Murder at the Vicarage & The Mysterious Affair at Styles

By: Agatha Christie

Narrated by: Richard E. Grant, Hugh Fraser

Length: 14 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

TWO BESTSELLING MYSTERIES IN ONE GREAT PACKAGE!

THE MURDER AT THE VICARAGE

The Murder at the Vicarage is Agatha Christie’s first mystery to feature the beloved investigator Miss Marple—as a dead body in a clergyman’s study proves to the indomitable sleuth that no place, holy or otherwise, is a sanctuary from homicide.

Miss Marple encounters a compelling murder mystery in the sleepy little village of St. Mary Mead, where under the seemingly peaceful exterior of an English country village lurks intrigue, guilt, deception and death.

Colonel Protheroe, local magistrate and overbearing land-owner is the most detested man in the village. Everyone—even in the vicar—wishes he were dead. And very soon he is—shot in the head in the vicar's own study. Faced with a surfeit of suspects, only the inscrutable Miss Marple can unravel the tangled web of clues that will lead to the unmasking of the killer.

THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES

Hercule Poirot solves his first case in the Agatha Christie novel that started it all, now in a fully restored edition that features a “missing chapter” along with commentary from Christie expert John Curran.

Who poisoned the wealthy Emily Inglethorp and how did the murderer penetrate and escape from her locked bedroom? Suspects abound in the quaint village of Styles St. Mary—from the heiress's fawning new husband to her two stepsons, her volatile housekeeper, and a pretty nurse who works in a hospital dispensary.

With impeccable timing, and making his unforgettable debut, the brilliant Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is on the case.

©1930 Agatha Christie Ltd. (P)2002 HarperCollins Publishers

Great books by the Mistress of Mystery

I would've given these five stars, but for the skipping in the last few chapters of the Poirot story. I assume this was due to a defect in the medium from which the tale was transferred to digital format. The Poirot story written in 1920 and the Marple story written in 1930 bear a resemblance in their end results, but I don't want to give any spoilers. The most enjoyable part of the Marple story to me was that the vicar was initially put forward as the detective protagonist, but as the story progressed, it became clear even to the vicar that a more cunning mind, that of the unassuming Ms. Marple, was to be the one to solve the mystery. The strength of the Poirot story by comparison seems to me to have been in the interweaving of more subtle and intricate details that only the fastidious and brilliant Belgian detective could align in such a way as to solve the mystery. Both stories originate from the greatest author ever to write mysteries, Agatha Christie, and I look forward to listening to more of her works on Audible.

Love these stories!

The stories are fantastic, but the narrator on the first story was very difficult to understand.

Agatha Christie for the Win

The Murder at the Vicarage is a very good story. very interesring, and I think it was weel read. However, it should be noted that the reader (Joan) read this book like a bedtime story by Grandma. There were no voices, and sometimes I was a bit confused at which character was speaking or doing what. But the readers voice was perfect for Miss. Marple, and there was comfort in hearing it. I do not think her performance took away from the story.

The Mysterious Murder at Styles is a great story and the reader did a great job of reading it by breathing life into the characters through different voices. I enjoyed listening to both books. ♡

1st of each series

Each story in the volume is the 1st appearance of the well Miss Marple and M. Poirot. If the stories are new to you then get comfortable and listen. If old favorites they are well done voice actors already known for playing Miss Marple and Capt. Hastings for the BBC. I suddenly have to travel to outlying offices. It had been many years since I had read these particular stories and they kept me focused during the drive better than music would have. Mrs. Christie's stories are always a delite.

Narrated by Hickson and Fraser

NB: the description is incorrect; Murder at the Vicarage, a Marple story, is narrated by Joan Hickson, not Richard Grant. Hickson’s performance is excellent, but I was expecting—and had wanted—Grant. Hugh Fraser is also excellent narrating Mysterious Affair at Styles, the first outing for Poirot and Hastings together, set in a country home during the Great War.

Love Joan Hickson, but...

It is a little awkward for her voice to be the first person vicar in Murder at the Vicaridge. Still 5 stars

Excellent Narration, Good Stories

Joan Hickson and Hugh Fraser are excellent narrators who deliver their performance with interest and complexity.

If you’ve already seen the Marple and Poirot movies/TV shows starring them, it can be a little disconcerting hearing them play characters other than their own—but that only lasts for the first chapter or so.

The stories themselves are perfectly fun. Not the best Marple or Poirot stories out there, but still well worth spending the time.

Fun with purpose

What made the experience of listening to 'Murder at the Vicarage' & 'The Mysterious Affair at Styles' the most enjoyable?

Both had some twists and interesting characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of 'Murder at the Vicarage' & 'The Mysterious Affair at Styles'?

In the second book, Poirot allowed John to be put on trial for murdering his stepmother though he knew John hadn't done it - Poirot did this because he knew this extreme adversity would draw together John and his estranged wife making them realize they really did care for one another despite drifting apart over the years.

Which scene was your favorite?

Village anthropology shows when one of the tea group talks about the poor she just visited clearly stating they did not want her in their houses. Miss Marple wishes she could be so frank but lets the reader know that she can't say it due to her "social standing". Read and learn, I thought to my outspoken self.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

In the 2nd book, Poirot shows what a decent fellow he is by not constantly evaluating the situation though he is far ahead right from the start.

Any additional comments?

I was really thrown in the first book by 1) a woman reading the male narrator, 2) the reader who plays Miss Marple on PBS reading it - I kept thinking I was listening to Miss Marple narrating and had to remind myself several times that she wasn't reading as Miss Marple. I finally caught on and enjoyed both of these tales very much

Listening to this on our Honeymoon...

...having found an old 1920s lodge in Northern Michigan (Birch Lodge in Trout Lake), my wife and I wished to be fully transported via audial Christie magic. This wonderful double feature is sure to delight, with impeccable narration and a Swiss watch mystery of quality and complexity. An absolute joy.

Great Marple/Poirot double feature

Two of my favorite Marple/Poirot books. Joan Hickson and Hugh Fraser were brilliant in bringing the stories to life. Loved every minute of it. I plan on buying more Agatha in the future.