The A.B.C. Murders

BBC Radio 4 Poirot

by Michael Bakewell (Adapter), Agatha Christie, John Moffatt (Narrator)

"A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatization starring John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot "

Alice Asher, a poor, elderly shopkeeper, is murdered in Andover. Betty Barnard, a young waitress, is strangled with her own belt at Bexhill-on-Sea.

Next comes Carmichael Clarke, collector of Chinese art, clubbed to death in Churston. Only in Doncaster does the pattern vary: the man found stabbed to death in the Regal Cinema is called George Earsfield.

But each time, an ABC railway guide is found by the dead bodies, and each time, Poirot is warned in advance by a taunting letter signed ABC.

Who is ABC? And can Poirot find out in time to prevent the death of a whole alphabet of victims?

The police doubt him and the public are in a state of panic, but Poirot is convinced that the murderer s luck will turn, and sooner or later he will make a crucial mistake and Poirot will be there when he does.

This full-cast dramatization of one of Agatha Christie s most imaginative mysteries stars John Moffatt as the great Belgian detective, Simon Williams as his faithful sidekick Captain Hastings, and Philip Jackson as Chief Inspector Japp."

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Agatha Christie, Fiction, Crime, Classics, Mystery Thriller

2 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Michael Bakewell (7 June 1931 – 11 July 2023) was a British radio and television producer and radio playwright.

His work included adapting The Lord of the Rings (with Brian Sibley) into a 1981 radio series for the BBC and a series of 27 adaptations of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot stories broadcast between 1985 and 2007 by BBC Radio 4.

He was born in Birmingham, England. After graduating from Cambridge in 1954, he was recruited by the BBC's Third Programme. He became the first Head of Plays at the BBC in the 1960s.

Reviews

[Randi Annie Framnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poirot receives letters warning him of murders, all signed ABC. A homicidal maniac seems to be working himself through the alphabet challenging Poirot’s little gray cells. In every case the ABC railway guide is found close to the body.

The ABC Murders is installment #13 in Hercule Poirot Mysteries by Agatha Christie, and I listened to it as an audio CD edition.
This story is about a murderer sending letters to Poirot warning him that there is going to be a murder. A pattern develops of victims and murder scenes chosen in alphabetical order.

While confident of a successful outcome of this investigation, Poirot seems to be slightly less cocky than he might seem in the tv adaptations I have seen. Maybe he develops a super confident celebrity persona as time goes by and he solves many more cases.

In this story Poirot manages to collaborate well with Inspector Japp of Scotland Yard. He uses what proof the investigation offers, including fingerprints, combined with his analytic skills to solve the case. The little gray cells work in his favor yet again, which is not unexpected but still nice to see.

I got caught up in a strong red herring, which distracted me right until the real culprit was revealed. It became a surprise element I enjoyed very much. The affluent settings of Agatha Christies' plots I always love. This is no different. There is just something about the characters, the settings and the time period which I can't get enough of. I just get drawn to stories set in a historic time frame, both 1930s and earlier.

Poirot is the Agatha Christie's expertly crafted fashionable and rather vain private sleuth of the 1930s. I find he has a funny and demeanor, being very conscious about his appearance. In this story Poirot gets fired up by the way Hastings is wrinkling his clothes when trying to pack his luggage.

Captain Hastings is the hands-on, devil’s advocate-like assistant. He seems the type of character who wants to act and not think too much, which occasionally leads to funny situations in spite of the murder investigation. I find it funny that Poirot picks on him because he prefers to stay close to the ladies. I think Poirot and Hastings have a quite interesting, and sometimes amusing, working relationship where Hastings is sometimes sent off to deal with some minor detail of the case, whereas Poirot gets to use his "little gray cells" in peace.

The ABC Murders (Hercule Poirot #13) by Agatha Christie is expertly crafted as we come to expect from the Queen of Crime, building this particular plot around the alphabet. I found the ending surprising. There are numerous works to choose from by Agatha Chrisie, both featuring Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, so there should be no problem finding one that suits.

