REVIEW: Towards Zero

 Towards Zero
Author: Agatha Christie

I'm not really a huge Superintendent Battle fan, but when I saw how many times this story by Agatha Christie has been adapted, I knew it must be a good story! Usually I'm a Poirot & Marple snob. Hopefully my personal reading challenge to journey through all of Christie's works in publication order will help me learn to enjoy all her characters, not just two of them. 

This novel was published in both the US and the UK in 1944. It is the last of Christie's novels to feature Superintendent Battle.  

I read a beat up paperback copy from my bookshelves (Pocket Books, 1986) while listening to an audio book (HarperAudio, 2012, narrated by Hugh Fraser, 6 hrs 15 minutes). 

The old paperback was on my bookshelves for years and I never read it. I'm happy that I finally got to enjoy the story....and then the old book went into the recycle bin. Bookshelf space is at a premium now that I'm in an apartment. And the book was so old that the pages were starting to separate from the spine just from age. It was time to let it go....and make room for new books. 

 Now...on to the story! 

I actually found myself enjoying this Superintendent Battle mystery from the start! Interesting set up, and the plot kept my attention from start to finish. 

I found Christie's original ending a bit strange and creepy. Others must have as well, as each adaptation I watched removed a certain character from the story altogether.  

This book has been adapted several times. 

Stage Plays - Agatha Christie adapted this story for the stage twice, once in 1945 and again in 1956. I tried to find scripts online but was unsuccessful. I wonder what changes she made?? I read where the script for the earlier play was found in 2015, but I didn't find a copy anywhere to read. Note to self -- keep looking! :)

Verso L'ora Zero - this is an Italian made-for-television movie version released in 1980. I don't speak Italian, so didn't try to find this film version. 

Innocent Lies - This movie is based on the book, but the Christie Estate required the title change and character changes. Released in 1995, the movie had only mild success. There are multiple places to stream this movie online for free. 

Chimunizu-kan no himitsu - this Japanese Manga book collects 3 Christie stories: The Secret of Chimneys, Towards Zero and Sparkling Cyanide. It was published in 2006.  

Agatha Christie's Marple - the popular Miss Marple television series adapted the book (Season 3, Episode 3) in 2007, replacing Superintendent Battle with Miss Marple as investigator. I was so excited during the episode as I recognized two actors in the cast - Tom Baker and Julian Sands. Geraldine McEwan is excellent as Miss Marple -- as usual. There was one character left out and related plot changes that I didn't really like, but the episode on the whole was very good. 

L'Huere Zero - French film adaptation released in 2007. From what I read online, the film sticks pretty close to the novel. I don't speak French, so I didn't watch the movie. 

Radio Drama - BBC Radio 4 broadcast an audio drama based on Towards Zero in 2010. It runs 1 hr 15 minutes. The BBC Radio 4 Christie adaptations are so well done. I have enjoyed them all so far! The cast is excellent --- Hugh Bonneville plays Nevile Strange!  This was very well done as usual. There were some changes to the plot, most likely to condense the story a bit for time.  Loved it! 

Les Petits Meurtres d'Agatha Christie - Season 2 of this French television series had an episode based on Towards Zero in 2019. I don't speak French, but this show did so many adaptations of Christie stories that I wish I did! I read online that the setting is moved to France and the characters are all changed. I am not sure if the plot stuck close to the book or not. 

2025 BBC adaptation - Britbox streaming service has this 3 part series available, released by the BBC in 2025. I don't watch these new film versions until I've read the book so had to wait a few months after its release to watch this one. It was SO HARD to wait!! It released in March, so at least I didn't have to wait long. Hard to avoid spoilers, but I managed!   There were some major changes to some of the characters and the plot. I think most of the changes were to smooth out some events and also to extend for time / dramatize for film. I didn't mind the changes. Very enjoyable adaptation! Angelica Huston was phenomenal! 

 On to the next!! 

  

  

 

 

 

Death Comes as the End

 Death Comes as the End
Author: Agatha Christie

Death Comes as the End was published in the US in 1944 and released in the UK in 1945. This is the only novel by Agatha Christie that is not set in modern times. The setting is Thebes in 2000 BC. 

I read my old paperback copy (Pocket Books, 1972) from my bookshelves while listening to an audio book (HarperAudio 2012, 7 hrs 11 minutes, narrated by Emilia Fox). 

