The ABC Murders

by Agatha Christie, Peter Dinklage (Narrator), Himesh Patel (Narrator)

An Audible Original multi-cast adaptation of Agatha Christie's acclaimed classic, The ABC Murders , starring Peter Dinklage as the legendary Hercule Poirot.

Hercule Poirot and Arthur Hastings reunite for their most difficult case yet. When Poirot receives a letter warning him that a crime is about to be committed by the 'A.B.C' the friends find themselves in a race against time to decipher the killer's twisted logic as he taunts the great detective by announcing the next murder location alphabetically. With every new killing a new pool of suspects is uncovered.

First is Alice Ascher in Andover, whose abusive husband has a shaky alibi. Then the flirtatious Betty Barnard is murdered, leaving behind possessive fiancé, Donald Fraser and jealous sister Megan. Carmichael Clarke is the third victim, a wealthy man whose ambitious secretary, Thora Grey, or grieving brother Franklin, could be suspects. All the while, the mysterious Mr Cust makes his rounds through England.

Can Poirot and Hastings unmask the killer before a final letter seals an innocent victim's fate?

Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) returns as Agatha Christie's famous detective in his most beloved outing, with Himesh Patel (Yesterday) reprising his role as Captain Hastings. Also starring Sam Claflin (The Hunger Games), Lydia West (It's a Sin), Ben Hardy (Bohemian Rhapsody), Rahul Kohli (The Haunting of Bly Manor), Joel Fry (Our Flag Means Death) and Sian Clifford (Fleabag).

Produced in Dolby Atmos, the production features an original score by Johnny Flynn.

Available in Dolby Atmos on Audible.

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery, Fiction, Classics, Crime, Detective, Thriller

5 pages, Audible Audio

Published October 20, 2025

About the author

Agatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.

Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.

This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.

Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

After The Mysterious Affair at Styles Peter Dinklage returns as Hercule Poirot in another fine audio adventure for the great detective.
The ABC Murders is my favourite Poirot novel and this audio story is pretty good. Some of the cast put in good performances, while others are quite weak and don't live up to the quality of actors Peter Dinklage as Poirot and Himesh Patel as Hastings.
It's a good effort, slightly let down by some poor casting choices.

[Wee Lassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually I have absolutely no idea who the murderer really is in one of these books but I have to say the first time we met them I had a bit of an inkling something was off here. Which made it all the more enjoyable when the truth was revealed and the killer brought out into the open… I love feeling like a genius.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Peter Dinklage is an amazing Hercule Poirot

[Stacy B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun mystery. Peter Dinklage did a fantastic job with the narration.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second Audible Original featuring Peter Dinklage as Poirot. He did an excellent job. I’ve never read the book but knew the story vaguely but it was interesting to see Poirot put the pieces together. The sound effects and music and such were definitely a nice touch and brought the story to life. Audible does a really good job with their productions. I hope they have Peter Dinklage do more of these because he was excellent!

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Dinklage did a fantastic job in the role of Hercule Poirot. I think I would like to see him play the role in a movie more than Kenneth Branagh!

[Ericka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved a good Agatha Christie's mystery and this one is no exception. Moreover, with this marvelous production, the great narrative works made it a super experience.
Hercule Poirot received a letter, announcing a possible death, he had received similar letters throughout his life career but, this one, this one is strange, strange enough for him to take it to Scotland Yard. Inconveniently, the new inspector in charge is a very young, very arrogant, and very full of himself, who thinks that to prove himself worthy of his post, he must discard the "old" methods of investigation from the old timer Poirot.

I enjoyed everything about this story, the plot, the twists, the ending. and having Peter Dinklage as Poirot was definitely a plus!!! he is wonderful!!!

[Kristen Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic adaptation. Peter Dinklage was perfection as Poirot.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best way to read one of Christie's best books. This is the best Poriot mysteries and the performance is incredible. This is one of the best dramas on Audible easily. Each character's accent and VA are perfect for the theme and character. the overall plot and story of the novel is excellent of course too, with it being a thrilling fast paced mystery, with an excellent pace. This audio drama's sound work is also excellent, with the music and soundtrack and SFX masterfully used. Without a doubt a must listen for audible members.

[Misty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Peter Dinklage as Poirot, 5 stars for the performance. And I love the original ABC Murders. There was something off about the adaptation for me.

[Harmun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Agatha Christie, and once again I listened to the Audible dramatic version. The mixing was much better, and Dinklage is still just really fun as Poirot.

Liked this one better than the first, greatly helped by a better plot and it not taking place in a manor for the whole thing.

[E · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars. Listened to this book via Audible 🎧

I hated this audiobook. The voice acting was abysmal. Whatever French accent Peter Dinklage was attempting as Poirot was so grating that I kept wincing… and every character sounded basically identical. No one was differentiated and it made the whole thing a chore to follow. I couldn’t get through it fast enough… It ruined my walks and I only finished it just to get it over with.

