Dumb Witness

BBC Radio 4 Poirot

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

As Hercule Poirot sifts through his post one particular morning, he alights upon a letter from an elderly and (as it transpires), exceedingly rich spinster—Miss Emily Arundell. She is clearly in great distress and seeking his help, but doesn't say why. Her only specific mention is "the incident of the dog's ball." However, what intrigues Poirot is the date of the communication—it was written two months ago. He persuades Captain Hastings that they must visit the lady with all haste. On arrival they discover that she has died, apparently of natural causes. But Bob, Miss Arundell's devoted wire-haired terrier, knows better. And so, soon, does Poirot.

John Moffatt, as ever, stars as Hercule Poirot with Simon Williams as Captain Hastings. With music specially composed by Tom Smail.

It was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 7-8 December 2006.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Crime, Agatha Christie, Murder Mystery

2 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2007

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

[Alyson Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A murder that appears as a natural death gives Poirot the case he needs to stretch the little Grey cells, all of which hangs on a dress broach. . . . Really enjoyable listen.

[Jen St · Rating 3 out of 5]

These short, BBC full cast adaptations are always fun car listening.

[Effie · Rating 4 out of 5]

B.R.A.CE. 2018 Ένα βιβλίο που έγινε τηλεοπτική σειρά

[writer... · Rating 5 out of 5]

#audiobookmonth enjoyment continues with Hercule Poirot's detecting skills ...

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light and breezy production in which John Moffatt's Poirot and the Hastings of Simon Williams enjoy much banter back and forth. They solve the case of a fall down the stairs, some green emanations and a mysterious letter. Not as dark - or as long - as some of the other, longer Bakewell adaptations. The dog is the best performer!

[Rob Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable adaption of the classic murder mystery that I unfortunately kept comparing to the 1994 TV version. Kudos to the actor who plays Bob the dog!

[Shaie F · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favorite books—but sadly they thought it too much effort to record an actual dog barking.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the dramatisation of this novel, however the story seemed to lack some of the cleverness of previous Christie novels I've read. Whether that's down to the transcription, I'll only know if I read the actual book! The actors were wonderful and their artistry in bringing their characters to life through only their voices is what brought the rating up for me.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently (within the last month) listened to the short story "The Incident of the Dog's Ball" and even though I knew the guilty party from that version and though this book is a longer version, I still wasn't sure "whodunnit" in this version until the end. Agatha Christie truly was a remarkable writer!

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow.

[Ally · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Hastings is less obsessed with the women in this one, at least.

[Richard Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent radio adaptation. John Moffitt is a superb Poirot.

[Philip Froloshky · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the first time in my life, I am listening to such an audiobook. It's like audio made for a movie, ‎but no video to go with it. It was quite interesting to listen to, of course not only because of how ‎the recording was made, but also because of the story itself.‎

Dumb Witness acquainted me not only with this type of audio book but also with the ‎work of Agatha Christie. Until then I had not read or listened to anything by the author.‎

To me, the whole story was quite original, ‎‏‎{SPOILER ALERT}‎ a cunning murder, looking ‎like an accident because of an innocent puppy and its ball. A murder committed by a family member ‎because of the unscrupulous human nature. ‎

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Incident of the Dog's Ball" is supposed to be a short story version of this story. However, if I remember correctly it has a different resolution, and I remember the jar and the picture playing a bigger role. I know they take some liberties in these radio adaptations but i don't think that accounts for all the differences. I suppose I need to listen/read the short story again to know for sure!

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok it wasn't one of her better books but not bad

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another well-done full-cast audiobook. If only they weren't so short!

[Stephanie Ricker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit iffy, this one. I don't recall if the novel itself was subpar (been too long since I've read it), or if the blame lies at the feet of the adapters for radio drama.

[Mae Leveson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic Agatha Christie drama, but a little long for the story. The odd thing was that ‘the dumb witness’ was played by an actor!

[Tamar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful BBC production. Agatha Christie write the best detective stories. Was very unexpected ending that I always finnd enjoyable.