The Second Gong
A Hercule Poirot Short Story
by Agatha Christie
read by Hugh Fraser
Part 0.4 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
Lytcham Close, one of the oldest stately homes in England, is owned by the last remaining heir and ruled by his intolerable whims. Old Hubert demands complete silence when he plays music and times dinner exactly by a resounding gong. Rushing down at the sound of the second-or is it the first?-gong, Joan Ashby is about to find out that not only is dinner delayed, but something is going on that no one can explain. Everyone is thrown into disarray when Old Hubert never materializes and instead a new guest is announced: Hercule Poirot himself. What unfolds is a mystery of lovers, and a death that is not as it appears.
The Chocolate Box
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 1 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Chocolate Box, Poirot describes a case he was unable to solve. Investigating the apparent poisoning of a popular Belgian civil servant, Poirot goes undercover to expose the murderer, only to discover the case is not so tidy as he thinks. But who could have wanted the man dead?
The Kidnapped Prime Minister
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 2 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Kidnapped Prime Minister, Poirot investigates the mysterious disappearance of the British Prime Minister during wartime. Apparently carjacked on the way to a peace conference, Poirot must overcome subterfuge and misdirection to solve the mystery.
The Lemesurier Inheritance
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 3 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
Agatha Christie's short story, The Lemesurier Inheritance, Poirot and Hastings are asked to keep an eye on the heir of a Northumberland estate. The house, thought to be cursed since the Middle Ages, is the locale of several recent near-death accidents for the young boy and rumors of the curse increase. But is it possible the accidents are man-made?
The Affair at the Victory Ball
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 4 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
Agatha Christie's, The Affair at the Victory Ball, Poirot is enlisted by Chief Inspector Japp to assist in the investigation of a murder at a costumed Ball. Six attendees form a circle of suspicion when a young aristocrat and his fiancé are found dead. Poirot then makes an interesting discovery about the costumes worn by the six friends.
The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 5 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim, to win a bet with Inspector Japp, Poirot solves the mysterious robbery and disappearance of a banker from his home, all without leaving his seat. Is the culprit the businessman Mr. Davenheim was supposed to meet? Or is the situation more complicated?
The Plymouth Express
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 6 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Plymouth Express, a rich young American woman is found murdered on the train from Bristol to Plymouth and her valuable jewelry missing. Poirot's suspects include her indebted gambler husband, her French adventurer lover, and her maid. But where is the murder weapon?
The Adventure of the Cheap Flat
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 7 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Adventure of the Cheap Flat, Poirot's suspicions are aroused when he hears of a sweetheart deal on a flat. Doing a little freelance investigating, he soon learns that the flat is at the center of a case of international espionage and a potentially fatal double-cross.
The Submarine Plans
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 8 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Submarine Plans, Poirot is summoned to the home of Lord Alloway, head of the Ministry of Defense, to investigate the theft of top-secret plans for a new submarine. With the First Sea Lord and his wife, and a mysterious Mrs. Conroy all staying the night, the suspects are numerous.
The Adventure of the Clapham Cook
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 9 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Adventure of the Clapham Cook, Poirot is asked by a Mrs. Todd to investigate the sudden departure of her cook, Eliza. When elements of the case seem to correspond to miscellaneous articles read aloud from yesterday's paper to him by Hastings, Poirot begins to unravel a devilishly complex plot.
The Cornish Mystery
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 10 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Cornish Mystery, Poirot is asked to help a Cornwall woman who believes she is being poisoned by her husband. When Poirot and Hastings visit her home, they are shocked to find she has died. But is it really her husband who did the poisoning?
The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 11 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor, Poirot investigates the case of a middle-aged man who died under suspicious circumstances just weeks after insuring his life for fifty thousand pounds. Could the man, who was in financial straits, have killed himself to benefit his beautiful young wife?
The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 12 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge, Poirot and Hastings are enlisted by a Mr. Roger Havering to help investigate the murder of his aristocrat uncle at his hunting lodge. Hastings discusses the murder with the housekeeper on the scene, but Poirot quickly deduces that her story doesn't add up.
