Midwinter Murder

By Agatha Christie

Libby audiobook 10 hours

Read by Fenella Woolgar

Published:1920s - 1950s

Genre: Murder mystery short stories

 

This was okay but the common threads were Christie and winter. Who knew it snowed so much in England?! (Many of the plot lines dealt with people being snowed in.) Sometimes they were Poirot or Marple stories and sometimes there were other "detectives." Since they were short stories, my head has a jumble of characters, clues, and plots. It kept my attention during many hours of driving! 

<Above posted 2022. Below added 8.18.2025.>

I started blogging this but didn't save it! Arrgh. Helpful info from Goodreads. There are probably lots of ***spoilers*** below!

Introduction / Christmas at Abney Hall - I loved hearing about Agatha Christie's childhood! This was such a fun look into her life and storytelling.

Story #1 - Three Blind Mice - young couple / boarders / snowed in / dead woman in London / dead person at boarding house / detective shows up on skis . . . retribution for war crimes done to three young siblings. (Later made into play the Mousetrap.)

Story #2 - The Chocolate Box - Poirot is sharing about his one "mistake" in a case. I don't remember details now, but I do remember that poison was administered via a chocolate and there were two boxes with different colored lids.

Story #3 - A Christmas Tragedy - Miss Marple! Storytelling . . . Mrs. Bantry, Colonel Bantry, Sir James, . . . She knew that Mr. Sanders was going to murder his wife. The outfit / hat tipped her off about his alibi.

 

Story #4 - The Coming of Mr. Quin - New Year's Eve, big house. Mr. Satterthwait (not fond of big groups of young people). Listener . . . "play" and "parts" . . . Harley Quin (play on words with Harlequin) . . . how the house went from its previous owner to the current owner. Suicide? Or Murder?

Story #5 - The Clergyman's Daughter / The Red House - Tuppence & Tommy, the "poltergeist" and the potatoes buried in the garden.

Story #6 - The Plymouth Express - Poirot / Flossie murdered the maid . . . I honestly don't remember this story very well.

Story #7 - The Problem at Pollensa Bay - Mr. Parker Pine - renowned but on vacation. Mrs. Chester upset that her momma's boy Basil wants to marry Betty who is too modern. Parker basically pranks the situation with a ringer. Fun story.

Story #8 - Sanctuary - Julian (pastor) and Bunch (his wife / her nickname) - man dies in church. Jane Marple consulted. "Jewel" - Jill. Suitcase, costumes and jewelry, train, double trick . . .

Story #9 - The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge - Poirot. Uncle shot in locked room. Police can't prove case against nephew and niece. They inherit and karma gets them soon after. Fake housekeeper.

Story #10 - The World's End - Mr. Satterthwait, duchess (rich but cheap and rude and bossy), Naomi (artist), etc. Actress / necklace / box / innocent man jailed.

Story #11 - The Manhood of Edward Robinson - Maude (fiancee) and Edward (pushover). Prize money - car - road trip - diamond necklace - Edward's adventure.

Story #12 - Christmas Adventure - Poirot. Young people / generational divide. Ruby necklace, pretend death, etc.