I have previously read several of Agatha Christie's books and seen numerous tv-adaptations. I can safely say I love them all. The ABC Murders (Hercule Poirot #13) works well as a standalone. It would be a perfect read for fans of Agatha Christie and for readers of Crime Fiction. Similar works to explore might be the Sherlock Holmes Series by Arthur Conan Doyle. All opinions are completely my own.

[Pauline Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do find Agatha Christie books so intriguing and interesting, we have here Hercule Poirot trying to solve a murder that has the persons name beginning with the same letter, the place of the murder beginning with the same letter and the object they used in the murder, yes you guessed right, beginning of the same letter, the only clue the murderer leaves behind is the ABC guide book. Wait though, this is not just one murder. Do we end up going through the whole alphabet? And going through a rabbit hole of a chase all around the country?
... ... ... ...

Once again I'm marvelled by the way Agatha Christie writes these stories, this is an amazing tale and I didn't pick up at all who it was, and neither did some of the character... so I place here for you a scone with devonshire cream, sip on your cuppa and discover the adventures of Poirot.
.
I listened to this as an audiobook and being an hour and half long it would definitely serve the purpose of sitting down with a scone and a cuppa.
.
Well worth 5 stars and briefly leave you with one quote that will have you wondering

"it's not the facts that matter, it is the mind of the murderer...."

[Sosi Dem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Hercule Poirot and his little grey cells. And loved reading Agatha Christie since my childhood. I don't even remember which of her books I have read and which one not. This one I have read before, apparently. But I liked it anyway. However, I strongly recommend to read the book, not listen to it.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've mentioned before how difficult it is for me to review audio novels. I tend to just sink back and listen rather than pay attention to details and take notes for review comments. My latest session with Hercule Poirot in The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie (1936) is no different. It doesn't even help that I've read the novel before--because that was long ago when I was first discovering Christie. For the most part, I enjoyed this BBC production of the novel--although I have to admit, after watching David Suchet play Poirot and listening to several audio novels with him as the reader, I have been spoiled and I can't say that John Moffatt fulfills my ideal of Poirot's voice and intonation. It was nice to hear Philip Jackson's familiar voice as Inspector Japp The plot itself is quite good--even when one knows (as I do) the solution. It is still very interesting to listen to Christie work her magic and hear Poirot explain how he gets into the mind of the killer to discover who s/he is.

Just a small overview of the plot--for those who have yet to read this mystery classic or for those who need a refresher. Hercule Poirot receives a taunting letter challenging him to discover the identity of a killer before he or she strikes. The great detective is told to direct his attention to Andover--but Mrs. Ascher, a tobacco shop owner, is killed in her shop with an ABC Railway guide left on the counter before Poirot can even reach the town. Betty Barnard is next to die in Bexhill and then Sir Carmichael Clarke in Churston. It looks like England has a serial killer on its hands. Will Poirot be able to use his "little grey cells" to outwit the murderer before he can work his way through the rest of the alphabet?

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.

[LibraryCin · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, when someone is killing people starting with the beginning of the alphabet, they bring Poirot in by sending letters hinting at the next murder to come. So, the first person to die had both initials start with A and the town she was in started with A; then B, then C…

I listened to the BBC Dramatization (though I didn’t grab it on purpose), which is usually better for me than the books. I’ve found that many of these “golden age” (and earlier) mysteries just aren’t my thing. I liked the premise behind it, but this one still (even the dramatization) didn’t hold my attention well enough to follow everything. It may have been better (for me) than reading the actual book, though.

[Cora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't mean to listen to the radio dramatization of this book.I didn't even know there IS a radio dramatization of it.By pure chance or in other words,by mistake I downloaded it, supposing that it is the unabridged audio-book , it turned out to be a BBC radio drama. I love it,I listened to it three times, still it was as interesting. Now,I have about eight of them! I mean BBC radio dramas!

[Devan Wilbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the fast pace. I love the voice actors. I love the story. It might have been a bit predictable but it was perfect for a road trip listen.

[Yuna (taylor's version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

holyyy plot twist

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm... I'm not sure I understand why this is considered such a classic murder mystery but I guess this was a fun little introduction to Hercule Poirot.

