The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (audio novel)

 The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926) by Agatha Christie
  (read by Hugh Fraser)

My synopsis of the story (for those who have not yet read it...and why not, I ask you): 

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd actually begins with the death of Mrs. Ferrars, widowed within the last year. The rumor mill of King's Abbot had been grinding away--envisioning wedding bells between Mrs. Ferrars and the wealthy Roger Ackroyd. But Mrs. Ferrars is found dead from an overdose of veranol in what is first supposed to be an accident, but the village grapevine suspects is suicide. Dr. James Sheppard, our narrator, is confronted by his  sister when he returns home after the discovery.

My sister continued: "What did she die of? Heart failure?"
"Didn't the milkman tell you that?" I inquired sarcastically.
Sarcasm is wasted on Caroline. She takes it seriously and answers accordingly.
"He didn't know," she explained. (p. 3)

 When Sheppard insists on accident, Caroline rejects the idea. She's convinced the woman killed herself out of remorse. Because obviously she killed the husband who was cruel to her. 

Then that evening Roger Ackroyd is found dead--stabbed to death by his own decorative dagger and rumors are flying about blackmail. But then there is also the fact that Ackroyd's nephew, known to have disputes with his uncle over money, has disappeared from the scene. And what about the maid who gave notice that very afternoon? And the mysterious stranger who was looking for Ackroyd's home at about the time of the murder? And who made the phone call to the doctor that brought him to Ackroyd's house and resulted in the discovery of the crime?

Fortunately for King's Abbot, a funny little foreigner who "looks like a hairdresser" has come to the countryside for his retirement. A foreigner by the name of Hercule Poirot. He's sure to get to the bottom of the mystery, for as he tells Ackroyd's niece (who has asked him to investigate): What one does not tell to Papa Poirot he finds out.

If you would like to see my full review of the mystery, please follow the link above, but be aware that there are spoilers. This review is devoted to the audio edition which I borrowed from Hoopla through the local library. Hugh Fraser is my favorite reader for Christie novels which do not feature Miss Marple. I think he is perfect as Captain Hastings in the Poirot television series and even though Hastings does not appear here (except as Poirot references him) it is still delightful to listen to Fraser tell us the story of Poirot and murder in King's Abbot. He manages to give each character a bit of distinction so you aren't confused about who is speaking--even when there's a longer bit of dialogue. Reading--or in this case, listening to--an Agatha Christie novel is a comfort read for me. And it was fun to settle in and let Fraser's words flow around me. ★★★★★
 

First line: Mrs. Ferrars died on the night of the 16th-17th September--a Thursday. 

Last line: But I wish Hercule Poirot had never retired from work and come here to grow vegetable marrows.
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Deaths = 3 (two poisoned; one stabbed)