So i love sophie hannah, and i am the biggest Agatha fan. I have read many of sophies poirot books before and they never fail to disappoint. I think Sophie is such a great writer that brings a great story to life with great writing. Its so much more than a page flipping novel, but a favourite for many.

When I came across The Killing at Kingfisher Hill, I had no idea that someone else other than Agatha Christie had written Poirot novels but Sophie Hannah has done an excellent job at keeping the Belgium detective alive and well with his friend Catchpool , together they have been asked to prove the innocence of Richard Devonport ‘s fiancée who admitted that she murdered his brother of Frank, but he’s not convinced, so he’s asked Poirot to investigate under the guise of being interested in his fathers board game Peepers, to get to the truth. At times I got totally confused with what was going on, but what saved this audiobook was Julian-Rhind-Tutt who does an excellent impression of Poirot.

The Killings at Kingfisher Hill was a very enjoyable read. I didn’t look for similarities or differences with Agatha Christie’s Poirot but just treated this book like any other. And I found it excellent and deeply satisfying - engaging writing style, interesting characters, plenty of twists, an unpredictable ending... It ticked all the boxes and not for one minute I got bored.
I read the book and simultaneously listened to the audio version, which was masterfully narrated. Perfection in every way!

Even though this book is not Agatha Christie, it has been able to capture her essence. Very entertaining and it is also nice to have a Poirot's mistery. Really recomend the audiobook version. I really liked the narrator.

A new Sophie Hannah Poirot novel is always a treat and this much-anticipated 4th outing doesn’t disappoint.

After an unexpectedly eventful coach journey and with the hapless Inspector Catchpool in tow, Poirot arrives at the Kingfisher Hill estate, the home of the Devonport family. His visit has been orchestrated by the family’s only surviving son, Richard Devenport in order for Poirot to prove the innocence of his fiancée Helen, convicted of the murder of his brother Frank.

If this isn’t enough to unravel, soon there is another murder for Poirot to solve.

As well as a satisfying plot, the novel is full of memorable characters. I would really love to see more of the brilliant and terrifying aunt Hester and her gormless nephew. I don’t know what it is about the combination of aunts and nephews, think “Travels with my Aunt” or any of the Bertie Wooster novels but they work so well. I’m not sure that anyone in any of the original Christie novels managed to best Poirot so spectacularly but it was brilliantly written and made me laugh out loud.

I was lucky enough to receive ARC editions of both the text and audiobook versions of this novel (I was desperate to read it) and would like to thank NetGalley, Harper Collins and Sophie Hannah for the opportunity to review them.

I have purchased and loved audiobook versions of the previous books in this series and think that Julian Rhind-Tutt’s delivery is wonderful. However good a novel is, it can be killed by a poor delivery. Luckily, this series has the perfect narrator to enhance it. Loved it.

Book Review: The Killings at Kingfisher Hill (The New Hercule Poirot Mystery) by Sophie Hannah

Audiobook Narrated by Julian Rhind-Tutt

📖 My thoughts on #TheKillingsatKingfisherHill 📖

There aren't many authors that I'd trust to take on Poirot but in Sophie Hannah's books the much loved Belgian detective is in very safe hands. She made the wise move of voicing the books through Catchpool who is Poirot's sidekick. This made the transition from Christie to Hannah feel very smooth.

I listened to the audiobook and can't praise the narrator enough. His narration is brilliant, and his accents just made the book such a joy to listen to. I enjoyed the mystery, and the slow build up to the crimes and then the explanation that joined the dots perfectly.

Poirot is his usual too-clever-for-words self, and Catchpool (and me) were so far behind that we weren't even in the race.

Overall this is cunning and creative and I love how grammar is key to everything.

🔘 Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers UK for giving me for giving me a copy of this book for review consideration. As always, no matter what the source of the book, you get my honest, unbiased opinion.🔘

Having recently enjoyed listening to the previous Poirot/Catchpole audiobook , I was very pleased to see this offered as a review copy. Julian Rhind Tutt once again copes admirably with bringing the characters to life and his narration is always a pleasure. Unfortunately, I found the story to be quite tedious and most of the characters to too boring and annoying to care about. Catchpole is portrayed as a pathetic idiot, how he ever got such a good CID job is beyond me. The story itself dragged on far longer than it should have done, and the denouement barely saved it. Sorry but it just didn't do it for me this time.

Another entertaining Hercule Poirot story!
I thought the narrator was very good and his characterizations were spot on.

Poirot and Catchpole must travel to the Kingfisher Hill estate to solve the murder of Frank Devonport. Is Helen Acton guilty of the murder or not? Why would she admit to killing him?

