Though some diehard Christie fans may be a bit disappointed with the large role played by crime novelist Ariadne Oliver in this mystery, thereby reducing the importance of their favorite, Hercule Poirot, no listener should be even slightly displeased with the narration by reader John Moffatt. He is outstanding as he tells us about how first Oliver, then Poirot, gets immersed in finding the truth about a "double suicide" that occurred 12 years earlier. He handles Poirot's accent and mannerisms perfectly and consistently, even down to the sniff when the great detective meets someone who has not heard of him. Moffatt captures status differences among all sorts of folk, from French nannies to wealthy London dowagers, and uses pauses, laughs and stammers to superb effect.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2012
Duration: 6 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062229779
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Novelist Benet Archdale and housemaid Carol Stratford are two young, single parents who have no reason to know each other. They become tangled in a nightmarish spiral of kidnap, fraud, family violence and death. Ruth Rendell creates psychological suspense in thrillers that are compulsively readable or, in this case, listenable. British actress Imelda Staunton's reading is perfectly paced, and the characters are well defined. You'll have a hard time turning it off.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 9 hrs
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Emerson and Peabody are at it again! Uncovering antiquities takes a back-seat as the romantic archaeologists track down the master criminal who is stealing Egypt's ancient treasures. With the help of their precocious son, Ramses, the intrepid pair unravel this mystery in crowded bazaars, desert camps and the heart of the Black Pyramid. Barbara Rosenblat's reading fully measures up to the tale. She is a master of timing and nuance. Rosenblat's power for character interpretation has grown with each book in this amusing series. This is the best one yet.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 12 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