I've had this paperback for years. In fact, I found my name written on the inside front cover and it was my maiden name...so I've had this book for at least 35 years. And I never actually read it. I know why....I am sure the minute I discovered it was set in ancient Thebes and didn't involve any of Christie's usual characters I lost interest in reading it. And, even today, I pretty much felt the same way. I had to force myself to read this book. I felt no interest at all in reading a Christie murder mystery set in ancient times. It isn't because I'm not interested in ancient history. It's just that at times Christie's writing has racial undertones that thankfully have not aged well. And an upper class English woman writing an Egyptian murder mystery because of the Egypt-obsessed public of the time just really doesn't float my boat. Others love this book....I just pretty much guessed that it wouldn't be my thing. 

My ancient paperback was sent off to the recycle bin when I finished reading. Not just because I won't be reading this one again, but also because it was so old its pages were literally falling out. I had to put a rubber band around it to keep it intact long enough to finish reading. 

 Now....on to the story! 

 I'm glad I gave this book a chance. I did listen to the entire audio book and gave it my best shot. But....I didn't like this book. I think there's a reason why Agatha Christie only wrote one book set back in ancient times. It was a one-off, suggested to her by a friend who was a professor. Interesting concept and she did basically pull it off, but I'm glad she only did it once. After completing my reading, I know why this book was never adapted into a movie or television mini series. It would be too expensive for one thing. And, it would just need extensive work to make it into a viable script for modern viewers. 

I did love the fact that Christie based the story loosely on scrolls found in a tomb at Luxor. The scrolls were written by an ancient priest who was complaining about the way his family treated his concubine.  

Agatha Christie has been my favorite author since I was 9 years old. But, as a reviewer, I give my honest opinions about every book I read. So, despite the fact this might be an unpopular opinion, this book was pretty cringeworthy. I wasn't five minutes into the book before there was a racial comment made by a character. And, it was difficult to listen to an audio book with an English woman voicing ancient Eqyptian characters.  The characters seemed drawn from Christie's usual fare, but plonked down in ancient Egypt with a hasty slight makeover to make them fit the setting. It's obvious that Christie read and did research about what life in ancient Egypt was like such as family dynamics, concubines and other aspects of ancient culture before writing. But, for me, it just made for a lackluster story that came off as a very white attempt at portraying an ancient culture. 

 That's only my opinion. I'm glad others enjoyed this book.  And, when you read an author's entire life work, there are bound to be some stories that just aren't favorites. This book is my least favorite of Christie's novels and the only one so far that I did not enjoy reading.  

Adaptations:

I could only find one adaptation of this book -- a Swiss graphic novel published in 2023. 

At one time, the BBC was going to do a mini-series with release scheduled for 2019. But, no updates have been forthcoming about the project for years. It has either been postponed or cancelled altogether.  

I'm moving on.....next book!! Sparkling Cyanide (or Remembered Death - US title). And, another book with a lesser known character investigating. It's the last appearance of Colonel Race. 

 

REVIEW: The Moving Finger

 The Moving Finger
Author: Agatha Christie

This story was serialized in US and UK magazines in 1942. It was published in book format in the US in 1942, followed by the UK in 1943. 

I read my old paperback copy from 1984 (Berkley Mystery) and listened to an audio book (HarperAudio, 2012, Narrated by Joan Hickson (yay!!), 5 hours 45 minutes long). More on the audio book later in the review....

 I collected many of Agatha Christie's novels and short story collections over the years. They've been on various bookshelves and moved with me from place to place for literally decades. The only problem -- I never got a chance to really read very many of them! 

To solve this problem once and for all -- In 2019, I started a personal reading challenge to read all of Christie's writing in publication order. Only about half way through.....and it has taken me years! Life got in the way. Returning to work. A Pandemic. Divorce. A cross country move. New Job. New Life. How dare life get in the way of my reading aspirations!!

Now that I'm settled into my wonderfully peaceful and happy new life, I'm reading at a slightly faster pace. I'm not in a hurry. Just meandering my way through. I look up references that interest me, watch and listen to all adaptations, and just enjoy spending time with Christie's characters. 

It's going to take me a long time to finish! I think I will be sad once I read that very last word....and know that there isn't any more!! I suppose at that point I will read some of the various knock off books that have come out in the last few years written by other authors. :)

Now, on to the story!!  

 While this is technically a Miss Marple mystery, she doesn't appear until about 2/3 through the story. Once I realized, I thought it would really annoy me, but I found myself really liking the narrator and his sister. It actually set the scene much better with Miss Marple joining in later. 

I enjoy Joan Hickson. She was incredible as Miss Marple in the 80's television series. But I have to admit that I had to switch audio books to another version narrated by Richard E. Grant (HarperAudio, 2013, 6 hrs 23 minutes). It was just too confusing to have Miss Marple's voice narrating for a male character before she was in the story. And, I'm not sure if Joan Hickson was having speech problems later in life or had ill fitting dentures....but something was off that made her really difficult to understand. Her reading pace was also very fast. I've listened to other audio books she narrated and enjoyed her performances very much. This one, for whatever reason, just didn't work for me. Richard E. Grant did a great job. I especially loved his portrayal of Mr Pye -- so over the top and just perfect!! And, although I had to pass on her audio book narration, I loved Hickson's performance in the Miss Marple television episode!! Superb!

