The Mystery of the Blue Train

A Hercule Poirot Mystery

By: Agatha Christie

Narrated by: Hugh Fraser

Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

When the luxurious Blue Train arrives at Nice, a guard attempts to wake serene Ruth Kettering from her slumbers. But she will never wake again - for a heavy blow has killed her, disfiguring her features almost beyond recognition. What is more, her precious rubies are missing.

The prime suspect is Ruth's estranged husband, Derek. Yet Hercule Poirot is not convinced, so he stages an eerie reenactment of the journey, complete with the murderer on board.

©1928 Agatha Christie Limited (P)2002 HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

Weak Christie novel with excellent narration

Of the Agatha Christie novels I've read, this was the weakest with an uninteresting mystery and characters that are hard to find likeable or interesting. The narration on the other hand is excellent, with Hugh Fraser doing a phenomenal job.


AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

Loved this mystery!

Big, big Agatha Christie fan here. Was browsing Audible for a good mystery to listen to during the long 12 hour drive back to upstate NY with 6 wee pups. I came across this mystery featuring Hercule Poirot---it was one I had never come across before. Hugh Fraser did a fantastic job reading the story! And the plot is perfect. I am partial to Christie's murders that take place on a train and was not disappointed! If you love Agatha Christie and Hercule Poirot you will love this audio book! Five star rating for everything!!!

Outstanding Narration

Hugh Frasier's variety of accents bring an enthralling vibrancy to Christie's work. You feel as if you are surrounded by a cast, each telling what they saw (or what they want you to think they saw!) when in truth it is one talented man's voice. The story is full of lush descriptions, twists and turns in the Christie way, and the characters are easily recognizable- indeed whatever the audio equivalent of "leap off the page"- due to the individuality of voice the narrator applies to them.

Clever. And Hugh Fraser is superb.

Loved Mr. Fraser portrayal of Ms. Viner near the end. Delightful. All characters were well done.
You could easily see in your mind's eye the English village, the train, and Nice. Good entertainment.

Classic Christie

Hugh Fraser perfectly captures the atmosphere of one of my favorite AC novels. Well worth listening to for fans of the genre.

Very Orient Express

This is a very classic sort of Christie—very reminiscent of Murder on the Orient Express, with hints of jewel thievery and some romance for flavor. I guessed who the murderer was about halfway through, but the method of the murder and how it was accomplished took me by surprise. Christie always manages to take me by surprise in some way. Hugh Fraser can’t be rated highly enough. Excellent read!

All aboard for mystery!

Hugh Fraser does a fantastic job with the many voices in this the story. A colorful cast of characters both help and hinder Poirot as he probes for the truth. All the clues are there, it just takes order and method to figure out the truth.

One of Christie's best

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The plot is engaging from the first chapter and, as usual for Christie's work, there is suspense and guessing until the last chapter. I thought the ending was both satisfyingly happy and realistic.

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

Yes, numerous characters being involved, most of whom had secrets and shadows.

What about Hugh Fraser’s performance did you like?

His vocal elasticity and inflection for characters is incredible! His narration voice is soothingly deep and steady.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! I felt transported to the world inside its covers.

solid, classic Christie

First performance. Hugh Fraser is my favorite Christie narrator. He's great in this, though the American accents are always a little forced and fake, but likely more because of Christie's writing.

The story is engaging with interesting characters. The main reason I gave it a rating of 4 and not a 3 is because of the character of Katherine Grey. She is now my favorite (non-detective) Christie character. As for the mystery and story: I never really guessed who it was, though I think I went through just about every character as a possibility at one time or another. But she really played this one close to the vest for me.

I usually categorize Christie's mysteries in three groups:
* Fabulous
* Classic/standard
* Below average

This one falls into the Classic/standard category wrt story. To give you an idea of my taste to compare with your own, here is a sampling of some of the best and worst, with most others falling into the Classic/standard category (2 to 4 stars). I haven't read every Christie, but I have read most of the highly suggested ones.

FABULOUS 5 STAR
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Curtain: Poirot's Last Case
Five Little Pigs
The Moving Finger
Crooked House
Endless Night
The Murder at the Vicarage
A Murder Is Announced
Death on the Nile

BELOW AVERAGE 1 STAR
Elephants Can Remember
Nemesis
Third Girl
The Seven Dials Mystery
The Big Four

Great!

I forgot I was listening to the story & not watching television.
Hugh Fraser was awesome in all parts, i especially enjoyed him the Hercule Poirot that I know, David Suchet.