Audiobook Review: The Tuesday Night Club by Agatha Christie

Author: Agatha Christie
Narrator: Mark Bowen

Title: The Tuesday Night Club

Series: Miss Marple #SS 1

Genre: Mystery, Short Story, Classic
Format: Audiobook

Published: 1927
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library


Summary: 

A weekly gathering of murder mystery fans. Each week one of them challenges the rest of the group with a new mystery. Who can rise to the challenge?

And now for the first difficult case that comes to the Tuesday Night Club. The story begins with a dinner. After a supper of canned lobster and a dessert of trifle, three people became ill and one of them, Mrs. Jones, died. A bout of botulism was suspected but could it have been more than that?

Sir Henry Clithering, the former head of Scotland Yard, recounts it all to the club assembled at Miss Marple's house in St. Mary Mead. The group are keen to delve deeper as he asks whether any of them can resolve it. In the corner sat Miss Marple, knitting and listening.

Review:

I'm a terrible AC fan......I've never read any of the Miss Marple (that I can remember). EEE. Oops. 

Each week, this group of murder-mystery fans takes on a new mystery. The first difficult case lands on their lap....after supper, three people became ill, and one of them died. Who? How? Why? Everyone has their opinions, but who is right?

We all know the answer....Miss Marple will be the one to solve it. LOL, but I loved the format of this lil short story. She was fun! I want more time with her to really fall for her as I have with Hercule. BUT it was a nice intro to this unlikely hero. 

The mystery was nice and so complicated that it had such a simple solution. 

The narrator did well. I would listen to more if he did the voices for more.

Overall, quick, nice, and an interesting mystery. I want more. 

4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #41

- Library Love #25

Audiobook Review: Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie

Author: Agatha Christie

Narrator: Hugh Fraser
Title: Hercule Poirot's Christmas

Series: Hercule Poirot #20

Genre: Mystery, Classics, Thriller
Format: Audiobook
Published: December 19, 1938
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

In Hercule Poirot's Christmas, the holidays are anything but merry when a family reunion is marred by murder — and the notoriously fastidious investigator is quickly on the case. The wealthy Simeon Lee has demanded that all four of his sons — one faithful, one prodigal, one impecunious, one sensitive — and their wives return home for Christmas. But a heartwarming family holiday is not exactly what he has in mind. He bedevils each of his sons with barbed insults and finally announces that he is cutting off their allowances and changing his will. Poirot is called in the aftermath of Simeon Lee's announcement.

Review:

What better to read during Xmas then a murder? Love me some Poirot!!!!

Hercule is on the case! For this family, the holidays are no longer holly and jolly. This family reunion is marred by a murder. Lots of suspects and lots of motives because the wealthy head of the family announced he was changing his will. 

I felt like I had read this because things seemed SO familiar. Which is okay. It was nice revisiting one I had read forever ago. I thought I remembered who the murdered was, but I pleasantly re-surprised. Gasp!

I did remember one big twist so that was nice ;) I still didn't like this particular twist. I won't spoil anything. 

This was a lovely listen. The narrator did a lovely job. 

What a way to end the year! Love this author and def recommend Hercule. 

4 stars for me. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #65

- Library Love #34

Audiobook Review: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Author: Agatha Christie

Narrator: Dan Stevens

Title: And Then There Were None

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Format: Audiobook 

Published: November 6, 1939

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

 Ten people, each with something to hide and something to fear, are invited to an isolated mansion on Indian Island by a host who, surprisingly, fails to appear. On the island they are cut off from everything but each other and the inescapable shadows of their own past lives. One by one, the guests share the darkest secrets of their wicked pasts. And one by one, they die… Which among them is the killer and will any of them survive?

Review:

Not sure how I didn't know about this one. I guess this is one of her popular ones? 

Ten people are brought together by a host who fails to appear. They are stranded on on this island in an isolated mansion. There is no escape. They are stranded with each other and with their wicked pasts. One by one...they die. Who among them is the killer? Will anyone survive to tell the tale?