The added sound effects were wildly unnecessary, almost intrusive. This did not need to be a “graphic” audiobook and the production choices were more distracting than immersive. As for the plot, it felt completely flat. I didn’t care about the mystery at all. The murder reveal was ridiculous. Just no.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not my favourite Christie as it's such a grim tale, but I loved this adaptation of it, I think Peter Dinklage makes an excellent Poirot and we should have many more of these (but this is still grim).

[Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good indeed.

[Shay Forbes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free audible content. A good mystery

[Alex Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun listen, I love Peter Dinklage as Poirot, he definatly adds his own feeling tk the character. I hope theres more to come.

[Lani Baclian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Murder Mystery. Sensational performance.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I revisited The ABC Murders with this newest Audible exclusive, and while it’s not my favorite Christie, I really enjoyed this adaptation. Peter Dinklage’s narration is a delight—he brings a perfect mix of wit and gravitas to Poirot, making him feel charmingly meticulous and slightly mischievous. Hearing Hastings’ perspective again adds that classic dynamic I love, and it’s exactly the kind of interplay that keeps the story lively, even if the plot isn’t my top pick. Overall, a solid three stars—narration elevates it, but the mystery itself doesn’t quite capture my heart the way some of Christie’s other works do.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Dinklage is the David Suchet of Audible. Superb Poiret!

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal production! I never tire of any and all things Agatha Christie.
Peter Dinklage is great as Poirot.

[Roksolana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a bit hard to follow all the new characters when they didn't have a lot of distinctions. But the story itself was interesting. The actors' performance was great as well! Peter Dinklage makes a great Hercule Poirot!

[Edie Kennard · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, giving an Agatha Christie book a 3/5 feels a bit like giving a rainy day a bad review—it’s a classic, and it does exactly what it’s supposed to do, but sometimes you just aren't in the mood for the gloom.

The ABC Murders is one of the "Big Ones" in the Hercule Poirot canon. It’s clever, it’s fast-paced, and it’s got that iconic 1930s travel vibe. But while it’s a foundational piece of detective fiction, it didn't quite hit the "masterpiece" mark for me like The Murder of Roger Ackroyd or Orient Express did.

Here’s the breakdown of why it lands right in the middle of the pack.

The Premise: A Serial Killer Prototype
The hook is genuinely great. Poirot receives taunting letters from someone signed "ABC." Soon after, a string of murders begins in alphabetical order:

Alice Ascher in Andes

Betty Barnard in Bexhill

Cir Sir Carmichael Clarke in Churston

The killer leaves an ABC Railway Guide at each scene. It’s one of the earliest examples of the "serial killer" trope in literature, and the way the public panic grows throughout the book is handled really well. It feels larger in scale than her usual "closed-room" mysteries.

What Worked (The Highs)
The Psychological Angle: Unlike many Christie books where the focus is strictly on "who was where at 10:15 PM," this one focuses on the why. Poirot spends a lot of time pondering the mind of the killer, which feels slightly more modern than her other works.

The Narrative Structure: We get these "interludes" following a man named Alexander Bonaparte Cust, a traveling salesman who seems like the obvious culprit. These chapters add a layer of suspense because you’re watching the net close in on him.

The Poirot-Hastings Dynamic: Captain Hastings is back! Their bickering and Hastings’ constant (and usually wrong) theories provide that cozy, familiar comfort that Christie fans love.

Why It’s Only a 3/5 (The Lows)
The "Coincidence" Factor: Without spoiling the ending, the solution relies on a few massive leaps of logic. Even for Poirot, some of the deductions feel like they were pulled out of thin air rather than meticulously built.

Dry Mid-Section: Around the "D" or "E" murder attempts, the pacing drags. The investigation becomes a bit repetitive—interrogating family members, looking at train timetables, and waiting for the next letter.

The Reveal: While the twist is clever, it lacks that "gut-punch" emotional impact. By the time the reveal happened, I felt more like saying, "Oh, okay, that makes sense," rather than dropping the book in shock.

Final Thoughts
If you’re a Christie completionist, you have to read it. It’s an essential part of the Poirot journey. But if you’re looking for the absolute best of the best, this one feels more like a very polished "workday" mystery rather than a stroke of genius. It’s the "comfort food" of detective novels—reliable, but not necessarily memorable.

[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scotland Yard have confirmed that the murders of Alice Asher and Betty Barnard were committed by the same killer. A chilling, heartless, killer who signs their crimes, leaving a copy of an ABC Railway Guide beside the bodies. They have been dubbed the ABC murderer.

The police remain open to the idea that the killer may work on the railways and are asking the public to remain Vigilant, especially when travelling by rail. 

