much as her usual style either, but I’d still quite like to hear Hugh Fraser’s narration of them – I’ve become addicted to the audiobooks of him reading Christie!
I agree – I’m really enjoying Hugh Fraser as a narrator.
I don’t think I’ve ever read the synopsis for a Christie book that didn’t sound good.