The Monogram Murders

The New Hercule Poirot Mystery

By: Sophie Hannah, Agatha Christie

Narrated by: Julian Rhind-Tutt

Since the publication of her first novel, in 1920, more than two billion copies of Agatha Christie's books have been sold around the globe. Now, for the first time ever, the guardians of her legacy have approved a brand-new novel featuring Dame Agatha's most beloved creation, Hercule Poirot.

"I'm a dead woman, or I shall be soon.…"

Hercule Poirot's quiet supper in a London coffeehouse is interrupted when a young woman confides to him that she is about to be murdered. She is terrified - but begs Poirot not to find and punish her killer. Once she is dead, she insists, justice will have been done.

Later that night, Poirot learns that three guests at a fashionable London Hotel have been murdered, and a cufflink has been placed in each one’s mouth. Could there be a connection with the frightened woman? While Poirot struggles to put together the bizarre pieces of the puzzle, the murderer prepares another hotel bedroom for a fourth victim....

©2014 Agatha Christie Limited (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

Read this if you have missed Hercule Poirot

Would you listen to The Monogram Murders again? Why?

I probably would, as I do listen more than once to favorite reads. I like the way Hannah has her grip around Poirot and the plot.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hercule, I think. I did also enjoy the hotelier and Fen, the server at The Pleasants cafe.

Which character – as performed by Julian Rhind-Tutt – was your favorite?

Poirot. My only complaint would be that when he raised his voice so much it altered my volume and as I often listen in bed, this can disturb others in the home. Prefer an even toned narrator. Still, he was good.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The scene in the village with the tombstones and Martha watching out the cottage windows. It was harrowing.

Any additional comments?

It cannot be easy to take on a book in the character of a long dead author, but I think Hannah did a superb job. Usually I do not like such, but this one was great. For example, the recent adaptations by modern authors of Jane Austen have been dismally bad.

Very good read

I was quite skeptical about reading this book but ended up thoroughly enjoying it. I highly recommend it. It was very well written and the narrator was awesome.

Loved the book

I got this book with all the excitement of an average Poirot fan and it didn't disappoint me at all. I've read some online reviews which advised against getting this book. I'm glad I chose to ignore them. I heard this (audio) book from start to finish in one day and found it gripping and compelling with all the usual twists and turns that I've come to expect all these years.

Perfect Poirot!

I really felt like Christie herself could have written this. There is something so smooth about the writing. It felt very comfortable and almost felt comforting. And the narrator was spot on.

In this, Poirot is retired and takes a room pretty near his regular home to just be by himself and recharge the little grey cells. None of the usual characters were around him but he meets up with a policeman and works with him on three murders in the same hotel, in different rooms, but at about the same time.

Story itself wasn't outstanding, and the policeman was emotionally troubled and seemed rather dense. But that gave the author a good excuse to explain everything very clearly. I assume he would recur in future stories, and hopefully be quicker on the uptake.

But there was just something very comfortable about watching Poirot work, and interact in a society that just wasn't made for him, that make this an especially enjoyable listen. I find some books are enhanced by audio, some are better off read. This definitely was made for audio.

Christie estate chose well with this author and narrator. Kudos to both.

A new take on Poirot

I really liked the intricacies of the story overall. Poirot seemed a bit more angry and short with his friend than I remember in other stories. This police officer seems not up to the task at all. I cannot believe he is actually a part of Scotland Yard as he seems so obtuse and unsuited to his profession. I wonder how this will work in future books.

Good story, horrible sound modulation

Dear Narrator: Just because a character is whispering, that doesn't mean you should. I had to switch the volume back and forth between 34 (my normal listening volume) and 50 because the narrator would lower his voice so much. It made for a very annoying experience despite how enjoyable the story was.

The story itself is worthy of Agatha Christie, though not quite as charming.

Remarkably close to Agatha Christie.

Fantastic pastiche novel! I think it’s rare that an author can so closely mimic the sound of an author like Agatha Christie. But she pulls it off!

great!

it kept me guessing the entire time - and was great to listen to while I did chores... The time flew by.

Too long

the story dragged on and seemed to lose its way at times. it was clear this was not written by Agatha Christie herself.

Poirot Returns

Good story and plot. A bit burdensome to begin with Poirot's compulsions, but that is over quickly. The introduction of a new inspector is both welcome and disappointing to some degree. Disappointing in that familiar characters are not available; welcome because we now have the potential for growth in the universe. Over all, the story is done well and fun. Recommended it for all Christie fans.