The Monogram Murders

The New Hercule Poirot Mystery

By: Sophie Hannah, Agatha Christie

Narrated by: Julian Rhind-Tutt

Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Since the publication of her first novel, in 1920, more than two billion copies of Agatha Christie's books have been sold around the globe. Now, for the first time ever, the guardians of her legacy have approved a brand-new novel featuring Dame Agatha's most beloved creation, Hercule Poirot.

"I'm a dead woman, or I shall be soon.…"

Hercule Poirot's quiet supper in a London coffeehouse is interrupted when a young woman confides to him that she is about to be murdered. She is terrified - but begs Poirot not to find and punish her killer. Once she is dead, she insists, justice will have been done.

Later that night, Poirot learns that three guests at a fashionable London Hotel have been murdered, and a cufflink has been placed in each one’s mouth. Could there be a connection with the frightened woman? While Poirot struggles to put together the bizarre pieces of the puzzle, the murderer prepares another hotel bedroom for a fourth victim....

©2014 Agatha Christie Limited (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

great!

it kept me guessing the entire time - and was great to listen to while I did chores... The time flew by.

Too long

the story dragged on and seemed to lose its way at times. it was clear this was not written by Agatha Christie herself.

Poirot Returns

Good story and plot. A bit burdensome to begin with Poirot's compulsions, but that is over quickly. The introduction of a new inspector is both welcome and disappointing to some degree. Disappointing in that familiar characters are not available; welcome because we now have the potential for growth in the universe. Over all, the story is done well and fun. Recommended it for all Christie fans.

Wonderful reading of an inadequate story

Julian Rhind-Tutt made Poirot come alive so well that I thought it was David Suchet himself. His other character voices were phenomenal as well! I'm a new fan. The story itself was unimpressive and totally unbelievable. And while Hannah did a decent job with Poirot, he was too long winded.

Mystery is terrific; writing craft is Not

I will try this author one more time because the mystery she conceived was definitely worthy of Christy. The issue is the writing. Sophie Hannah needed an editor to tell her that one long wrap-up monologue is expected but to stop the book over and over again for pages upon pages of droning explanation is incredibly boring. Christie’s deft hand with sparkling dialog is nowhere apparent. What Christie did so well is ha

Not recommended

The story line is rambling and extremely repetitious especially the last four chapters. The voice of Porot is very difficult to understand and since he spoke almost exclusively for the last three chapters it was really annoying.

good mystery & enjoyable narration

The mystery is interesting and true to the time period, but lacking the concise narrative Agatha Christie is so loved for.

The narration darts around like a dog in a meadow, chasing butterflies of description and random inner dialogue that sometimes make it hard to follow the purpose of the scene. I find myself editing in my head and wonder why the publisher's editor didn't trim some of it.

The narrator is superb, however, and kept me listening with his excellent tone, character voices, and pacing.

I don't think the series is as terrible as others say. It just feels as if Hannah is trying a little too hard in this first ouvre. The second book is better.

Kudos to her for earning the privilege of carrying on the legacy so we can enjoy more Hercule Poirot.

Great Story

Wonderfully performed and absolutely very good story! I can't wait for the next book performed.

Read this if you have missed Hercule Poirot

Would you listen to The Monogram Murders again? Why?

I probably would, as I do listen more than once to favorite reads. I like the way Hannah has her grip around Poirot and the plot.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hercule, I think. I did also enjoy the hotelier and Fen, the server at The Pleasants cafe.

Which character – as performed by Julian Rhind-Tutt – was your favorite?

Poirot. My only complaint would be that when he raised his voice so much it altered my volume and as I often listen in bed, this can disturb others in the home. Prefer an even toned narrator. Still, he was good.

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

The scene in the village with the tombstones and Martha watching out the cottage windows. It was harrowing.

Any additional comments?

It cannot be easy to take on a book in the character of a long dead author, but I think Hannah did a superb job. Usually I do not like such, but this one was great. For example, the recent adaptations by modern authors of Jane Austen have been dismally bad.

Very good read

I was quite skeptical about reading this book but ended up thoroughly enjoying it. I highly recommend it. It was very well written and the narrator was awesome.