Police are assisted by Hercule Poirot. The great detective has even published details of letter written to him by the abc murderer. 

The brutal killer has claimed two lives already. And the question we're all asking is, Who's next?

And here we are, back again, with Hercule Poirot. I have enjoyed many a film and TV adaptation of Agatha Christie's enigmatic sleuth and this time it comes in the form of this Audible exclusive dramatisation staring Peter Dinklage. As with many of the actors who have taken up the role, the accent is a little forced, but I don't think I would want it any other way.

Audible have jumped forward here as we move onto a book from the middle of the Poirot series. It is almost an hour longer than the previous adaptation but that is understandable. It is more involved with multiple murders, a killer who taunts Poirot at every step, the usual red herrings, and a suspect with an alibi.

I like how trusty sidekick Hastings helps in his own way, putting seeds of ideas into Poirot's head which turn out to be crucial to the case. I really hope they continue to make these adaptations. For now, this one get 5 stars.

[Abdul Alhazred · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good adaptation of Christie. Poirot will for me always come alive as David Suchet's version, and that's a high bar for any competition to reach, and I will inevitably compare others to it. Just so we're clear on my bias.

There are some strange choices where the acting, even in tense situations, comes across as reserved and talking about a bad biscuit - while Poirot himself has some unusual sentimentality for the situation. The sound design is really good on the other hand, very dimensional use of foley and some music touches that set the scene, the theme of which acts as chapter headings. I'm really glad they stayed somewhat chronological with The Mysterious Affair at Styles and this one, instead of jumping to the crowd pleasing Death on the Nile and Orient Express which are both overdone at this point and really bad ways to introduce the character himself. It's a more nimble thinking duel going on in the ABC murders, that directly calls out and challenges Poirot's skills.

[Rob Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔤 Murder by Alphabet: Christie’s Dark Game
The ABC Murders – Agatha Christie (4/5) One of Christie’s most chilling works, The ABC Murders pits Hercule Poirot against a serial killer who strikes according to the alphabet. The structure is ingenious, forcing Poirot—and the reader—to confront the psychology of a murderer who seems to revel in pattern. Christie’s brilliance lies in her ability to make the puzzle both mechanical and deeply human. The novel explores themes of obsession, anonymity, and the fragility of order. My 4/5 rating feels right: it’s a gripping, inventive mystery, though perhaps not as emotionally resonant as Christie’s finest. Still, it stands as one of her most ambitious and unsettling works.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories that are delivered through full-cast dramatizations. I watched the Poirot series on BritBox but have never read any of Christie’s Poirot books. What better way to explore the character through this audiobook!

The plot for THE ABC MURDERS was interesting and the pacing was excellent. The presenters were excellent, too—especially Peter Dinklage as Poirot.

I didn’t guess the murderer until close to the end. This audiobook was very well done, and I hope they do more dramatizations of the Poirot series!

[Pietro Rossi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Victims are Alice Ascher in Andover, Elizabeth "Betty" Barnard in Bexhill, Sir Carmichael Clarke in Churston.

You can see where this is going. And Sir Carmichael isn't the last death.

We also have Mr Alexander Bonaparte Cust who happens to be at each location. Is he the killer in plain sight, or a red herring?

This is a strong story from Agatha Christie.

I like this story because it's not the usual claustrophobic Christie. Here the serial killer has the whole country at hand and plenty of places to hide.

This Amazon original play brings out all the charm of the book. 9/10

[Seung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need More. Helmut and Peter are perfect! I prefer this one over The Mysterious Affair at Styles. Debating if I should pick up Anna Karennina or Moby Dick or Picture of Dorian Grey after this. Maybe this is a call to clear my book list. Oh yeah, I have Murder On the Orient Express. After that I'll read Lonesome Dove and Jojo Steel Ball Run together. But can't wait for Murder on the Orient Express adaptation. Not sure where to go from here but I think I'm hooked on Peter Dinklage as Poirot.

Next read will be Orbital Followed by Steel Ball Run and then Orient Express.

[Arianna Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 this was a well done audiobook/drama of this murder mystery. I enjoyed it a lot.

Things just a classic that I have seen done time and time again, and that’s nothing against this rendition. It’s just not the best Poirot murder mystery- in my opinion.

I do think the twist in it is interesting, and the reason the people are murdered- being the double letters in their names. Will always, and has always stuck with me. So there is that I suppose.

But a Poirot murder mystery is always good.
And this cast is fantastic.

[Karin Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is an Agatha Christie classic so I’ll concentrate on the production. It’s presented as a full cast radio series rather than being a reading of the book. There are sound effects and background music. I found these irritating at the beginning as they made it harder to hear the dialogue but either they settled down or I got used to them as about a quarter of the way through they stopped bothering me.