Slow to start, but it was worth it. By the end you didn't want to stop. 

There are 10 people who all did something bad in the past. Some not so bad, but all bad pasts and it seems they are being punished by someone on the island. 

I had zero idea who and why. Is it one of them? Is there someone hiding and striking? I had no idea. 

The ending was really good and I actually gasped. 

The narrator did a good job. The voices all sounded very similar so I had to really pay attention. I think if I was to read this again one day (and I might) I may try an ebook or physical book. 

Overall, I'll give this 4 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): no one...they all were bad

Least Favorite Character(s): All 10 of them. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #37

- Cloak & Dagger #23

- Library Love #24

Book Review: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Author: Agatha Christie

Title: Murder on the Orient Express

Series: Hercule Poirot #10

Genre: Mystery, Classics

Format: ebook

Pages: 256

Published: January 1, 1934

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

A luxurious journey aboard the Orient Express turns into a race against time when a murder is committed. Detective Hercule Poirot interrogates the suspects during a long stop in the mountains of Yugoslavia.

Review:

I read this gem many, many, MANY years ago. I watched the movie when it came out, but again...my brain barely remembers the details. I remember the big reveal (because how could you not) but the details or so forth? Nope. 

Hercule Poirot finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation while aboard the Orient Express. It is a race against time before they reach their final destination. Lots of suspects, lots of motives...

This one is just so clever. I loved the way each chapter played out and seeing Hercule interview each of the suspects was so entertaining. 

I may remember the conclusion, but it is so so so thrilling watching Hercule pull it all together. So many little hints and tips that I caught on knowing the conclusion. 

I enjoy Hercule and his stories so much. They are entertaining and Hercule may not be the most humble of creatures, but he deserves his arrogance. 

What else to say? You don't have to read these books in order and you could read this one and enjoy it. But going back to some older books have made me appreciate Hercule a little more. 

5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Bouc

Least Favorite Character(s): Ratchett

 Challenge(s):

- Library Love #23

- Cloak & Dagger #20

Blodeuedd's Monday: The Mystery of the Spanish Chest by Agatha Christie

A Hercule Poirot Short Story

By: Agatha Christie

Narrated by: Hugh Fraser

Length: 1 hr and 25 mins

Release date: 06-11-20

Publisher: HarperCollins

Categories: Literature & Fiction

I had 1 day left of my audio subscription and it is so difficult to find things there so...yes I went with Agatha Christie again. Short and nice.

A man found dead in a chest while a party was going on. Oh and he did not attend the party. Who killed him?

Poirot gets interested in the story and solves the case!

Nice and short

Previously published in the print anthology The Adventure of The Christmas Pudding

Major Hastings and Hercule Poirot are not interested in the mystery of the Spanish Chest, which has been reported in the papers so often that it seems to be an entirely closed case. But, when Hastings persuades Poirot to attend a fabulous party given by Lady Chatterton, they discover someone sequestered upstairs who is desperate for their help. Will the contents of a dead man’s pockets reveal to the inscrutable eye of Hercule Poirot who the culprit is?

Audiobook Review: Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie

Author: Agatha Christie

Narrator: Richard Armitage

Title: Poirot Investigates

Series: Hercule Poirot #3

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Classic, Short stories, Anthology

Format: Audiobook

Published: March 1, 1924

Where I got It: Audible 

Summary: 

First there was the mystery of the film star and the diamond... then came the “suicide” that was murder... the mystery of the absurdly cheap flat...a suspicious death in a locked gun room... a million dollar bond robbery... the curse of a pharaoh’s tomb... a jewel robbery by the sea... the abduction of a prime minister... the disappearance of a banker... a phone call from a dying man... and, finally, the mystery of the missing will.

What links these fascinating cases? Only the brilliant deductive powers of Hercule Poirot!

