2¢ Worth: Problem at Pollensa Bay is like a sample platter. It features pint-sized portions of some of The Queen of Crime's different characters and styles. It's 5 bites of mystery and 3 bites of unconventional romance.
Wooed: Before reading Problem at Pollensa Bay, I had no idea that darling Aggie had other reoccurring characters other than Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. I was delighted with my introductions to the Mr. Satterthwaite, Harley Quin, and Parker Pyne. Mr. Parker Pyne is a rather unorthodox and yet amusing sorta sleuth while Mr. Quin (with help from his partner in debunking crimes Mr. Satterthwaite) has an unearthly magical way of appearing at the precise moment he is needed.
Words aloud: The narrator, the late Jonathan Cecil, was a true professional. His native British English is well enunciated and easy on the ears. My only complaint was his occasional American accent. It was just off. Despite that he was really good. His Hercule Poirot was fabulous.
Wholly: Overall I could have done without the unconventional romances but I relished the mini Cluelike mysteries. Nobody does a mystery like Agatha and I'm hooked on listening to hers now. I must get more. This is a great audio for someone looking for some light summer listening or an introduction to Agatha Christie.
Wind-up: Problem at Pollensa Bay and Seven Other Mysteries (released 4/10/12 by AudioGo) was written by Agatha Christie, narrated by Jonathan Cecil, and consists of 4 discs (5 hours and 3 minutes). Audiobook rating: 4 stars. Narrator rating: 4 stars.
Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com
It sounds like I need to try a Christie on audio!
ReplyDeleteI am now greatly regretting not snapping the super cheap Agatha Christie audiobook CDs on sale last week :(
ReplyDeleteOooo how cheap were they?
Delete£3 per CD... that's US$5/CD (I think)
DeleteO that is a good price! :)
DeleteI never thought of doing Dame Agatha on audio, but I'm intrigued now. I also love the fact that it's short - sometimes I just feel weighed down by the 10+ hours of most books. Also, if you want to try some of the other side characters, I LOVE the Tommy and Tuppence books - kind of Nick and Nora-ish married couple, and very entertaining.
ReplyDeleteAmen girl!
DeleteI feel ya!
:)
I must try T&T! :)
I looooove Nick & Nora.
Hmmm...I still don't like audio...I would read this, though!
ReplyDeleteRight on :) Do you like Agatha Christie? :)
DeleteHi Juju! How's baby Whimsy doing?! I see you're still enjoying your audio books. I've listened to four audios this year which is more than I've listened to in my entire life. I loved Rob Lowe's Story I Tell My Friends (but I read that one first and loved it then too). I also listened to Andy Cohen's Most Talkative recently and enjoyed that...highly recommded if you watch Bravo or the Real Housewives. Have you read any of the Sookie Stackhouse books? I listened to the two most recent ones on audio. I like the narrarator of those, but the stories are starting to drag. Looking forward to the ending of that series. Hope you're having a great vacay!
ReplyDeleteSweet Joy darling! How are you? Baby Whimsy is doing awesome! She's 6 1/2 months now, has two teeth, and two more on the way.
DeleteHow are you and your family?
I'm listening to Rob Lowe right now (it's become the road audio for me and Mr. Whimsy). I agree it's SO good.
I've been actually considering Sookie.
You'll have to let me know if you continue with it.
I've heard sooo much about the series.
Thank you darling!
*hugs*
Do you guys have any summer plans?
Do you know I have never picked up an Agatha Christie book and I have no idea why! I really need to give her a go because people always rave about her mysteries, and I loves me a good mystery.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a mystery sampler, and I think it would be fun to LISTEN to a mystery as opposed to reading one as usual.
You so should.
DeleteI've only tried a couple so far but I've loved them.
:)
I always take notes on the mystery to see if I can catch on to the clues, but she always stumps me.
I don't think this book is for me, but hey I do like the cover. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice cocktail cover :)
DeleteHow fun! I would have never guessed Agatha Christie wrote unconventional romances, but the mini-mysteries sound intriguing!
ReplyDeleteMe neither. I didn't love them. But I'm SO loving Aggie on audio.
DeleteI love Agatha Christie! And now I am curious about the unconventional romance she mixed in.
ReplyDeleteProceed with caution. They're not the best. But they are interesting in that I enjoyed seeing her stretch her writing chops.
DeleteGotcha!
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed it Juju! Still...audiobooks, just not my cup of tea. Don't believe this story will wind up on my "to read" list, but enjoyed your enthusiasm about it just the same. Happy reading ...err, listening!
ReplyDeleteThanks doll :) And I love your happy listening! :D
DeleteI have a collection of Agatha Christie books, but have never thought about an audio. It doesn't matter how many notes you take, there is always one piece of crucial info left out.
