Towards Zero by Agatha Christie Narrator: Hugh Fraser
Series: Superintendent Battle #5
Published by Harper Audio on July 3, 2012
Source: Library
Genres: Vintage Mystery
Length: 6 hrs 14 mins
Pages: 259
Format: Audiobook
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One of Agatha Christie’s own ten favorite novels, Towards Zero puts Superintendent Battle and Inspector Leach on the case as they investigate the murder of an elderly widow.
What is the connection among a failed suicide attempt, a wrongful accusation of theft against a schoolgirl, and the romantic life of a famous tennis player?
To the casual observer, apparently nothing. But when a house party gathers at Gull’s Point, the seaside home of an elderly widow, earlier events come to a dramatic head. As Superintendent Battle discovers, it is all part of a carefully laid plan—for murder.
One more Christie then I’ll move on to other books for a while. This time around our detective is Superintendent Battle. While he’s not as memorable as Poirot or Marple, he’s a good guy and a solid detective.
The story starts with a variety of seemingly unrelated events. In the prologue, would-be murderer is plotting out a murder right down to the last detail. But then we meet a schoolgirl, Battle’s daughter, who is accused of theft at school, and we hear the story of a man who attempted suicide but was saved and has found a new job, but not happiness. Then there’s the tennis player who is staying at his benefactress’ seaside home with his wife – and his ex-wife. Tensions are elevated and murder becomes inevitable.
We know a lot about the characters before the actual murder takes place, but that didn’t help me solve it.
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.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
I really need to get back to reading her books in order. I challenged myself over ten years ago to do it, and after a strong start, I petered out. Thanks for the inspiration.