The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 13 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
Agatha Christie's short story, The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb, the widow of a famous Egyptologist consults Poirot on the suspicious death of her husband and an American financier, Bleibner. The mystery takes Poirot and Hastings to Egypt to investigate the site of an archaeological dig. But who could want the two men dead?
The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 14 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's, The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan, Poirot and Hastings are called on to solve the case of Mrs. Opalsen's missing set of pearls, apparently stolen during a stay at the Grand Metropolitan Hotel. The two suspects are Mrs. Opalsen's maid and the hotel chambermaid, but both blame the other. Who is the real thief?
The Market Basing Mystery
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 15 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Market Basing Mystery, Poirot and Hastings are called on to investigate the suspicious death of a landowner in a small English town. What looks at first like a simple case of suicide quickly becomes more complex as Poirot interrogates the suspects in the home.
The King of Clubs
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 16 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
Agatha Christie's The King of Clubs, Poirot investigates the possible double murder of a famous dancer and theater impresario. Could the words of a fortune teller and a playing card provide a solution to the mystery?
The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 17 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman, Poirot and Hastings investigate the suspicious death of Count Foscatini in his apartment in Regent's Court. Found dead at the dinner table, with three empty dinner plates, suspicion is immediately placed on his two dinner guests. But is there more to the story?
The Double Clue
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 18 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
Agatha Christie's short story, The Double Clue, Poirot investigates the robbery of a collection of medieval jewelry from the safe of a dealer. Since the theft occurred during a dinner party, the suspects could be any of the guests. But which one?
The Adventure of Johnnie Waverly
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 19 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Adventure of Johnnie Waverly, Poirot investigates the kidnapping of Johnnie Waverly, the three-year-old son of a wealthy couple in Surrey. Could the butler be in on the plot? And why were all the clocks in the house set ten minutes ahead at the time of the kidnapping?
The Case of the Missing Will
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 20 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Case of the Missing Will, Poirot must help clever student Violet Marsh meet the terms of an unusual will by her Uncle Andrew. She must live in his house for a month and prove her wits if she is ever to receive his fortune. But is there another will?
The Lost Mine
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 21 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Lost Mine, Poirot investigates the suspicious disappearance of a Chinese businessman in London. Suspicion is focused on two Englishmen, one of whom has an alibi and another who was in an opium den the night of the disappearance. However, a clear-cut case for Poirot soon becomes murky.
The Million Dollar Bond Robbery
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 22 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Million Dollar Bond Robbery, Poirot must prove the innocence of a young bank manager who has had a million dollars in bonds stolen from him while on a boat voyage to New York. Could it be one of his superiors? And why were the bonds being sold in New York before his ship arrived?
The Veiled Lady
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 23 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
Agatha Christie's short story, The Veiled Lady, Poirot's investigation of a jewelry heist intersects with a case of blackmail brought to him by a heavily veiled lady. The woman wants to retrieve an embarrassing letter from an extortionist, but is she telling the whole truth?
The Adventure of the Western Star
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 24 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In Agatha Christie's short story, The Adventure of the Western Star, Poirot investigates the case of a missing diamond, The Star of the East‚ belonging to Lady Yardly. But what is the connection between it and a similar diamond owned by the famous American film actress Mary Marvell? And why does a Chinese man want it returned?
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding
by Agatha Christie
read by Charles Armstrong
Part 26 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In this short story, Hercule Poirot is asked to attend a Christmas celebration in order to apprehend a jewel-thief who has taken advantage of an unwary Eastern prince. Full of English holiday tradition and plenty of intrigue, this holiday tale first appeared in the December 12, 1923 issue of The Sketch magazine.
The Under Dog
by Agatha Christie
read by Hugh Fraser
Part 28 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
Pretty Lily Margrave is not convinced that Hercule Poirot is needed in the matter of Sir Atwell's murder. At the request of her employer, Lady Atwell, she has already recounted what happened ten days ago in the Tower Room, and the victim's nephew has been charged with the murder. Nevertheless, Lady Atwell brings Poirot up to the great house, Mon Repos, to see if he can find out anything. While at first the family is struck by Poirot's ardent endeavor to uncover what befell Sir Atwell, his insistence on looking into every nook and cranny becomes too much for some to bear. A scrap of material, the contents of a tiny box, and his singular ingenuity lead the detective to uncover who is behind this violent act.