It's a classic whodunnit with lots of twists and turns and Sophia Hannah is definitely a very good choice in carrying on with the Poirot legacy. Here and their things got a bit confusing for me but overall I found it a good story

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins audio UK  for the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sophie Hannah is a fitting heir to Agatha Christie's legacy. This is her fourth Golden Age re-imagining of Poirot's return, and very enjoyable it is to read too.

Like Agatha Christie, Hannah excels at plots that twist and turn before the great detective reveals all.

In this one, Poirot is travelling down to the the Kingfisher Hill estate, to which he has been summoned by Richard Devonport, who wants him to prove that his fiancee, Helen, is innocent of the murder of his brother, Frank. But he must keep his mission secret. The story runs on from there, with a damsel in distress, a rising body count and a sinister note.

Hannah keeps the tension mounting and the plot surprised me at some points. A great read for those who love a Golden Age mystery and the little grey cells.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance audiobook.. As a Agatha Christie fan I wasn't sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. Hercule Poirot is called to Kingfisher Hill by Richard Devonport to clear his fiancee Helen who had admitted killing his brother Frank. Poirot and his companion Catchpool take the coach to Kingfisher Hill and the drama begins.

I have read all Sophie Hannah's books including her Poirot ones. I feel that she certainly knows how to weave a complex and engaging plot and this book is know different. However, Sophie is also very good at creating 'annoying' characters. Ones that do things 'just because' or who become fixated on an issue or point and will not be rationally persuaded otherwise. That sometimes can make her books frustrating to read. I also think her Poirot is much more arrogant or conceited that Agatha Christie's was - every other statement he makes is highlighting his intelligence over others especially Catchpool. Whilst this was a feature of the original Poirot I think it is too much in these books and again makes him unlikable rather than endearing.

3.5 / 5 ✪

https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2020/08/24/the-killings-at-kingfisher-hill-by-sophie-hannah-review/

It is 1930. Hercule Poirot is traveling by coach to the illustrious Kingfisher Hill Estates when he uncovers a murderer. Prior to the tale’s start, Richard Devonport had written the famous detective and requested he come to the Estates to investigate the murder of his brother, Frank. A year previous, Frank had fallen to his death within the Devonport’s house of Little Key. The incident was ruled a murder, with Richard’s fiancée Helen as the prime suspect. Helen has been arrested and is awaiting hanging, as the authorities are convinced of her guilt. But Richard is not as convinced.

But on the coach to Kingfisher Hill, Poirot uncovers yet another mystery. A woman is convinced that she will be murdered if she sits in a certain seat. To allay her fears, the detective switches seats with her. Putting him next to a woman that later confides in him that she herself has committed a murder. But when the woman disembarks before he does, will Poirot be able to find her again? And how can he solve a murder that he knows all of the details of, yet none of them names for?

This is all before reaching Kingfisher Hill Estates, where another murder mystery awaits. One that may be connected to the hysterical woman, may be connected to the self-confessed murderer, or may be an entirely separate mystery entirely. All that is certain is that Poirot and his associate Catchpool are in for a difficult week, one that they’ll never forget.

First off, Hercule Poirot doesn’t ride in coaches. That’s a thing—look it up.

As a fan of Agatha Christie’s original Hercule Poirot, when Sophie Hannah originally revived the series, I was somewhat dubious. But as we approach the fourth book in the renewed series, I figured it was time to give it a try. By book four, Hannah has had time to fine tune her portrayal of the Belgian detective. And she does a pretty decent job of it. But as I’ve mentioned previously, there are exceptions to this.

All in all, I actually found the book enjoyable, though it took me a bit to warm up to it. This is helped quite considerably by the narrator—Julian Rhind-Tutt—who did such an incredible job as Poirot, that I had to double-check that David Suchet wasn’t actually involved. While I had issues with the depiction of Poirot himself, the mystery is really quite a good one; enjoyable, challenging, interesting, full of twists and turns. As a mystery, I’d say it’s probably a 4+ star read. As a continuation of Agatha Christie’s classic detective however—it leaves a little to be desired.

As Hastings occasionally was before him, Edward Catchpool acts as a friend and narrator for the brilliant detective—one that, while he infrequently picks up on Poirot’s hunches, is most often in the dark. It took me quite a bit of time to warm up to Catchpool enough that I didn’t find him simply exhausting. He’s a bit of a dry narrator. I mean, Hastings wasn’t exactly colorful and interesting. He was English. Old Empire English. But Catchpool seems to be a bit more of a bore, in addition to being even slower on the draw. He is frequently behind Poirot in even the most obvious of deductions, though every now and then he has his moment. It’s done this way for a reason—to make Poirot seem more impressive and amazing. But while Hastings was a captain in the British Army, he was no detective. Edward Catchpool is supposedly an Inspector of Scotland Yard, so he really should be less hopeless.

