The Big Four

Hercule Poirot, Book 5

By: Agatha Christie

Narrated by: Charles Armstrong

Originally published as a series of short stories in Sketch magazine, this tale of international intrigue and espionage begins when a visitor stumbles into detective Hercule Poirot's bedroom. In the final moments before his death, he tells Poirot of the crime cartel known only as the Big Four. What follows is Hercule Poirot's biggest case yet, taking him and his sidekick Arthur Hastings on the trail of the Big Four before their plans to take control of the world unfold.

Note: The Big Four contains characterization and thematic elements representative of prejudiced beliefs, particularly Sinophobia and Orientalism. While these views were never legitimate nor equitable, they were unfortunately commonplace at the time of writing and publication. Rather than glossing over this painful dimension of literary history, this audiobook edition references the text as it was originally published so that it may be included when taking into consideration the overall impact of Agatha Christie's body of work. The beliefs and views present in this book do not reflect that of the publisher's.

©2004 Agatha Christie (P)2023 Dreamscape Media

Amazing story - okay narrator

The story, like all Christie does is amazing. The narrator had a very traditional upper class sounding English accent (take this with a grain of salt as I am from the US). It honestly didn’t lend well to telling stories, it was a bit irritating and very fast speech. I slowed the story to .9 speed just to be more tolerable.

Not my favorite

Of my all the AC books i have read this is not anywhere near the top- but when you realize it was written in 1927 it has a different impact. Did not enjoy performance.

Not a Favorite!

This book is quite esoteric and contrived. In light of the second decade of the 22st century, world it’s not a an engaging plot!