[Donna Collier · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so fast - I felt like I listened to the abridged version. I know that because it was full cast, they took out all the he said/she said explanations. But this felt much shorter than a 200 page book. I enjoyed this though, it was like listening to a play. Occasionally, I had a hard time figuring out who was speaking, but still fun!

[Jyotika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't realise I had got the BBC adaptation of this. Very enjoyable nonetheless, more a cliff notes version, 1h30min of a radio dramatised production rather than the 6h audiobook. My first foray into Agatha Christie. Reminded me of criminal minds, serial killer and the workings of their mind. Intrigued to read the full book at some point. Didn't see the final reveal coming, very neat story.

[Alyson Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has to be a favourite Poirot and seen as I'm going down an Agatha Christie wormhole, I just had to! Yup, this book is a little predictable but I still love the plot and the characters. A classically charming baddie always wins me over.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do enjoy these dramatisations, a lot of fun.

[sabisteb aka callisto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poirot hat sich (mal wieder?) zur Ruhe gesetzt, und seinen Freunsd Hastings zu Tee eingeladen, als er einen anonymen Brief erhält. Ein gewisser ABC fordert ihn zu einem intellektuellen Duell heraus. ABC kündigt einen Mord in Andover an und fordert Poirot heraus ihn aufzuhalten, wenn er dazu in der Lage ist. Hastings hält den Brief für einen Scherz, Poirot ist sich da nicht so sicher. Als Alice Ascher in Andover ermordet aufgefunden wird, muss auch Hastings einsehen, dass das kein Scherz war, beim Mord hört der Spaß auf, besonders, wenn der Täter einen ABC-Fahrplan als Visitenkarte zurücklässt. Vorerst jedoch sind Hastings und Poirot in einer Sackgasse, bis weitere Briefe eintreffen und die Morde in Bexhill-on-Sea und Churston ankündigen.

Ein verrückter Serienmörder, der nach dem Alphabet mordet und das offensichtlich ohne Motiv, der absolute Albtraum eines jeden Ermittlers, ist es doch meist das Motiv, das den Täter entlarvt. So bleiben nur wenige Spuren zu verfolgen: Was haben die Morde noch gemeinsam? Verwandte und Freunde der verschiedenen Opfer kommen Poirot zur Hilfe, vielleicht wissen sie mehr, als sie glauben. Was haben sie übersehen, was erschien ihnen zu unwichtig, um es zu erwähnen oder zu bedenken?
Agatha Christie rettet ihren Helden aus dieser Misere, indem sie doch ein sehr komplexes, durchtriebenes Motiv erfindet. So komplex, dass es unglaubwürdig erscheint, dass jemand so einen komplizierten Aufwand betreibt, das wirkt doch sehr überkonstruiert. Zu einem echten Triebtäter ohne Motiv fehlte der Autorin wohl der Mut, sie wollte Poirot nicht scheitern lassen.
Die Sprecher sind wie immer außerordentlich gut und typgerecht besetzt. Die Stimmen sind soweit unterschiedlich genug, dass man sie gut auseinanderhalten kann. Wie alle Fälle des belgischen Meisterdetektivs ist auch dieser autark und kann außerhalb der Reihe gehört werden, es gibt keinerlei Bezüge zu älteren Fällen.

[Reading Fanatic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It!

I really enjoyed this short Hercule Poirot mystery. As is typical of Christie, the story is quite intriguing and kept me thoroughly engaged. Agatha Christie's books are well worth checking out if you enjoy mysteries and stories set in earlier times. I've read several of her books, and to date, I've not found a single one that I have not enjoyed. Happy reading!