 This was the first time I read this story. I'm glad I finally got the chance to enjoy it! The plot was just wonderful, and as usual Agatha Christie built the suspense masterfully. The book kept my attention from start to finish. 

I grew up in a small town. And, I found myself wondering what effect anonymous poison pen letters would have had in my hometown. If the writer was as skillful at hitting nerves like the one in this book, I'm sure it would have been just as big of a scandal. I can see how hitting just the right nerve might lead someone to commit violence, even murder. Thinking back through the years, I remember several scandals that came to light in my hometown and the explosive results. A town of 4000 people may be tiny, but, when everyone knows everyone, hiding anything is next to impossible. Eventually, the truth will come out. And there's nowhere to hide in a small town. Everyone knows. It's not like a large city where you can move to another suburb or blend into the crowd.  That made the plot of this book really hit home for me. And.....made me glad I live in a very large city now. I couldn't go back to the spiteful gossip, nosy busybodies, and judgemental nastiness that hid just under the surface of the town I grew up in. Nope. Never looking back. I haven't been back there in 23 years...and don't plan to ever go back again. Awful place. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! There were definitely enough twists and turns to keep my attention the entire time!  

This story has been adapted several times:

Miss Marple - The TV series starring Joan Hickson (Season One, Episode 2) adapted this tale into a two part episode in 1985. Miss Marple joins the story much sooner in this version, and leads the investigation for the most part. Loved every minute of both episodes! The plot/characters are changed in some minor ways, but it sticks to the book relatively closely. 

Agatha Christie's Marple - Starring Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple, this episode came out in 2006 (Season 2, Episode 2). I love McEwan as Miss Marple, but this episode made too many unnecessary changes to the plot, in my opinion. As in Miss Marple, Jane is added into the story almost from the start, which is a complete change from the book, but I didn't mind that change. But the rest.....not necessary and some changes were just....odd. But, McEwan's performance saved it for me. She's is just delightful as Miss Marple. :) 

Le Petits Meurtres d'Agatha Christie - In 2009 a French television series had an episode loosely based on this novel. It switches the setting to France and changes the investigators.  

BBC Radio 4 audio drama - June Whitfield voices Miss Marple in this 2009 radio play. It's just about 1.5 hours long. Very enjoyable listen if you like radio drama!! You can find quite a few of these Agatha Christie radio programs here: https://fourble.co.uk/podcast/bbcradio7  

Miseu Ma, Booksooui Yeoshin - Korean television had a show based on Agatha Christie's stories. Episodes 5-8, broadcast in 2018, were an adaptation of The Moving Finger. 

On to the next novel - Towards Zero!  It features Superintendent Battle. I'm trying to feel excited about it, but I really have a hard time liking Christie's lesser known characters. I hope Battle surprises me and offers a very interesting investigation!!  

REVIEW: Sleight of Paw

 Sleight of Paw
Author: Sofie Kelly

I originally started reading this series several years ago. Then life got in the way and I lost track of these books amid everything. Back now -- and I started reading from the start of the series again. :)

Sleight of Paw is the second book in the Magical Cats Mystery series. 

My favorite characters? Hercules and Owen, of course! I can't choose one kitty over the other, so they will just have to share the top spot. :) 

Librarian Kathleen Paulson finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation again when a local elderly woman is killed. Owen and Hercules jump in to help, as well as Kathleen's loyal group of friends. Even small towns like Mayville Heights hide secrets. Kathleen and her buddies discover just how dangerous it can be when hidden secrets get revealed. 

I enjoy this series. The idea of two cute kitties with paranormal abilities is just a fun concept. I really like how the author even has Owen and Hercules help investigate. They actually come up with the best clues! 

The plot of this second book kept me fully engaged the entire time. I kept trying to guess the killer's identity and changed my mind several times. The story has a balanced blend of amateur sleuthing, character development and background, and humor. The small town/library/cat portion of the plot does not overshadow the mystery plot, but adds depth to it. 

Another entertaining book in this series! Moving on to the next! 

  

REVIEW: Murder in Retrospect

 Murder in Retrospect (AKA Five Little Pigs)
Author: Agatha Christie

This Agatha Christie story was first published in the US as a serial in a magazine in 1941, followed by the novel in 1942. In the UK, it was published as a novel in 1943 (although some sources list it as 1942). The US title is Murder in Retrospect. In the UK, the title is Five Little Pigs. 

