Mrs. McGinty's Dead

A Hercule Poirot Mystery

By: Agatha Christie

Narrated by: Hugh Fraser

Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

Well, it's no wonder. The plot - suspicion for an elderly woman's murder falls on her mysterious lodger - is from Agatha Christie. The wonderful character happens to be the world's most famous sleuth, Hercule Poirot.

©1952 Agatha Christie Limited (P)2002 HarperCollins Publishers

A Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver Mystery

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I really did not know who the murderer was until the very end.

What does Hugh Fraser bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I really enjoy Hugh Fraser's narration of the Agatha Christie books. He reads well and his voice is pleasant.

Any additional comments?

This is the second book Christie wrote featuring fictional mystery writer Ariadne Oliver. I noticed in this book that Agatha Christie gave Poirot a sense of humor.

Poirot at his finest.

This is one of Christie's best novels. Poirot is brilliant and engaging, the mystery is thoughful, the characters are from Dame Agatha's usual repertoire, but I love them and the ending is most unpredictable.

A little simplistic bit of fun with Poirot

One of the things I like about some of Poirot's later appearances is how Christie pokes fun at Poirot's egotism and fastidiousness. This is one of those books, and the appearance of Ariadne Oliver (a caricature of Christie herself) adds to the lighthearted nature of the characters and setting. Of course, there's nothing lighthearted about murder, but the setting and the characters are rather superficial and simplistic - fun, but not a great murder mystery. This is one of the few Christie stories where I actually figured out who dunnit a fair bit before things were solved by Poirot.

Mrs mcgintys dead

A good example of Christies's writing , all the favorite things are there, hercule poirot, himself, and as an added treat, mrs. Oliver, the thinly veiled copy of Christie, herself. At least, I think so. The story follows the road of most these mysteries, finding info and being confused, using the "little gray cells" to get a "a little idea". Proving it to himself and then for a grand finale, announcing it to group. Some small fun things are his description of his rooming house. From the hostess bleeding in the beans, which she has announced already don't look so good, to giant dogs leaping in out of the windows, it's a funny segment.

Hugh Fraser deserves an A++++

Hugh Fraser has the best reading and acting skills. His performances are my therapy. Just close your eyes and you will be transported to quaint English life.

Great Story, Excellent Narration, Classic Poirot!

What did you love best about Mrs. McGinty's Dead?

Colorful characters, Quirky Poirot

What did you like best about this story?

It's got all the fun twists, intrigue, and dry humor you expect from Agatha Christie.

Which scene was your favorite?

Poirot's summation, of course!

Any additional comments?

It's hard for me to find an Agatha Christie novel I haven't already read. Even though I think I read this novel many years ago in print, the audio version was thoroughly enjoyable.

Hugh Fraser is a great reader

Listening to this for the second time. Hugh Fraser is one of the very best readers I've listened to, and with 3 hours commuting (pre covid) I've listened to many.

Highly recommened!

Too many characters

Unlike so many other other great stories, this was confusing and hard to follow . Too many characters were introduced so that it wasn’t fun to listen.

Disappointed

I love the Poirot series, but I couldn't finish this one. It seemed slow and dry. Had to stop listening and return it.

Enjoyable

I love all of AC's HP mysteries, and I really enjoyed this one, too. All I would say is that there are a lot of people/names to keep track of. I half wish I had written them each down as they came up.
Hugh Fraser is my favorite HP narrator, and one of the reasons I've loved listening to these books.