The Hollow

At the country estate of the insular Angkatell clan, the endearingly quirky Poirot chances upon a murder scene that strikes him as oddly posed. All clues point to the wife, found standing over her husband's body, holding the gun. But of course, everyone is suspect, including the mistress, a sculptor, who especially fascinates Poirot. Christie not only constructs a compelling plot, she explores the psychology of her characters, peeling away layers until she gets to their core. Hugh Fraser, who plays Captain Hastings in the BBC's Poirot productions, has a resonant voice; his nimble use of British accents is perfect for evoking the upper-crust environment. He gives voice to the inner lives of all of the characters while moving the story forward seamlessly. Originally published as MURDER AFTER HOURS, this book is pure pleasure. E.S. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine