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The Big Four: A Hercule Poirot Mystery (Mystery Masters)
 
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The Big Four: A Hercule Poirot Mystery (Mystery Masters) [Audiobook, CD, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Agatha Christie (Author), Hugh Fraser (Narrator)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)


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Book Description

November 30, 2004 Mystery Masters
When a man collapses at Poirot’s door, he implicates a vicious international organization called the Big Four. Left in the care of Poirot’s landlady, the man dies, and the dapper sleuth realizes this crime may be a deadly diversion. Poirot and his pal Captain Hastings are soon plunged into a complex case full of deception as they themselves dodge death. But do they really avoid the Grim Reaper? Hastings isn’t sure when he’s invited to Poirot’s funeral. Reader Hugh Fraser captures Christie’s "cozy mystery" world with his usual panache.

This is the 24th title in the Agatha Christie Mystery Masters series, deemed the Best Mystery Series of the 20th Century at Bouchercon, the world’s largest mystery convention (held annually). Eccentric and fastidious, egocentric and precise, the little Belgian detective with his sparkling eyes and carefully waxed moustache looks, to the uninitiated, ridiculous. Yet he is one of the most popular characters in all of literature Plump, barely over five feet, four inches tall, the vain Poirot is nevertheless eternally dignified, and always wears formal clothes, down to gleaming white spats and up to his jaunty bowler. He solves murders using, as he insists, nothing but his little grey cells.



Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

One of mystery fiction's most beloved heroes, Hercule Poirot, is brought vividly to life in this delightful audio production. Originally published in 1927, this outing thrusts Poirot into one of Christie's most outlandish and melodramatic adventures. It finds her Belgian detective pitted against an international quartet of criminal masterminds bent on world domination. Narrator Fraser is no stranger to Poirot's world, having played the detective's faithful companion, Captain Hastings, in several made-for-TV movies. A gifted reader, he obviously enjoys interpreting this material, and he perfectly captures each of Christie's diverse characters, shifting flawlessly from one to the other. But it is in his portrayal of Poirot that Fraser shines. With a well-tuned accent, Fraser brings out the full range of Christie's eccentric detective. This mystery may not be Christie's best, but with its over-the-top premise and international cast of villains, portrayed with relish by Fraser, it is certainly one of her most entertaining. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From AudioFile

Hugh Fraser, best known as Captain Hastings on the "Mystery" dramatizations of the Poirot novels, here does double duty as Hastings and the little Belgian sleuth as they track down a quartet of ruthless criminals scheming for world domination, which includes death for Poirot. Even though Fraser is accustomed to playing Hastings, there's not a drop of Hastings in his Poirot, nor in his masterful portrayals of Japp, Poirot's Scotland Yard sidekick, or the hilarious but tragic Cockney heroine, Flossie. While this is over-the-top Christie, with its talk of the A-bomb and lasers (incredible since the book was copyrighted in 1927), Fraser brings to it logic and credibility. M.T.B. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

  • Audio CD
  • Publisher: AudioGO; Unabridged edition (November 30, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1572704322
  • ISBN-13: 978-1572704329
  • Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #377,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
One of Christie's Finest January 1, 2006
This is absolutely one of Christie's best Poirot mysteries. The CD is read by Hugh Fraser, who does a wonderful job and is very easy to listen to.

The plot includes many close shaves with capture and death for both Poirot and Hastings, while they attempt to track down a gang of ruthless criminals headed by four leaders who are attempting to take over the world.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
poirot--hercule poirot January 14, 2007
THE BIG FOUR would seem to be a response to the James Bond craze of the 60s, where every hero had to be a spy and every villain had to be trying to rule the world. How odd to know that this book preceded James Bond by about 30 years! No, the plot is not credible, but who cares? Poirot and Hastings get to save the world! And we meet Hercule's identical twin brother, Achille! Don't be too critical. Just read this book and enjoy.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
Agatha Christie Audio CD (BOOKS ON TAPE) are absolutely wonderful . I have purchased all of mine from Amazon.com and will be purchasing more in the future from Amazon. Her Mysteries of Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot and other characters are absolutely wonderful . When listening on CD with head-phones on and your eyes closed you start an unbelievable journey every time . If you love Great Mysteries you have to buy these , you'll love every exciting minute of these("SITTING ON THE EDGE OF YOUR CHAIR") stories ! If you want the best price , look no furter than Amazon.com as they have the best prices I have ever seen on these wonderful CD series . You can buy with Confidence and Trust from Amazon , there the Best. Sincerely, Pat Simmons
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