Mrs McGinty’s Dead - Full Review

by Agatha Christie

The talented Hugh Fraser reads this decidedly mediocre story, where Agatha Christie explores themes of the miscarriage of justice, heredity and greed in a country-village setting.

Hugh Fraser’s performance is excellent and fresh throughout, with good vocal characterisations. His delivery adds considerably to the story and is at all times sympathetic with the text in terms of pace and tone.

The core problem of the novel is introduced by the compelling and sympathetic character of Superintendent Spence – who having swallowed his pride, pleads for Poirot’s assistance in the resolution of a probable miscarriage of justice in which he has been intimately involved professionally. And which he is now deeply concerned about at a more personal and human level.

This determined and appealing character is sadly absent from much of the rest of the story.