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ABC Murders: A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation from 2008
John Moffatt (Narrator), Simon Williams (Narrator), Philip Jackson (Narrator), Tom George (Narrator), Ioan Meredith (Narrator),
Michael Bakewell (dramatised by )

An anonymous letter sent to Poirot teases the date and location of an upcoming crime that turns out to be murder. It seems they mark their crimes with an ABC rail guide and are working their way through the alphabet for both the location and the victim. Choosing Alice Ascher in Andover, then Betty Barnard in Bexhill and so on.
Poirot and Hastings have to wait for the letter to learn the next location. But when the C victim is Sir Carmichael Clarke in Churston, public knowledge of the case goes wide. But the next site is Doncaster, during the races.
Frustrated by an eager new Inspector, Poirot resorts to asking relatives of the victims to help him. The theory is that they may have seen the murderer in the past and will recognise them if they see them again.
***
I do like these full cast productions; it’s like listening to a movie.
And here Christie is super clever. I don’t think it’s in her nature to have a truly random crime. At least, I can’t think of one right now. Insane serial killers are so not her thing. It’s all about the motive.
4 stars

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

HP: "But is that a way to fold a coat?"
CH: "huh?"
HP: "And see what you have done to my pajamas. If the hair wash breaks, what will befall them?"
CH: "But Poirot, this is a matter of life and death. What does it matter what happens to your clothes?"
HP: "Oh you have no sense of proportion Hastings. We cannot catch the train earlier than it leaves, and to ruin our clothes will not be the least helpful in preventing a murder. Awww, just look at the creases in this shirt!"

Maybe you gotta hear it to catch the humor...

At the very beginning, Hastings asks Poirot to describe his ideal murder, and it turns out to be the plot of another book (although the other story is not quite as 'simple' and unimpassioned as his musing). I wonder if that is also in the print edition? [ETA: thanks to Amazon's see inside feature, i now know that it is] I have this vague memory of the other one (possible spoiler to other story if i include the title: Cards on the Table) giving reference to another Poirot case. I should listen to that one again.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis: When Alice Ascher from Andover is murdered and an ABC railway guide is placed next to the body, nobody thinks that this would be the beginning of a string of murders.

My Review: I was in the mood for a short Agatha Christie mystery and this book did not fail to deliver. I enjoyed the story and was surprised by the ending (although that's nothing new. Whenever I hear that people knew who was the bad guy all along, I'm afraid to admit that I'm usually clueless up until the very end).

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Moffat is an intrepid and wizened Poirot and Simon Williams his appropriately gobsmacked Hastings as they recruit family members of victims to stop the ABC killer! More interaction than usual with "civilians" as the dashing duo chase the perpetrator around many scenic locations. Philip Jackson provides some extra spice as Japp in this BBC Full Cast dramatisation. The suspense is high but a few strategically placed clues put the listener on alert for a somewhat not unentirely surprising denouement. This finely constructed puzzle keeps one firmly engaged.

[Marlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great production. I often find that a production such as this cannot be as good as the book, and sometimes can be difficult to follow (if the voices aren't different enough to always distinguish characters). I did not find that with this book. I really enjoyed it. It was engaging right from the beginning. It was unique and it stayed interesting through to the end. I really enjoy hercule poirot's character.

[Kiri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I truly enjoy the Poirot books, I am also very pleased that Christie remains an author where I often am not certain of the ending in the first 1/3rd of the book. This story, which involves a serial killer, does not disappoint.

[Sue Berg]

bbc dramatized version from public library OverDrive service --
BBC Audiobooks America
OverDrive WMA Audiobook
File size:
112388 KB
Number of parts:
7
Duration:
7 hours, 49 minutes
ISBN:
9780792753896
Release date:
Feb 01, 2008

[Daiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy the BBC adaptations. However, I don't think that people who haven't read the unabridged book will like them as much. They skip a lot of the characterization, and shorten much of the plot.

[Lady Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dramatized version of the book and I don't know if they shortened it or not. However, it was a super quick listen--I listened to it in one night. It was just what I needed: a enjoyable mystery that wrapped up quite nicely.

[Mae Leveson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most engaging of mysteries by Agatha Christie - I didn’t enjoy this one as much as some of the others. I do like John Moffatt as Poirot and will look out for more stories in which he plays the leading role.

[ReadKnitHoard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one AC novel that I do remember the who and the why of. It was nice to listen to and Moffat didn't bother me as Poirot at all. (Was he less British about it or am I getting used to him?)

[Stephanie Ricker · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the very few Christie stories in which I could actually foresee who the villain was, and the story is no less enjoyable for that.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite. The story is excellent and production by BBC is certainly justified as a full-fledged audio drama. I listened to an audiobook on Libby.