Poirot just feels different. It’s mostly little things; the bit about the coach, the perhaps inflated sense of superiority. He doesn’t mention any bit of his history beyond that of Hannah’s last novel. There’s actually little I can pinpoint exactly. Poirot seems nearly (nearly!) normal. His ego, his methods, his attention to detail, his cleanliness are all on point. Combined with Cacthpool’s dry witticisms, it’s almost like the old Poirot is back. It’s like running into an old friend, but their recollection of history is different and some of their mannerisms are wrong. But they look the same, they talk the same, and more than anything it’s good enough to have them back that you don’t want to look too closely lest you be disappointed.

TL;DR

Like an old friend you haven’t seen in years, Sophie Hannah’s Hercule Poirot looks like you remembered, sounds like you remembered, and is more than anything a sight for sore eyes. Provided you don’t look too closely. Otherwise you’ll unearth a slightly stranger looking Poirot—one that shares much in common with his predecessor, but is subtly different. Nothing too overt here, but his mannerisms, his inflated sense of ego, his peculiarities, his knowledge of and regard for his own history—are all off. If you take the mystery as it is, it will seem an interesting, twisting, and often exciting distraction from the world. But should you look too close, you may just find a doppelgänger masquerading as an old friend. Someone that has nearly fooled you once, but won’t again.

This is a clever continuation of the Hercule Poirot. Series by Agatha Christie. It brings the reader right back into the atmosphere and era in which her hero flourished. Anyone who loves Poirot will recognise his trademark little grey cells and his vocal mannerisms. It is a slower pace of crime fiction and this one takes place centred around a family with all its petty hatreds and alliances. The plot is tied up neatly and nothing strikes a wrong note. I did find it slightly repetitive in style when explaining the nuances of the plot but couldn’t recall if this was Poirot rather than any author! Agatha fans can brave these continued stories without fear that their beloved author has been sullied. I loved having this as audiobook too! Thanks NetGalley!

I have been a huge Agatha Christie fan my whole life. Poirot is my boy. I have read all of Sophie Hannah's interpretations of Poirot and have enjoyed them all so was so excited to read the next instalment.

Hannah for me does a brilliant job recreating the world in which Poirot exists, I never feel like I'm just reading a story by a different author, if that makes sense. I always feel like Agatha herself would have written this story too. Admittedly I didn't love the last story, but this one had me completely enthralled. For me, part of the fun of Christie's mysteries is trying to figure out whodunnit along with the detectives. I honestly did not see a lot of this coming, true to my original readings of Poirot as a child. I just loved the twists and turns and intrigue of this story and I desperately hope there's more to come from Sophie Hannah!

This was my first time listening to an audiobook of this series and oh my goodness I think I might have to read any future books via audiobook too. I had previously listened to the original stories narrated by Hugh Fraser and David Suchet who play the main characters in the tv adaptations so a lot of my enjoyment of the audiobooks comes from nostalgia I think. Julian Rhind-Tutt however did a truly excellent job of playing the nuances of Poirot and does a brilliant job as inspector Catchpole. I would love to see these books adapted into a show with him playing the same character.

5/5 Stars!

The Killings at Kingfisher Hill by Sophie Hannah
Narrated by: Julian Rhind-Tutt
Publication Date: August 20, 2020 - Out Today!
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Description from NetGalley...
“Hercule Poirot is travelling by luxury passenger coach from London to the exclusive Kingfisher Hill estate, where Richard Devonport has summoned him to prove that his fiancée, Helen, is innocent of the murder of his brother, Frank. But there is a strange condition attached to this request: Poirot must conceal his true reason for being there.
 
The coach is forced to stop when a distressed woman demands to get off, insisting that if she stays in her seat, she will be murdered. Although the rest of the journey passes without anyone being harmed, Poirot’s curiosity is aroused, and his fears are later confirmed when a body is discovered with a macabre note attached…
Could this new murder and the peculiar incident on the coach be clues to solving the mystery of who killed Frank Devonport? And if Helen is innocent, can Poirot find the true culprit in time to save her from the gallows?”
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Thank you to @NetGalley @harpercollinsca @harpercollinsuk @harpercollins for the audiobook ARC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts...
I have read the first three books of the Hercule Poirot Mystery by Sophie Hannah, and this 4th one does not disappoint. I have a collection of Agatha Christie books, I’m a big fan, so you can imagine how ecstatic I was when Hannah started writing these books. I have looked forward to these books and thanks to the tagged publishers I was able to listen to this new audiobook. I thought this book was fantastic. There were characters that I didn’t like (that’s a good thing) and I really enjoyed how the story was so plot-driven. And then there’s Julian Rhind-Tutt! His narration alone is worth listening to this book (also a great actor). His voices, inflections, accents were just incredible. I was immersed in the story and I just enjoyed all the twists and “re-twists.”

