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The Big Four: The Original 12 Stories

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The Big Four: The Original 12 Stories

By: Agatha Christie
Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki, John Rubinstein, Gabrielle de Cuir
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“If one man does not make a move, the other must, and by permitting the adversary to make the attack one learns something about him.”

In The Big Four, Hercule Poirot investigates a string of murders that appear to be disconnected on the surface, but Agatha Christie’s Belgian detective sees the only tiny detail that links them all together. For some obscure reason that Poirot is determined to uncover, the number four keeps popping up with every killing. Poirot soon learns that there is in fact an international crime gang dubbed “The Big Four,” and he sets off after them. With Hastings once again at his side, Monsieur Poirot travels all over Europe to find them, but the pair are always seem to be a step behind this shadowy syndicate.

This audiobook features the original twelve linked stories as they first appeared in The Sketch periodical, before Christie re-worked them with her brother-in-law to create the novel, The Big Four. Originally titled The Man Who Was Number Four: Further of Adventures of M. Poirot, this collection not only sees the return of Hastings and Inspector Japp, but it also introduced to the world Achille Poirot, the identical twin of Hercule Poirot himself!

Featuring original advertisements from The Sketch,and an introduction by Gabrielle de Cuir.

Full Contents:

“The Unexpected Guest”

“The Adventure of the Dartmoor Bungalow”

“The Lady on the Stairs”

“The Radium Thieves”

“In the House of the Enemy”

“The Yellow Jasmine Mystery”

“The Chess Problem”

“The Baited Trap”

“The Adventures of the Peroxide Blonde”

“The Terrible Catastrophe”

“The Dying Chinaman”

“The Crag in the Dolomites”

(P)2023 Blackstone Publishing
Classics Espionage Mystery Private Investigators Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Crime Chess
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Critic reviews

“John Rubinstein perfectly delivers the French accent of the great Belgian detective and the classic British voice of the good-hearted, naïve Captain Hastings. The story reads more like a spy thriller than a typical Christie…As was the case in The Sketch, there are commercials. These are artfully presented by Gabrielle de Cuir and Stefan Rudnicki…The production entertains and is professionally done.”

(AudioFile)

“This outing thrusts Poirot into one of Christie’s most outlandish and melodramatic adventures…With its over-the-top premise and international cast of villains…it is certainly one of her most entertaining.”

(Publishers Weekly)

“It is always a delight to meet Hercule Poirot again. He is one of the few detectives with real charm.”

(Dorothy L. Sayers, New York Times bestselling mystery author)
All stars
Most relevant
Enjoyed the story and the way it was presented but the performance left a lot to be desired.

Okay

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Agatha Christie herself wasn't a fan of this book, so it hard to show the story much love. In saying that, I didn't dislike it. It's just not up there with her best.

It's saving grace is John Rubinstein, who does an excellent job as the narrator. He does an excellent French accent for Poirot (up there with John Moffat) and an excellent Russian accent for other characters. His Japp is good, but for me, Philip Jackson is the definitive Japp.

I liked the adverts that were interspersed between some stories. They were a nice additional touch.

Overall, I'm not disappointed with the audiobook. It kept me listening and I did want to find out more. But as I said, it's not one of Christie's best.

A great recording of a mediocre book

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Whilst this is far from the most popular of the Poirot stories, it’s always been my favourite. I’ve listened to the Hugh Fraser recording so many times I know the story back to front. When this came out then, with the promise of it being in original format, I couldn’t wait to hear it.

Summary - there’s little change between the novel and the original stories. The very beginning is different, and there’s an odd change here or there, but nothing major.

I listen to these stories to fall asleep, so the addition of the adverts is not great. They stop the flow of the story and introduce sharp changes to the volume that will wake you up if you listen for similar reasons.

The story is a barmy as it’s always been: Christie letting her hair down and taking on espionage and general bonkers story-telling. I love it, but you may not if you’re used to the standard Christie stories.

Narration is excellent. No-one compares to High but this is still excellent. A good Poirot, and a wonderful variation of the minor characters who make the story. I’m not a big fan of the interpretation of Inspector Japp, but it’s brave and so fair play!

Highly recommended. More people should give the Big Four a chance: it’s a great story and this is a great, comprehensive version.

My favourite Poirot book, reimagined

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This book has awful pathetic accents the TV version had a much feel about it

I want my money back

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I liked the way the chapter titles were read out with the information of the particular issue and date the chapter was published in.
Japps accent was also novel. Hastings came across as naive while Poirot was his usual modest self.

Not bad. Good Narration.

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