Review: 

This is a collection of mini mysteries that Poirot takes on. I remember reading a couple of these years and years ago, but it'll be fun to re-read those and to read some of the others!

We'll divide and conquer these. 

1) The Adventure of 'The Western Star'

I had read this little one years ago. So I remembered, slightly, what happened. The mystery was slightly obvious, but it is good. I think I liked this more than when I first read it. 4 stars. 

2) The Tragedy of Marsdon Manor

The ending and resolution of this one was clever!!!! Loved it. Such a nice mystery and it feels that Poirot is coming into his own. This should be made into a movie (or at least a part of the movie). 5 stars. 

3) The Adventure of the Cheap Flat

Eh. I feel like this was the weakest of them all. It was still intriguing in its own way, but meh. I found my attention drifting during this one. What even happened at the end? I can't remember.....*googles* oh, yes. Okay. 2 stars. 

4) The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge

Shoot. I didn't right down my thoughts about this (or type it up). Mmmm. Forgettable I guess. I don't remember a thing. Shouldn't I remember SOMETHING even though I didn't write any notes?1 star

5) The Million Dollar Bond Robbery

Oooooo Hercule. So clever. So NOT humble. I love it. This was a fun one. The ending and solution was a little on the nose. 4 stars

6) The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb

I think this is one of my favorites of the whole collection. Cool location, neat crime, great solution....5 stars yes

7) The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan

A cute gem! I liked this one a lot. 5 stars as well. 

8) The Kidnapped Prime Minister

Eh. This started of great but the solution was meh. Sort of anti-climatic. And honestly? Predictable in one way. It was still enjoyable for the majority of the time.  3 stars

9) The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim

Oh!!!! I remember this one! I struggled a little bit back then but I liked this one much more now. 4 stars. 

10) The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman

This was okay. I just wish it was longer. The solution seemed easily resolved. 3 stars

11) The Case of the Missing Will

Fun. I enjoyed this one. A nice conclusion. 4 stars. 

12) The Veiled Lady

Mmmmmm. I barely remember this one and I was just listening to it. 2 stars

13) The Lost Mine

Another just okay one. I think it needed more time to marinate. 3 stars 

14) The Chocolate Box

Awwww I liked this one. It was a nice ending to this collection. It went back to when our boy was a...well....boy. He was young and just getting into being a detective. The ending was great. 5 stars. 

Overall/Narrator

This was overall a lot of fun. The narrator is fantastic of course. Some greats...some misses. Overall it was totally worth it if you like Hercule and his mysteries. 

*does complicated math* I'll give this 3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Entertaining

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #54

Audiobook Review: The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie

Author: Agatha Christie

Narrator: Richard Armitage

Title: The Murder on the Links

Series: Hercule Poirot #2

Genre: Murder Mystery, Thriller, Classic

Format: Audiobook

Published: January 1, 1923

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

When Hercule Poirot and his associate Arthur Hastings arrive in the French village of Merlinville-sur-Mer to meet their client Paul Renauld, they learn from the police that he has been found that morning stabbed in the back with a letter opener and left in a newly-dug grave adjacent to a local golf course.

Among the plausible suspects are Renauld's wife Eloise, his son Jack, Renauld's immediate neighbor Madame Daubreuil, the mysterious "Cinderella" of Hasting's recent acquaintance, and some unknown visitor of the previous day--all of whom Poirot has reason to suspect. Poirot's powers of investigation ultimately triumph over the wiles of an assailant whose misdirection and motives are nearly--but not quite--impossible to spot.

Review:

Been for sure itching to read some Poirots lately! Especially after learning Richard Armitage did some narration for the series ;) There is something about his voice and performance that is amazing. 

Poirot and Hastings arrive in Merlinville-sur-Mer to meet their client. However, when they arrive they learn that their client was literally stabbed in the back with a letter opener. There are a few plausible suspects which include his wife, his son, their neighbor, and more. The two will have to dig and figure out who committed the murder. They will soon learn that not everything is as it seems. 

