Preview
  • 'Towards Zero' and 'Ordeal by Innocence'

  • By: Agatha Christie
  • Narrated by: Hugh Fraser
  • Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (882 ratings)

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'Towards Zero' and 'Ordeal by Innocence'

By: Agatha Christie
Narrated by: Hugh Fraser
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Publisher's summary

Two of Agatha Christies’ favorite novels now brought together in audio, just for you.

Towards Zero: What is the connection among a failed suicide attempt, a wrongful accusation of theft against a schoolgirl, and the romantic life of a famous tennis player?

To the casual observer, apparently nothing. But when a house party gathers at Gull’s Point, the seaside home of an elderly widow, earlier events come to a dramatic head. As Superintendent Battle discovers, it is all part of a carefully laid plan - for murder.

Ordeal By Innocence: According to the courts, Jacko Argyle bludgeoned his mother to death with a poker. The sentence was life imprisonment. But when Dr. Arthur Calgary arrives with the proof that confirms Jacko’s innocence, it is too late - Jacko died behind bars following a bout of pneumonia. Worse still, the doctor’s revelations reopen old wounds in the family, increasing the likelihood that the real murderer will strike again.

Be sure to catch the rest of the queen of mystery’s stories!

©1958 Agatha Christie Ltd. (P)2004 HarperCollins Publishers
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What listeners say about 'Towards Zero' and 'Ordeal by Innocence'

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A favourite of Christie's - and mine too!

"Ordeal by Innocence" was excellent - great pace, premise and definitely one of my favourites (I read that this was a favourite of her's too.)
"Towards Zero" was standard Christie fare.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

hugh Fraser!

To hear Captain Hastings reading these books... made me happy in a sad time. of course, the stories are great too. But I love Hugh Fraser, the real star of the Poirot series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Kept me guessing!

Two very different stories. Both entertaining. Wonderful performance by Hugh Fraser. I am glad I chose it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

IT'S AC - WHAT COULD BE WRONG?

Agatha really knew how to spin a story, as she proved again and again and again with her impressive output. These are fine tales and it's good they are packaged together as just one shortish novel is not enough to really enjoy as a feast.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Towards Zero - terrific!

A story that really pulls you in, even though it doesn't feature Poirot (although he is mentioned once) or Miss Marple. The characters spring to life in turn as the book progresses for an engrossing, entertaining mystery. The telling of the story is one of her best.It's almost like you're there! It makes you realize what a talent Agatha Christie really was.
Sometimes I look at my audio library and think I should branch out a little in my listening habits, but I find her books so relaxing and yet they make you think long after your listening session is over!
I highly recommend this - it is the first of two books, the other being "Ordeal by Innocence".
That one I haven't liked much so far - the modern setting and storyline are not quite what I like -in fact it strays quite a bit from her usual style - but we'll see as I listen further to the second book.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent!

One of Christie's best I think. Lots of characters so it's a real whodunit. Hugh Fraser is a wonderful narrator.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Fun duo!

I preferred Towards Zero to Ordeal by Innocence as far as stories go, but Hugh Fraser makes everything better.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another enjoyable listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you don't mind it not being one of Agatha Christie's primary sleuths, then this is a good book. It features a secondary character, Superintendant Battle.

What other book might you compare 'Towards Zero' and 'Ordeal by Innocence' to and why?

Secret of Chimneys

Have you listened to any of Hugh Fraser’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have many of Hugh Fraser's readings and they are always wonderful.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, but I was always glad to come back to it.

Any additional comments?

A very satisfying mystery and I recommend the Battle series of books.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not enough action

Great narration as always by Hugh Fraser however well read, the story would stagnate with too much “talk” from the characters. This one will not be one I would recommend.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Twists!

Both such good stories with so many twists to keep you interested and guessing! Hugh Fraser is always an incredible narrator as well.

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1 person found this helpful