Christie’s swan song

The story is rather slow moving, drawing much on previous episodes in the life of Tommy and Tuppence. This engaging couple are now aging, and much is made of problems with memory (as much the author’s difficulty as that of the characters).
The Manchester Terrier, Hannibal, is a great personality. (I have a friend who has a feisty little canine of this rare breed, developed as ratters, like a Dobermann in concentrated form, so I appreciate that he is more life-like than many of the humans!)
It’s not a book to recommend to anyone who doesn’t already like the Beresfords, but I liked to know what had happened to their children (especially Betty, whom they adopted).
Tommy and Tuppence are the only Christie principals who lived in “real time”: very young in The Secret Adversary, young marrieds in Partners in Crime, 40-somethings in N or M? Etc. And they have a proper family life, unlike Poirot (whom I like) or Miss Marple (who gets up my nose, so I don’t buy those audiobooks- too much exposure on old TV), who are always old, little changed in 40-50 years of senior citizenship!
It isn’t a very good book, but it rounds off the T&T saga, and Hugh Fraser performs it well, although he does make (repeatedly) one of his rare errors of pronunciation - Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Catriona” is properly pronounced more like “Katrina” with the stress on the first syllable and a very short “o” sound. I have two nieces of that name which is the anglicised (simplified) spelling of the Scots & Irish Gaelic version of Catherine.
He also messes up with “Achille” (The Big Four), but that’s only two aberrations (of his, he’s not responsible for authorial gaffes) in many, many hours of portraying characters of all ages, diverse nationalities and social situations, of both genders.

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Slow burn

A reread. This time via Audible with Hugh Fraser, who as always was superb. An elderly Tommy & Tuppence, so quite a lot of nostalgia in it- lots of references to the past and bygone times. Slow in areas, especially at the end. Perhaps more suited for devoted Christie fans.

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Excellent read

I have this book on tape although it is abridged, just love it. When I listened to the full book I realised just how much had been left out. Admittedly a lot of it was irrelevant but I really enjoy listening to it all I have already listened to it 4 times and know I will listen at least once a month. I would recommend this book if you enjoy Tommy and Tuppence stories, sadly there were only a few of them written.

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Not Poirot or Marple.

I loved Hugh Fraser's narration as always with the one negative: listen carefully and the use of the male pronoun (he) is used throughout for ALL of the characters. How did that occur and why was it allowed to pass?

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Fun dog, and totally safe escapism

Daft but absolutely safe escapism. I’m not sure I actually understood what was going on by the end, but perhaps that's because I may have fallen asleep a couple of times.

The conversations between ‘Tuppence’ and ‘Tommy’ are often so stilted that even the brilliant Hugh Fraser seems to struggle a bit. But it’s all very lighthearted, there’s another excellent Christie dog beautifully observed and some surprising, currently relevant, anti-Fascist politics.

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Be careful . . .

I would suggest that you only listen to this if you are already a devoted fan of Tommy and Tuppence. It completes their story but as a stand alone piece it is likely to disappoint. The excellent Hugh Fraser does what he can with a story that promises well but fizzles out; the whole is lacklustre and rather tedious, especially in comparison with the earlier novels that feature these two sleuths.

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A good story well read

Another lesser known of Agatha Christie’s stories. Well read as usual by Hugh Fraser. Such a lovely voice.

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So pleasant to listen to - Hugh Fraser!

Love Tommy and Tuppence and the world they inhabit. I am in my 70s but can still relate to “their 70s”! Recommend thoroughly.

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A must read for all mystery fans

Tommy and Tuppence at their best, on a par with N or M. An interesting story line which you need to follow to get all the clues that the Beresfords find. Extremely well read by Hugh Fraser, absolutely spot on with all the characters. I have listened to this four times now and still find it highly enjoyable. I really recommend this.

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Spies and Assassins

Fantastic spy thriller, not like A Christie’s country house murders, keeps you guessing, I would highly recommend.

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