Poirot's Early Cases

These 18 cases were first gathered together in 1974, but they represent the early portion of Agatha Christie's career, as well as Poirot's. David Suchet and Hugh Fraser, who played Belgian detective Hercule Poirot and friend Captain Hastings on TV, do the voice work here. Since they don't switch off within any of the stories, but each does all the voices in a given story, that leaves both Suchet and Fraser doing a more exaggerated voice for Poirot, since Hastings actually does most of the narration in the stories. Otherwise, the reading is excellent, and the more interesting cases offer insights into Poirot's heart as he makes moral choices regarding his findings. J.A.S. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

Be prepared to be charmed by David Suchet and Hugh Fraser reading this collection of 18 Agatha Christie short stories featuring Hercule Poirot. The two actors have for many years starred as Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings in the inimitable BBC specials imported by American public television. They clearly relish the material, however short it may be on plausibility, for they deliver the many pleasures with zest--the complex characters, well-set scenes, interesting villains, and, of course, Hastings and Poirot. Suchet reads most of the stories, and his performance, in particular, is one to treasure. On stage, one might say that he chews up the scenery. On tape, he mesmerizes, creating an unforgettable cast of characters and reading with such a nuanced sense of timing that one sees the action unfold as one listens. His reading is a generous gift to listeners. A.C.S. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine