Hercule Poirot's Christmas

By: Agatha Christie

Libby audiobook 6 hours

Read by:  Hugh Fraser

Published: 1938 (this version 2012)

Genre: murder mystery

 

How delightful to find an Agatha Christie that was not a Tommy and Tuppence and one I've not read before! It was delightful and I did not figure out the murderer before Poirot's "reveal" at the end. 

 

Thanks to Wikipedia (and many other sites that have detailed Christie lore), here's the character list:

Hercule Poirot, the Belgian detective

Colonel Johnson, Chief Constable

Superintendent Sugden, the investigating police officer

Simeon Lee, an old millionaire

Alfred Lee, Simeon's son, who lives with his father

Lydia Lee, Alfred's wife

George Lee, Simeon's son and an MP

Magdalene Lee, George's wife

David Lee, Simeon's son, the artist

Hilda Lee, David's wife

Harry Lee, Simeon's son, called the prodigal son

"Pilar Estravados", Simeon's only granddaughter, really Conchita Lopez

"Stephen Farr", son of Simeon's former business partner, really Stephen Grant

Horbury, Simeon's valet

Tressilian, the butler

Walter, the footman

 

 My notes to add: 

• When I first heard the name of the murdered man, I heard "Simian" and pictured an ape. It was later that I realized it must be "Simeon." But it made me giggle.
• "Pilar" was the daughter of Simeon's only daughter Jennifer, who died earlier.
• I suspected Lydia of the murder . . . sorry if that spoils it for any other readers. I found it fascinating to have all the clues come together at the end. The diamonds, Tressilian's confusion, suspicious behaviors, . . . a wonderful murder mystery story with great vocal work by Fraser.

 

Death on the Nile

by Agatha Christie

Libby audiobook 9:15 hours

read by Kenneth Branagh

Published: 2020 (this recording) / book in 1937

Genre: murder mystery, detective Hercule Poirot

 

 I thought I had read this before, but it was not familiar to me . . . other than the ways it is similar to Murder on the Orient Express. The range of characters, the clues, the interwoven story lines, . . . and of course, Hercule's confident sleuthing.

Lynette Ridgeway is incredibly wealthy. After stealing her best friend's boyfriend, the newlywed honeymooners head to Egypt. I actually considered the true murder suspects before dismissing them. Then I was convinced it was someone else. It was interesting how the story progressed . . . with three murders total. (I would have become incredibly paranoid if I'd been on that boat!)

Branagh's vocal work was fine, but his "female" voices weren't that great. All in all, this kept my attention (even though I like Miss Marple better than Poirot.)

Peril at End House

 by Agatha Christie

eBook on Libby, 396 pages

Published: 1932

genre: murder mystery, Hercule Poirot

I like having a book on my phone, just in case. I love Agatha Christie books, though I prefer Miss Marple to Hercule Poirot. In this story, Hercule is retired but gets drawn into a case when he encounters young "Nick" Buckley, a woman who has had numerous close calls. Her cavalier attitude toward her own safety and the constant refrain of Poirot's losing his touch made for an interesting but not necessarily enjoyable story. I didn't figure it out. I didn't love it as much as other Christie mysteries.