The £199 Adventure

by Mike Stott (Adapter), Agatha Christie, Richard Griffiths (Narrator)

A middle-aged man in search of adventure, Bobby Roberts answers an advert in The Times and is dispatched to Milan, to collect a harmless package from a scientist. However, he very soon gets caught up in a terrifying murder.

Genres: Mystery, Agatha Christie, Audiobook, Short Stories, Fiction, Crime, Classics

1 pages, Audiobook

First published October 9, 2010

Reviews

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a BBC audiobook dramatisation with a wonderful cast; Richard Griffiths and Rebecca Front as Parker Pine and his assistant. A brief mystery that was well acted (well audibly of course) with a great plot, and the first Parker Pine story I have heard/read.

I enjoy Agatha Christie stories so much and this was no exception, especially with such a great cast. Parker is called in when a transfer of a package from the continent all goes wrong. He arranges for an ordinary Englishman wanting an adventure to visit Milan to pick up the package, and its at that point that everything goes wrong

I have a number of dramatisations on audiobook, so I will enjoy listening to more whenever I get the opportunity 😊

[Sharone Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, short story by the master of suspense is turned into a wonderful production by the BBC. The cast who acted it out did a great job, but I mostly loved how the tense moments and the emotions of the characters were underscored by the world's best opera pieces. The whole thing was so wonderful, I'd listened to it twice in a row (which also helps see everything more clearly).

I listened to it for free on the Over Drive app, which is connected to my library card. Hope that helps.

[Steven Walle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adventure concerns the drug trade in the athletic rhelm, especially that of the drugs which mask the drugs they take to inhance their physical prouas.
The book is alright.
Enjoy and Be Blessed.
Steven

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little short dramatization. At times it was tough to hear the dialogue through the background noise, but I think it was done well overall.

[Brianna Bello · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was unlike anything I’ve ever listened to. I absolutely loved it. I was a little confused throughout because of all the noise from the cars and shoot out, etc. But the ending had me laughing. Really enjoyed this!

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable. I just started reading Parker Pyne stories this year even though I’ve been reading Agatha Christie books for years. I have enjoyed the Pyne stories for their mix of intrigue and humor.

[Azita Rassi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great production. Loved its humor. The suspense was not on a par with other Agatha Christie's mysteries though. All in all, short and entertaining.

[Pranit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a boring story & I wouldn’t recommend Parker Pine. Not upto the level of your usual AC novel.

[Carol Jones-Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this could be possibly the shortest audio mystery book ever, and by Agatha Christie no less. Only 27 minutes long. I like to try different things, and this is certainly different. It is called "The L199 Adventure" and is about a gentleman who in search of personal adventure. It has a four person cast, headed by Bobby Roberts, who answers an advertisement in The Times--The ad says, "Are You Happy? If not, see Parker Pyne." So Parker sends him to Milan to collect a package prepared by a scientist. with instructions to see the sights, enjoy himself, and try every flavor of their Italian famous Ice Creams. YUM!!! It's not long before he is tangled up in several murders and terrifying escapes.

Enjoy.

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man who says his life is good but boring asks Parker Pyne for an adventure; a quick one while his wife is away and he’s only got £199. Pyne sends him to Milan as a courier to collect some samples for a friend’s drug company. Frantic taxi rides, threats, shootings, and the mafia are all involved.
Much to poor Robert’s distress. ‘There’s BLOOD in my ice-cream,’ he screams down the phone at Pyne.
Pyne sends his clever assistant to bail him out and get him on a plane home.
***
Originally titled The Case of the City Clerk, this one made me laugh.
He most certainly got his money’s worth, but was any of it real?
4 stars

[Christine Ku · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was going to listen to a Miss Marple audiobook but there was a connection failure on my library website so I switched to this without realising that it’s just a short story (or maybe I missed it on the description on the web catalogue, I was always more interested in the blurb anyway). Overall, a nice enough short story with the big twist at the end.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The £199 Adventure successfully transports a classic Christie tale into a modern setting, offering both new and longtime fans an intriguing and entertaining experience. The adaptation showcases the timelessness of Christie's storytelling and the versatility of her plots in contemporary contexts. This is really fun to listen to as a radio collection.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

In which Mr. Roberts suffers from ennui and visits the annoyingly phlegmatic Parker Pyne. His trip to Milan is a supposed disaster, involving blood on his ice cream and locals that sound too much like Manuel from Fawlty Towers. An unsatisfying adaptation. Too much noise and background music. Headache inducing. Meh.

[Vin Vineeta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I want to go on this adventure 😂 Parker Pyne is totally my favorite Agatha Christie character. The man has questionable morals, is damn creative, definitely has a sense of humor, and worships chaos.

[Bekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well performed, but just not my thing. I don't know why, but I just don't get a thrill out of Parker Pyne stories. He is my least favorite lead. Still, it was less than half an hour to listen, so not too much time wasted.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[Seth Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever.

[Library_Dweller89 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very well done. It was short, but very entertaining.

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super short story about a middle-age guy who wants some excitement and when he gets it, he realizes that sometimes boring can be good.

[Christie Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny, good twist!

[Matthew Royal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little story! It's not a mystery so much as... an adventure, and a very enjoyable short read/listen.

[Lorrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

What an odd little story.

[Amy Gideon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda boring.

[Jill]

Dramatization. Short and fun, a little silly but amusing.

[Josephine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The audio production had to much background noise to hear the story.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook. It was fun - not her best work but interesting look into what people enjoyed back then.

[Red · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great audiobook!
The voice acting just brings it to life the same way my imagination does while reading a regular book.
The story doesn't disappoint either. I would totally recommend.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't crazy about this for most of it but come the end with the twist I enjoyed it.

[Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun mad cap adventure. Im not sure how much of a mystery it actually was though

[Maymunah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually liked this one it was hilarious