Previously published in the print anthology Parker Pine Investigates.
Parker Pyne is on a ship sailing up the Nile from Assouan to Cairo. Among his fellow passengers are a group of wealthy British travelers and their companions. One of them, Lady Grayle, soon lets Pyne know that someone is trying to poison her. All the evidence points to her husband, but can Pyne save her before the killer gets his wish?
January 2, 2012
Listeners will recognize narrator David Suchet from his titular role on the long-running British television series Poirot. As such, it comes as no surprise that he delivers a masterful performance, capturing the great detective’s Belgian accent and the spirit of Christie’s classic mystery. While on a pleasure cruise in Africa, Poirot is called upon to investigate a mysterious murder and catch a killer before he or she can strike again. Suchet effectively transitions between British and American characters, while his portrayal of the obnoxious—and often downright emotionally abusive—socialite Miss Van Schuyler proves particularly engaging. Listeners discovering Christie’s work for the first time may have to adjust an expository style and slower pacing not found in newer incarnations of the mystery genre. And while staying on top of events may sometimes pose a challenge, the entertainment value of this audiobook and importance of preserving Christie’s place in the canon of whodunit literature cannot be denied. A Morrow paperback.