ReplyDeleteGirl you are SO right (about notes). I try and try and always end up pinning it on the wrong guy or girl.
DeleteI was just thinking I would like to read more good mysteries. I'm not always impressed with the YA variety so maybe it's time I turned to the classic Christie books. Thanks for the rec!
ReplyDeleteOh that's a great idea.
DeleteI have the same issue with YA mysteries and cozy mysteries for that matter.
Great review! I've only just begun to read Agatha Christie but I really enjoyed the three mysteries I read!
ReplyDeleteOh awesome! :)
DeleteI am going to read my first Agatha Christie this month. I am really excited :)
ReplyDeleteYayyy which one?
DeleteOh mini mysteries sound like fun! I like how you described it as a sample platter, sometimes that's exactly what I'm in the mood for!
ReplyDeleteThanks :D
DeleteMini mysteries are little pockets of happiness and fun. Fab review Juju :)
ReplyDeleteTrue! :)
DeleteThe reason why I love listening to British narrators is because they do make English words sounds so crisp and correct, so I know I'd enjoy Cecil. I have yet to listen to an Agatha novel on auido, but now I'm going to make it a mission to do so.
ReplyDeleteYes! And they have this way of being funny and snarky with word play.
DeleteGreat review, Juju! I must check the library for Agatha audios. Unconventional romances aside, this sounds like a great collection.
ReplyDeleteAh, I love Agatha. I hadn't thought of listening to any audiobooks...but I'm thinking they might be perfect for my commute in the fall (internship is starting but it's an hour away from home...blergh). Also, to piggyback on another comment I enjoyed the Sookie series for the first couple of books, but I'd say I was probably done with them by book 4/5. Hope family Whimsy is well :)
ReplyDeleteO great :)
DeleteGood luck on your internship!
Is it somewhere cool?
Thank you for your input.
Another good but not for long.
Good to know.
;)
sounds like a good one for me.
ReplyDeleteYay :)
DeleteOh, Agatha on audio has to be amazing. I haven't considered listening to her before, but I think you convinced me that I need to check her out!
ReplyDeleteYay! :D
DeleteI should listen to this, I've always wanted to know how to pronounce Satterthwaite. Incomprehensible to me, my English is failing after living in Asia so long!
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad. It's a hard name. :)
DeleteI've been wanting to pick up "Murder at the Vicarage" for awhile(or anything by Agatha)! I still haven't read anything by her.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've tried that one. Good luck!
DeleteI loved Evil Under the Sun.
I use to read a lot of mystery and yet I have never read Agatha Christie. I know it's like reading YA and never reading Harry Potter but let me not mention that I haven't read that either. Back to mystery while I have not read anything by her I always knew who she was and that she was very important in mystery. I'll keep this book as a possible to read.
ReplyDeleteNo Aggie or Harry?
DeleteWhoa.
Have you ever seen the movies? :)
I used to listen to audiobooks all the time....maybe your prompt means it is time to start again!!
ReplyDeleteYes do :)
Deleteoooh a classic!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a winner!
ReplyDeleteThat's funny you mention about the American accent being off. I feel that with Cora in Downton Abbey. Can you believe I've never read an Agatha Christie novel? Yikes!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen it but I instantly now what you mean.
DeleteIt just feels forced.
I bet they think that about us alllll the time.
You must change that.
Especially because her stories are so fabulously old world.
:)
Just these names alone makes me wonder: have you read the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger? I really think that they would be right up your alley!
ReplyDeleteI tried the books but didn't love it.
DeleteMaybe I should try the audios? :)
Thanks for the recommendation.
I've yet to read Agatha Christie. This sounds like a good introduction in audio form.
ReplyDeleteTotally :)
Delete"Unconventional" romance? I am intrigued!
ReplyDeleteI've yet to read an Agatha Christie novel, though I've heard amazing things. I don't read much mysteries in general, although I like TV crime shows. Go figure.
How funny that you say that. I don't do TV crime shows but I looove mysteries. ;) Go figure indeed.
DeleteOolala "British/English" accent you had me at hello!
ReplyDeleteLOL ;)
DeleteI love how there was a combination of mystery and an unconventional romance! I've only read 'And Then There Were None' by Christie and loved it so I definitely need to have more of her writing in my life! I should try the audio book too, thanks Juju! :)
ReplyDeleteNo prob :) Let me know if you do. I can't wait to hear your thoughts.
DeleteOh I love everything about this. British accents, mystery, Agatha... *sigh* And I like the idea of listening to it on cd. :0)
ReplyDelete