The ABC Murders

Hugh Fraser will be familiar to listeners from the excellent PBS "Mystery" adaptations of Hercule Poirot novels in which he played the intrepid Hastings. Consequently, he makes a wonderful narrator here. These Audio Editions Mysteries cannot be recommended highly enough for quality of material and great performances at affordable prices. In this complicated maze of a mystery, people are dying in alphabetical order. Poirot knows there must be a method to this madness and digs deep to uncover a motive. Fraser is perfection itself at painting the tiny portraits of diverse individuals. Christie ties the whole canvas together to tell a complete story. To enter a world she has created is to escape your own for at least awhile, and, as is the case with any great vacation, you'll be longing for the next time you can get away . . . with murder. D.G. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

Retired Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is drawn into investigating a series of murders that follow the alphabet, based on victim and town names, with an "ABC" guide found near each body. Though brief, this adaptation, originally for BBC Radio, captures the novel quite thoroughly. Typically, the acting of the ensemble cast is capable or better; the sound effects professional and unobtrusive. As Poirot, John Moffatt exhibits the detective's idiosyncrasies without making him a caricature, keeping him likable, engaging, and even, at times, someone to take seriously. The presentation enhances its material: It's entertaining enough to keep the listener's mind off the implausible nature of the crime, once it's revealed. W.M. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine