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Ordeal by Innocence

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

A full-cast BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel, known to be a favourite among her own works.

When Doctor Calgary visits the Argyle family, he believes he brings good news. He is there to clear the name of Jacko, who was convicted of the murder of his own mother, Rachel. But the doctor's news is not greeted with the enthusiasm he expects, and the family seem intent on resisting both his help and the investigations of Inspector Huish.
When a further murder is committed, it becomes apparent that a killer is among the gathered party. With almost everyone having a motive and the means for murder, they must all be on their guard.
Eschewing the traditional detective format, Ordeal by Innocence examines how the innocent suffer more than the guilty when a crime goes unsolved. Along with Crooked House, it was Agatha Christie's favourite of her own works.
Cast:
Calgary...Mark Umbers
Gwenda...Jacqueline Defferary
Kirsten...Wanda Opalinska
Hester...Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Jacko...Arthur Hughes
Leo...Sean Murray
Mickey...Joel MacCormack
Tina...Carys Eleri
Philip...John Norton
Mary...Priyanga Burford
Marshall...David Seddon
Huish...Michael Burtenshaw
Doctor...Harry Jardine
Hotel Receptionist...Georgie Fuller
Adapted by Joy Wilkinson
Directed by Mary Peate

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  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Mary Argyle seemed like a paragon; since she had no children of her own and lots of money, she persuaded her husband to adopt a varied brood. During the War years, there were many desperate mothers and homeless children. Many years later, she is murdered, and we learn that things were not as genteel as they seemed. Everyone did NOT love Mary, and the suspects are numerous. Veteran narrator Robin Bailey captures the emotions and sounds of an earlier era in this classic Christie title. Fans of nostalgia and Christie should love it. S.G.B. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      The reopening of the case of the murder of Mrs. Argyle confronts her family with endless questions and suspicions. The unraveling of relationships as past events are scrutinized presents an excellent choice for audio. Christie's superb plotting lends itself to the telling of the tale, and Robin Bailey's masterful pacing makes the reader as unnerved as the family of suspects. The internal voices of each character are smoothly and subtly done, projecting very credible emotions. Bailey also enlivens the dialogue with judicious use of accents and inflection. Though the characters aren't as colorful as some of Christie's others, the compulsion to resolve the crime propels the characters as well as the listener. R.F.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:650
  • Text Difficulty:2-3

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