Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie Narrator: Hugh Fraser
Series: Hercule Poirot #20
Published by HarperAudio on July 3, 2012 (first published December 19, 1938)
Source: Purchased
Genres: Vintage Mystery, Christmas
Length: 6 hrs 8 mins
Format: Audiobook
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Motives for Murder: A fortune in uncut diamonds, hidden by an eccentric old man. A woman's love, too freely given. A business empire built on ruthlessness. Each of them may have been a motive for the brutal slaying of wealthy old Simeon Lee. Coupled with Lee's family, each member of which hated him and wished to see him dead, they presented Hercule Poirot with a baffling challenge--one which the astute detective solved only through his uncanny ability to see "the little things."
When will these older, wealthy men stop inviting their whole families, most of whom hate them or each other, to Christmas house parties? Simeon Lee is the one who’s done it this time. All his children, a grandchild none of the others know, and an old “friend’s” son, are at the house for Christmas and of course Simeon Lee ends up dead, killed in a locked room. There are plenty of motives, although how was he killed is a good question.
The killer was a surprise to me. I’m not sure we really had enough clues to guess who it was on our own. But it’s a good ending. I do love Christie.
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie Narrator: a full cast
Series: Hercule Poirot
Published by BBC Worldwide on September 10, 2010 (purchased October 24, 1960)
Source: Purchased
Genres: Christmas, Vintage Mystery
Length: 44 mins
Format: Audiobook
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In this delightful tale, an Eastern Prince arrives in England with some family jewels, which he’s having reset as a gift for his fiancée. However, the Prince also has a mistress; she asks to wear one particularly enchanting piece that features a huge ruby, and then promptly disappears with it.
Poirot discovers a connection with a house party at the home of Colonel and Mrs Lacey, and in order to pursue his investigation an invitation is procured for him to the Laceys’, ostensibly to enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas. With deft skill and the workings of his ‘little grey cells’, Poirot brings this case to a satisfying end. Starring John Moffat as Hercule Poirot, with Donald Sinden and Sian Phillips as Colonel and Mrs Lacey.
I also listened to this short story. It’s another Christmas only this time, Poirot already knows what the crime was, a stolen gem. It’s his job to track it down. But he also learns how enjoyable an English Christmas can be. There’s no actual murder in this one, which is unusual for Poirot’s cases.
I’m not a fan of full-cast audios. If this had been a full-length novel, I wouldn’t have chosen the production, but for the short period it wasn’t too bad.
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 really must get back into her works
I’m feeling the opposite, that I’ve been reading too many of them lately.
LOL! Yes dang old men! Stop having family over when you all hate each other
Exactly!!
Anything by Agatha Christie is a comfort read for me
Me too.