REVIEW: Destination Unknown

 Destination Unknown
Author: Agatha Christie 

I'm going to start my review by being totally honest -- 

I DNF'd (did-not-finish) this book. I've been on this journey through Agatha Christie's writing in publication order since 2020. And, I have found that I just don't like her spy thrillers. For me, the plots just didn't age well at all. 

Once again, I tried to read this. And, I found myself disliking it more and more as I went along. I got about halfway....and just said nope. Done. 

Life is too short to force myself to read something I am not enjoying. Even if it's written by Agatha Christie.  

I'm going to do a shortened review, and move on to the next book.  

This is another of Christie's books that was published under a different title in the US and UK. It was first published in the UK in 1954 as Destination Unknown. US publication as So Many Steps to Death followed in 1955. My paperback copy from 1987 [PocketBooks, 237 pages] used the original title. At one point when I was collecting Agatha Christie paperbacks I had two copies of this book because I didn't realize at the time it was the same book just published under two different titles! :) Ooops!

As usual, before being published in book format, this story was published in serial format in a UK magazine and in several US newspapers. Someday I hope I come across the magazine or newspaper versions of at least one of these novels! I'd love to see the presentation and formatting!  

My old paperback was in pretty bad shape. Yellowed pages, bent up cover that was torn at lower spine. It was time to (try to) read it and then throw it away. While I was reading and listening to the audio book, the pages started to fall out. Definitely time for it to go to that book recycling bin in the sky. :) 

I checked out the audio book on Hoopla [HarperCollins, 2012, 6 hrs 43 minutes, narrated by Emilia Fox]. I have listened to several books narrated by Emilia Fox, and she always gives a very good performance. I got about half way through and stopped reading/listening. It was not because of her narration. I just wasn't enjoying the story. 

I found no adaptations for audio or film of this book.  

As stated earlier, I lasted through half of this book and abandoned it. I didn't like the main character and the plot was just too outdated, in my opinion. I'm glad to see that others have enjoyed this story. It was just not for me. 

Moving on!