REVIEW: Endless Night

 Endless Night
Author: Agatha Christie

Ok....the minute I start thinking that I don't like Agatha Christie's books written after 1950, I come across one that is incredibly suspenseful and entertaining. So, I have to change my thoughts just a bit -- I don't like MOST of Agatha Christie's books written after 1950.

I loved this one. 

Endless Night was first published in the UK in 1967 and US publication followed in 1968.

I was out of Hoopla credits for the month, so just read my paperback copy of the book, rather than listening to the audio book while reading. I think I expected this to be another dud, like several of the later Marple and Poirot books that I really didn't enjoy. But.....it surprised me!!

This was my first time reading this book, and I'm so glad that I took the time to finally read my copy! 

The basics: A working class man meets and marries an heiress. They buy a property and build a house on it, despite rumors that the land is cursed. Soon after they move in and start settling into life together, the wife is found dead under strange circumstances. Are curses real? Or.....was Ellie murdered?

This book has such a spooky, dark vibe. I was completely sucked into the plot quite early, and was hit upside the head by the twistiness of this plot! Loved it! 

This story does not involve any of Agatha's well-known characters like Marple or Poirot. The fact that the plot is outstandingly bizarre and wonderful tells me that Agatha may have been tired of writing formula classic mysteries with her established detectives. She definitely put her heart into this one! Great book!

Adaptations:

1972 movie: A movie version starring Hayley Mills and Britt Eklund had a short release only in the UK. The film did not do well. Even Agatha Christie herself expressed disappointment. I didn't get a chance to watch this movie. It wasn't available to stream on any platform I subscribe to except Amazon as a rent/buy option. Not paying for what is potentially a bad movie. If I see it pop up on streaming in the future, I will watch it. 

Radio drama: A one hour episode based on this book broadcast as part of Saturday Theatre on BBC Radio 4. I was able to find the episode online. So good!! Full cast with sound effects. Loved it! 

Graphic Novel: HarperCollins published a graphic novel based on the book in 2008. 

Television: Agatha Christie's Marple adapted this story as an episode of the popular television show. Miss Marple is not in the book, but the story is based on two prior short stories (The Case of the Caretaker and The Case of the Caretaker's Wife), one of which does include Miss Marple.  I'm always surprised that this show adapted several stories that did not include Miss Marple, but didn't make episodes based on all of the ones that did include the elderly sleuth.  The episode makes some changes to fit the story into a television episode, but it was very entertaining! 

 I read online that a television series and a movie based on this book are in the works as of 2025. I can't wait to watch!! I will be eagerly awaiting both! 

On to the next! Well sort of anyway.....the next book is a Tommy & Tuppence story (By the Pricking of my Thumbs). I don't like Tommy & Tuppence...so I am giving myself permission to skip past it to Hallowe'en Party.