I love it

I really like this audiobook, the performances are very good. There is something I would like to clarify though, for those people who actually read the comments and reviews. I have seen one reviewer complaining about the fact that one story, or some parts of the stories are not read by Hugh Fraser or David Suchet. Well, they all are, but if one is not familiar with David Suchet's work, apart from his performance as Poirot, then they might not recognize his normal voice.

53 people found this helpful

Poriot Early Cases <br />

I purchased this as a relaxing book.
There's numerous different stories right from the beginning of Agatha Christie career, if you're a keen reader of Agatha Christie you may find that somethings sound familiar this is where later on she expended the short story into a full length book. It was really easy to listen to and it gives you an insight into Agatha Christie earlier stories

23 people found this helpful

easy listening

Would you consider the audio edition of Poirot's Early Cases to be better than the print version?

Cant go wrong with Agatha Christie stories and this is no exception.

12 people found this helpful

Delightful little grey cells at work

Would you listen to Poirot's Early Cases again? Why?

I certainly would, and probably will in a year or so, when the solutions have slipped my mind - because the narration is so good (it's particularly nice to hear David Suchet narrate Poirot stories as he slips back into character effortlessly and gracefully - and his Hastings is pretty perfect, too!) and it keeps the little grey cells alert!

What other book might you compare Poirot's Early Cases to, and why?

Other Agatha Christie short stories - crimes and criminals with devious motives and satisfying conclusions, deeply rooted within early twentieth century Britain, but utterly timeless.

Have you listened to any of Hugh Fraser and David Suchet ’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I've listened to several Hugh Fraser readings of Agatha Christie novels and he is the master of it, bringing out all the eccentricities, quirks, rhythms and fancies of the English upper classes in the early twentieth century, and he transports you there. Of course, his Hastings is now definitive, as is David Suchet's Poirot, so to hear them read these stories in the character of their TV roles is a joyous experience.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh at several points because Poirot is a humorous character in himself, but also has a wicked sense of humour when it comes to other people and things - and the sometimes bumbling Hastings is great company for the ignorant listener, not to mention Inspector Japp - Christie always injects humour into proceedings, it's the English way.

Any additional comments?

The opening story, the Affair at the Victory Ball, actually seemed the weakest in my opinion, and I had to restart it several times to get into it properly (that could be because I listened to this to wind down in the evening before sleep so my concentration wavered), but once through that (I think the narrator switched to David Suchet for a while and it felt such a novelty, such a treat, to listen to him read Poirot's Cases!), all the others seemed to sparkle with life; I was hooked and greedily devoured each one!

9 people found this helpful

Nice short stories.

If you are looking to listen to short stories, this is the audiobook for you. Well read, easy listening. Good book.

6 people found this helpful

Excellent

The short stories are alternated between narration from David Suchet and Hugh Fraser. To be really picky, I would love them to include both, and Inspector Japp and Miss Lemon narrating their own lines, but nothing is perfect. These are great, really quick easy listens, perfect for one each on the journey to work, approx half an hour each. If you like Agatha Christie books anyway you will love these. If you've never tried anything of hers, I think I like the short stories best, a good place to start.

24 people found this helpful

perfect

Hours and hours of perfect, familiar, non threatening characters. perfectly read. just the ticket for brains that need soothing before bed.

11 people found this helpful

Great listen, but marred by narrating inaccuracies

A great collection of classic Poirot stories which held my attention in each case. Lovely to listen to as each case was well written, as is to be excepted in the case of an Agatha Christie work, and each had a nice plot twist.

I was also excited to see it was read by Hugh Fraser and David Suchet, who play Capt Hastings and Poirot in the TV series; however my enjoyment of this audiobook was marred by the fact that not every case included David Suchet's performance as Poirot and one was not even narrated by either Fraser or Sachet. I couldn't help but feel slightly cheated because, as far as I was aware, the description do not mention the changing narrators etc. It didn't ruin the book completely but did leave me feel fairly aggrieved!

34 people found this helpful

Poirot's Early Cases!

Hercule Poirot is, I admit, in his early years as a private detective.

After reading many Agatha Christie & Poirot stories, I was disappointed to find that this lacked depth & was I felt, racing through. This is not so much the readers fault, though the readings are quite fast, but there is little time lapse between the stories.

Not one of my favourites!

2 people found this helpful

Usual standard

Picked for the narrators voice. Puts life into each character. Agatha Christie's short stories are always a pleasure to hear.

5 people found this helpful