Triangle at Rhodes
by Agatha Christie
read by Sir Nigel Hawthorne
Part 34 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
October on the island of Rhodes is a veritable paradise of privacy, beauty, and calm-or so Hercule Poirot has imagined. The reality is quite different, as the arrival of famed Chanel beauty Valentine Chantry causes a ripple of malice to be felt across the island. She captivates at least one married man with her wiles and good looks, as her brooding husband watches on. Poirot senses that someone has murder in their heart, and he guesses right. As things come to a tragic head, only Poirot the quiet observer can piece together what has happened in this lover's triangle.
Murder in the Mews
by Agatha Christie
read by Sir Nigel Hawthorne
Part 36 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
In the title work in this collection of novellas, Poirot and Inspector Japp collaborate on the investigation of a suspicious suicide. The supernatural is said to play in the disappearance of top secret military plans in The Incredible Theft-an incredible claim, indeed, as Poirot will prove. The bullet that kills Gervase Chevenix-Gore shatters a mirror in Dead Man's Mirror-just the clue Poirot needs to solve the crime. And, while basking on white Mediterranean sands, Poirot stares trouble in the face-the beautiful face of Valentine Chantry, now celebrating her fifth marriage-in Triangle at Rhodes. This title was previously published as Dead Man's Mirror.
Yellow Iris
by Agatha Christie
read by Hugh Fraser
Part 37 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
An alarming telephone call, in which the phrases "it's life and death" and "the table with the yellow irises" are whispered, causes Hercule Poirot to rush to the luxuriant restaurant Jardin des Cygnes, desperate to stop an impending murder and find the person behind the voice on the phone. After bumping into an old acquaintance, he is invited to join a dinner party in full swing. But, just as the dancing and champagne are overflowing, a morbid announcement is made and the lights go out. By the time the lights come back on, everything has changed….
The Dream
by Agatha Christie
read by Hugh Fraser
Part 38 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
Hercule Poirot is reluctant to answer a letter demanding his services by the reclusive and eccentric millionaire Benedict Farley. Farley wants him to diagnose his recurring dream of death, in which he shoots himself at precisely 3:28 p.m. Then, a week after dismissing Poirot, the dream becomes real. Each member of the Farley household that Poirot questions seems to be more puzzled than the one before. Was Benedict Farley's death a suicide, or are darker forces at work?
Four-and-Twenty Blackbirds
A Hercule Poirot Short Story
by Agatha Christie
read by Hugh Fraser
Part 51 of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
Hercule Poirot is about to tuck into a very traditional English supper with his old friend Bonnington when a lone diner sparks his interest. Like clockwork, the man has eaten at the restaurant on Thursdays and Tuesdays for the last ten years, but no one on the staff knows his name. When "Old Father Time," as they have fondly nicknamed him, suddenly stops coming, Poirot believes that he might have picked up the one essential clue that could shed light on this mysterious man. Could what Old Father Time ordered as his final meal provide the key?
Hercule Poirot: The Complete Short Stories
A Hercule Poirot Collection with Foreword by Charles Todd
by Agatha Christie
read by David Suchet
Part of the Hercule Poirot Short Story series
At last, a single volume that gathers together all of the short stories featuring Agatha Christie's most famous creation, Hercule Poirot. The dapper, mustache-twirling little Belgian with the egg-shaped head and curious mannerisms has solved some of the most puzzling crimes of the century—and, in his own humble opinion, is "probably the greatest detective in the world."
In this complete collection of more than 50 stories, ranging from short tales to novellas, Poirot faces violent murders, poisonings, kidnappings, and thefts—all solved with his characteristic panache. Only Agatha Christie could have devised cases worthy of Hercule Poirot's skill and "little gray cells."