It is so interesting seeing some of the early works of the series. 

Love Poirot so much. He's a gem. 

Hastings is on my last nerve. His whole romance is silly. However, I did adore that Poirot is secretly a romantic and matchmaker. Adorable, but Hastings? Ugh. 

There was a character I actually ended up really, really liking...especially after a certain scene. Adorable. 

The mystery was fantastic. I really had no idea!!! Twist, after twist. So good. 

The narrator was Richard Armitage? Should I even say more? LOL 

All-in-all, Hastings was annoying but it didn't ruin the story fully for me. Good mystery. Poirot is great. And I was surprised by the end! 4 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Twisty

Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #30

- Cloak and Dagger - #16

Audiobook Review: The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

Author: Agatha Christie

Narrator: Richard Armitage

Title: The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Series: Hercule Poirot #1

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Classic

Format: Audiobook

Published: January 1, 1920

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Agatha Christie's debut novel was also the first to feature Hercule Poirot, her famously eccentric Belgian detective.

A refugee of the Great War, Poirot has settled in England near Styles Court, the country estate of his wealthy benefactor, the elderly Emily Inglethorp. When Emily is poisoned and the authorities are baffled, Poirot puts his prodigious sleuthing skills to work. Suspects are plentiful, including the victim’s much younger husband, her resentful stepsons, her longtime hired companion, a young family friend working as a nurse, and a London specialist on poisons who just happens to be visiting the nearby village.

All of them have secrets they are desperate to keep, but none can outwit Poirot as he navigates the ingenious red herrings and plot twists

Review:

Been itching to read some Agatha Christie...it has literally been years! Last time I read one was in the early 2000s....High School time....dang. I've read a handful, but I never read them all. There are just SOOO many. Soooo I decided to start from the beginning. 

Poirot has settled in England after the Great War. He is settled in near Styles Court who belongs to his wealthy benefactor Emily Inglethrop. When Emily is poisoned and the authorities are baffled because everyone is suspicious and have motives, but all of them have alibis, Poirot is called in to crack the case. 

Not that this was bad, but you can tell this is her debut story especially after reading ones MUCH later in the series. However, it was fun seeing Poirot at his creation. You can tell she has a lot of plans for this poor man. 

The mystery was good and I was absolutely unsure of who did it. They all had motive but no real evidence to link anyone 100% to the crime. Lots and lots of red herrings littering the place. 

The ending did drag on a bit and it took everything I had to focus up. The mystery dragged on a bit too much. I would've preferred more time with interviews and looking around. 

The narration was fun! It was done by the famous Richard Armitage! Eee! Adorable. He was fantastic. Loved all his voices. I'm glad I decided to try this version of audio. 

All-in-all, a nice intro into Poirot. Not necessary to read the books in order, but it was nice seeing where it all began. The mystery was good and I had no idea! Nicely stumped there ;) But the ending did drag a touch. I'll give this 3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Mysterious

Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #24

- Cloak and Dagger - #14

B's Monday Review: Sing a Song of Sixpence by Agatha Christie

By: Agatha Christie

Narrated by: Hugh Fraser

Length: 37 mins

Release date: 01-21-21

Publisher: HarperCollins

Storytel.fi/ mystery

So the text at storytel did not say anything about Pelliser. I thought this was a Marple one. But eh, the guy solved the crime pretty quickly.

A short who did it. It had to be someone in the house. And he solved it. The end

Good narration. Very British and fitting

Retired Scotland Yard detective Sir Edward Palliser is called upon by Magdalen Vaughan to help solve the murder of her wealthy, eccentric aunt, Miss Lily Crabtree. The authorities believe only members of the household could have committed the crime, and this suspicion is tearing the family apart. Who really killed Lily's aunt?

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Triangle at Rhodes by Agatha Christie

A Hercule Poirot Short Story

By: Agatha Christie

Narrated by: Hugh Fraser

Series: Hercule Poirot Mysteries

Length: 49 mins

Release date: 10-14-21

Historical mystery/storytel.fi

I do prefer Marple, but always when I look for short stories Christie is the only thing that shows up, and I liked the cover for this Poirot one, oh well.

It was short. Well narrated. A voice a bit too soothing though, not so good when you are sleepy.

I wish my audio subscription site had an easier way too look for short stories, or had more! I always come back to these

This electric short story begins in October on the island of Rhodes, a veritable paradise of privacy, beauty and calm, or so Hercule Poirot has imagined.

The reality is quite startlingly different. The idyll is disturbed by the arrival of famed Chanel beauty Valentine Chantry, and a ripple of malice is felt across the island. Captivated by her wiles and immaculate good looks, one young married man falters, closely watched by Valentine’s brooding husband and the watchful eye of Poirot.

Amidst the heady pink gins and close quarters, Poirot senses that someone has murder in their heart, and he guesses right....

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Murder in the Mews by Agatha Christie

Murder in the Mews

A Hercule Poirot Short Story

By: Agatha Christie

Narrated by: Nigel Hawthorne

Length: 2 hrs and 2 mins

Release date: 11-11-21

From storytel.fi/Historical fiction crime

It was short. I had 2 hours left of my Book site subscription and short ones are hard to find so I went with Agatha Christie.

I do seem to prefer the Miss Marple shorts than Poirot. She is clever in another way.

Not much to say, it was a short one. A woman took her own life or did she? And if not then who did?

Good narration

Inspector Japp summons Poirot to a London house where Guy Fawkes Night fireworks appear to have drowned out the noise of a young widow shooting herself through her left temple. But the pistol is in her right hand, and the police are convinced that this must be a case of murder....

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: A Christmas Tragedy by Agatha Christie

A Miss Marple Short Story

By: Agatha Christie

Narrated by: Joan Hickson

Series: Miss Marple

Length: 38 mins

Release date: 12-09-21

Short story/bookbeat.fi

A short story in audio about Miss Marple telling a story about a man she was sure would kill his wife, but he had an alibi.

It was short yes, but it was a good story she told and I wondered how he had done it

Good narration

Whilst dining at the Bantrys, Miss Marple is asked to tell a murder mystery. She recounts the time she could tell from a man’s behaviour that he was planning to kill his wife. But at the time of the murder he had a perfect alibi…

Book Review: The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding - The Theft of The Royal Ruby

Author: Agatha Christie

Title: The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding - The Theft of The Royal Ruby

Genre: Short story, Mystery, Fiction, Classic
Format: ebook

Published:  October 24th 1960

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Asked to investigate an incident that needs to be dealt with discretion, Poirot reluctantly agrees to spend Christmas in the countryside with the Laceys. Dreading the cold and traditional English fare Poirot attempts to locate a missing ruby in order to save a kingdom…

Review:

Oh goodness...when was the last time I read an Agatha Christie book? Years....before I started blogging. So a million years ago. Yes. The amazing thing with this "series" is that there really is no need to read in order. I have read probably 3 or 4 in my lifetime...and I do not feel like I am missing anything. 

Hercule Poirot finds himself in the English country with a nice English family for Xmas. Not for holiday mind you. But to try and find the missing ruby in order to save a kingdom.

This was originally part of an anthology of Xmas adventures poor Hercule as to deal with. I'll have to track down the others (Maybe just find the overall anthology) and read them all. Poor guy can't even have the holidays off. 

This was quick and fun overall for sure. I did get annoyed with those kids. Idiots but it all ties in with the whole story though...so it worked. 

I love Hercule. He is for sure someone I would love to meet if he was real. Maybe he could teach me how to be awesome too. 

But yes, this was a nice short Xmas mystery. I'll have to read the others. 

I'll stamp this with 4 stars.