 I read my old paperback copy and listened to an audio book (HarperAudio, 2012, Five Little Pigs, 6 hrs 40 minutes, narrated by Hugh Fraser).  

I was delighted when I opened my old paperback and discovered an inscription from a college friend, Amy G. She must have given me this book for Christmas way back in the day when we were still at school together. I will have to try to look her up and send her a message. I haven't spoken to Amy since she graduated in 1989! Funny how life causes us to lose track of good friends once school or jobs end! 

After I finished reading this lovely old book, I put it in the recycle bin.
As I read these old paperbacks, I'm letting them go. Making space on my bookshelves for other books! My Agatha Christie collection has moved with me from house to house, state to state for decades. This reading challenge is helping me finally read the books and then let them go to clear space. Many of my paperbacks are so old that the pages are falling out, even though I never actually got to read them! Many were bought used. Or, like this one, was a gift from friends and family who knew I enjoy Agatha Christie's writing! 

I started this journey through Agatha's books in 2019. I am taking my time, enjoying the stories, doing research, etc. It will take me a long time to finish. I enjoy any adaptations that I can after I finish each book/short story. Enjoying myself!! It's only fair to these books that have been with me for so many years to enjoy the journey! I have a moment with each book just before I send it off to the recycling bin......being thankful for the stories, the enjoyable reading and research project, and the memories of these stories being on my bookshelves since I was a much, much younger person. :) 

So happy to finally be reading all of these wonderful murder mysteries! 

Now, on to the story!! 

This was the first time I read this story. The plot definitely kept my attention from start to finish. As Poirot investigated a 16-year old murder case, I really couldn't guess who the actual killer was. I kept changing my mind! The minute I thought I had it figured out...some clue would pop up that made me think it was another suspect. 

I definitely mentally applauded the convicted woman's daughter for choosing Poirot to clear her mother of murder. If anybody could do it, it would be Hercule Poirot.  

I liked the use of the old poem about the little piggies....this little piggie did this and that. :) But the American title change ruined that theme a bit.  I wonder why they changed the title from Five Little Pigs to Murder in Retrospect for the US publication? 

The ending is simple and direct, but very dramatic. It leaves a bit of a cliffhanger.  Hmmmm.....what happened after the epilogue? I wonder.......      

Great Poirot investigation! He really put the little grey cells to work!  

I'm so glad I finally read this one! It's not a well known Poirot story, but I have to say so far, this one is my favorite. The story is different.....a bit spicy....and really delves into human behavior. Several characters relate the facts to Poirot from their own point of view and it was so interesting to see how they all twisted things to fit their opinions. Great story!  

This story has been adapted four times. 

Stage Play - in 1960, Agatha adapted this novel into a play titled Go Back for Murder. She made fundamental changes to the plot, including removing Hercule Poirot as the investigator. 

BBC Radio Drama - In 1994, BBC Radio 4 presented an audio drama version. John Moffat voiced Hercule Poirot. The audio is just shy of 1.5 hours long. Very well done! You can find it on Youtube as well as other places around the internet. I highly recommend the BBC radio dramas based on Christie's novels!!   

Agatha Christie's Poirot - This story was adapted for the television series in 2004 (Episode 1, Season 9). The episode makes some changes, but sticks pretty closely to the book. Great episode!  

Film - A short movie version "Portrait" was released in 2018. The audio is in Bengali. I tried to find a streamable version, but it just isn't available. I don't speak Bengali, but would have watched it anyway! 

I have now read my way through 31 of the 66 detective novels Christie wrote and 9 short story collections. I'm almost halfway done with my journey through all of Agatha Christie's writing in publication order. Loving it so far!! I have to sit and smile a bit and feel a bit nostalgic as I finish each book. I have wanted to accomplish this very reading challenge since I was 9 years old! 

I "discovered" Agatha Christie one summer when I bought a box set of Poirot novels at a garage sale. I had to do extra chores all summer to repay the $4 I borrowed from my mom to buy the books. That began my collecting of her novels. Living in a small town in the pre-internet days, it was hard to get a complete list of her writing, so I never did manage to get all the books. I carried a written list in my purse for years and crossed off books as I bought them. That moved to my phone when smart phones made things like that much more simple. And, now a quick google search pulls up so much information on her writing and her life. This journey through all of her stories is a culmination of all those years of loving her mystery stories!!

Just had to share the cute Miss Marple bookmark a friend gave me! 

 

On to the next -- The Moving Finger. Another Miss Marple!! I will use my new bookmark! I have the audio book loaded to my phone and my old paperback all ready.