Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie Narrator: Hugh Fraser
Series: Hercule Poirot #39
Published by HarperAudio on July 3, 2012 (first published 1969)
Source: Library
Genres: Vintage Mystery
Length: 6 hrs 27 mins
Format: Audiobook
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At a Hallowe’en party, Joyce—a hostile thirteen-year-old—boasts that she once witnessed a murder. When no one believes her, she storms off home. But within hours her body is found, still in the house, drowned in an apple-bobbing tub.
That night, Hercule Poirot is called in to find the 'evil presence.' But first he must establish whether he is looking for a murderer or a double murderer.
Yes, I’m reading too many Agatha Christie’s lately. No, I don’t care. It’s October and Hallowe’en Party was “available now” at the library, so I picked it up.
This time Hercule Poirot is called to the case by an old friend, Ariadne Oliver. Ariadne is staying with a friend in Woodleigh Common and was at a Halloween party where a thirteen year-old girl, Joyce, was murdered. Ariadne is a famous mystery author and Joyce had been trying to impress her earlier in the day by telling her that she had witnessed a murder. The theory then is that the girl was killed by the person who she saw kill someone years earlier.
We get to meet a bunch of the villagers and a couple of the older kids. I think the killer in this one was a little easy to guess, even if the motive was a little wonky. The kids make it a little tough, telling lies, being gullible, thinking they are more mature than they are.
There was a lot in this one about “those young folks” and how terrible society is becoming. There is a lot of discussion about sex crimes committed by “mentally retarded” people, even though, thankfully, there isn’t one in the novel. Christie is usually better than this, but a not-so-great Christie is still enjoyable. And I do adore Poirot.
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 don’t think you could every read too many Agatha Christie books. But you are making me want to read some more of them 🙂
I’ve been actually listening to the audios. There are really good to do chores and take walks with.
I agree, most of my books this year have been audios.
I still call the, “reading” though. I’m just curious, do other people too?
I do.
I need to read more. I’ve only read a couple
I have to admit I love vintage mysteries.