09/30/2019
The 20 selections in this unremarkable collection of Christie tales with a supernatural angle offer minimal scares. Notwithstanding the subtitle, several are simply baffling mysteries with a rational explanation, as the presence of Hercule Poirot and Jane Marple signals. Those stories, such as the Marple impossible murder puzzle, “The Idol House of Astarte,” in which a man is stabbed to death by an unseen assailant in the presence of a woman garbed as a priestess, are clever but won’t surprise genre veterans. In the Poirot case, “The Dream,” the detective is consulted by an eccentric millionaire who reports recurring dreams of shooting himself at exactly 3:28 a.m., but even Christie fans are unlikely to consider it a classic. Other tales feature uninspired variations on overworked tropes such as haunted houses, werewolves, and a demonic doll. Though Christie’s novels enable her to build suspense by developing multiple explanations for the mysteries they pose, the surprise reveals of these short works are often telegraphed early on. This volume shows why Christie’s reputation is based on her detective fiction, not ghost stories. (Sept.)
This collection overall gets that balance between horror and mystery exactly right...That’s part of Dame Christie’s spooky brilliance, knowing when to satisfy readers with the mundane monstrosity of a human murderer and when to leave us with the chilling touch of the unknowable.” — Criminal Element
“Agatha Christie is the reigning Queen of Suspense, her tales always the perfect addition to any list of books to read for Halloween. ” — Women.com
“What better way to pre-game for Halloween than with a compilation of spooky stories from none other than Agatha Christie?” — InStyle
“The Last Seance shows that Christie could pull off stories of supernatural suggestion, and that she was fantastic at creating atmosphere.” — New York Journal of Books
“It’s tempting to say that Agatha Christie is a genius and let it go at that, but the world’s had plenty of geniuses. Agatha Christie is something special.” — Lawrence Block, New York Times bestselling author
“Agatha Christie’s books are both wonderful crime novels and studies in contrast and duality, and I adore them still. Underestimate them at your peril.” — Louise Penny, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Inspector Gamache novels
“Agatha Christie taught me many important lessons about the inner workings of the mystery novel before it ever occurred to me that I might one day be writing mysteries myself.” — Sue Grafton, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Kinsey Millhone novels
“Any mystery writer who wants to learn how to plot should spend a few days reading Agatha Christie. She’ll show you everything you want to know.” — Donna Leon, New York Times bestselling author of the Commissario Brunetti novels
“Agatha Christie’s indelibly etched characters have entertained millions across the years and a love of her work has brought together generations of readers—a singular achievement for any author and an inspiration to writers across the literary landscape.” — Jacqueline Winspear, New York Times bestselling author of the Maisie Dobbs novels
What better way to pre-game for Halloween than with a compilation of spooky stories from none other than Agatha Christie?
Any mystery writer who wants to learn how to plot should spend a few days reading Agatha Christie. She’ll show you everything you want to know.
This collection overall gets that balance between horror and mystery exactly right...That’s part of Dame Christie’s spooky brilliance, knowing when to satisfy readers with the mundane monstrosity of a human murderer and when to leave us with the chilling touch of the unknowable.
Agatha Christie’s books are both wonderful crime novels and studies in contrast and duality, and I adore them still. Underestimate them at your peril.”
Agatha Christie taught me many important lessons about the inner workings of the mystery novel before it ever occurred to me that I might one day be writing mysteries myself.”
The Last Seance shows that Christie could pull off stories of supernatural suggestion, and that she was fantastic at creating atmosphere.
New York Journal of Books
It’s tempting to say that Agatha Christie is a genius and let it go at that, but the world’s had plenty of geniuses. Agatha Christie is something special.”
Agatha Christie’s indelibly etched characters have entertained millions across the years and a love of her work has brought together generations of readers—a singular achievement for any author and an inspiration to writers across the literary landscape.”
Agatha Christie is the reigning Queen of Suspense, her tales always the perfect addition to any list of books to read for Halloween.
English actress Fenella Woolgar brings her talents to the narration of some of Agatha Christie’s most frightening tales of suspense and the supernatural. Woolgar’s delivery is done in a variety of accents ranging from French to Scottish, and even a posh English accent that makes one imagine Agatha Christie is personally delivering the reading. For listeners who love the stories of Hercule Poirot, enjoy a good ghost story, or want to experience some of Christie’s lesser known works, this audiobook is a treat for the ears. Woolgar’s ethereal voice brings just the right amount of suspense to draw the listener further into each story. V.B. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
English actress Fenella Woolgar brings her talents to the narration of some of Agatha Christie’s most frightening tales of suspense and the supernatural. Woolgar’s delivery is done in a variety of accents ranging from French to Scottish, and even a posh English accent that makes one imagine Agatha Christie is personally delivering the reading. For listeners who love the stories of Hercule Poirot, enjoy a good ghost story, or want to experience some of Christie’s lesser known works, this audiobook is a treat for the ears. Woolgar’s ethereal voice brings just the right amount of suspense to draw the listener further into each story. V.B. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