The annual treat of a Sophie Hannah Poirot mystery, I find myself looking forward to them. Naturally, they are not like Christie's original work and I don't think that was ever her intention, Christie's books are "to the point", you can render them into a screenplay without much editing, so precise and sharp is everything. Hannah's stories are more involved, more complex, more about the characters and their motives, however, where I think both ladies are great is at creating brilliant puzzles. Yes, the way they are told is different, but I am here for the puzzles. I was thoroughly entertained and had an advance audiobook which was a delight to listen to while doing chores around the house, I was so hooked on the book that I have done way more than originally planned. Now I shall look forward to next year.

As a lifelong Agatha Christie fan I thought it inconceivable that someone would take over her writing and found it very hard to get used to the “new” Poirot. However I have persevered and the series is definitely growing on me.
The book contains all the usual mysteries, murders, red herrings and denouements you’d expect as well as capturing Poirot’s little idiosyncrasies. The only thing that grates for me is the sheer dull-wittedness of his companion Inspector Catchpool although that provides the perfect foil for our favourite “little Belgian” detective I suppose. Other than this it is an enjoyable murder mystery.
I’m sure that the main reason why I enjoyed this one in the series was the narration of the audiobook by Julian Rhind-Tutt. He embodied Poirot and his range of characters was superb. Top marks.

The latest addition to the new Poirot series from Sophie Hannah does not disappoint! It is clear why the Christie estate are happy to leave this beloved character in her capable hands.

The book starts with two very improbable events on a coach journey while Catchpole and Poirot are on their way to investigate a country house murder. This part of the book was almost reminiscent of the less well known Agatha Christie thrillers.

The murder mystery plot is clever and kept me guessing. It’s not often you have the problem of too many confessions. I thought I saw some twists coming but of course I was completely wrong! I recognised some familiar Christie plot devices but Hannah uses them in a fresh new way to build this intriguing puzzle mystery.

The audiobook is excellent. Julian Rhind-Tutt gives an excellent performance. His voices give depth and reality to the characters, it really feels like a full cast production.

Thanks to Harper Collins for the Advance Review Copy audiobook via NetGalley.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3504536236

Post coming tomorrow on Instagram @velvetnettle

Source: Review copy
Publication: 20th August 2020 from Harper Collins
Length: 8hrs 54’
ASIN: B0844ZGZGP

The world’s greatest detective, Hercule Poirot – legendary star of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile – returns to solve a fiendish new mystery.

Hercule Poirot is travelling by luxury passenger coach from London to the exclusive Kingfisher Hill estate. Richard Devonport has summoned him to prove that his fiancée, Helen, is innocent of the murder of his brother, Frank. There is one strange condition attached to this request: Poirot must conceal his true reason for being there from the rest of the Devonport family.

On the coach, a distressed woman leaps up, demanding to disembark. She insists that if she stays in her seat, she will be murdered. A seat-swap is arranged and the rest of the journey passes without incident. But Poirot has a bad feeling about it, and his fears are later confirmed when a body is discovered in the Devonports’ home with a note that refers to ‘the seat that you shouldn’t have sat in’.

Could this new murder and the peculiar incident on the coach be clues to solving mystery of who killed Frank Devonport? And can Poirot find the real murderer in time to save an innocent woman from the gallows?

I’ve not read any of Sophie Hannah’s Hercule Poirot books before, though I do have another audiobook in my library to try, so I was intrigued to see what it might be like, as Poirot novels are among my favourite Christies.

Poirot and his Scotland Yard companion Inspector Edward Catchpool, who, like Captain Hastings before him, is our narrator, are on their way to Sussex. It’s quite difficult to imagine Poirot on a coach, but we must suppose he had no other means of getting to his destination.

The coach is full and of course there are a number of occurrences which pique Poirot’s curiosity, not least of which is a woman who boards the bus and who claims she has been warned she will be murdered if she sits in a specific seat.

Poirot and Catchpoole are on a mission and an undercover one at that. Poirot has been asked by Richard Devonport to investigate the murder of his brother, Frank, a murder for which Davenport’s fiancée Helen Acton is currently in Holloway Prison, having confessed to his murder.

Devonport is convinced of Helen’s innocence. The Devenports live in a large mansion in an exclusive Sussex estate. Patriarch Stanley is a bull-headed man and his wife, Lilian is seriously ill. Poirot and CatchPoole endeavour to maintain their disguised personae – that of board-game enthusiasts – but it is not long before that pretence has to be cast aside as events somewhat overtake them. When another murder takes place the pair are then in a position to mount an official investigation. So now we have the large affluent country house, the cast of characters many of whom are related to each other and a potentially innocent woman languishing in prison having confessed to a murder her fiancée believed she could not possibly have committed. So far, so very Christie.

Hannah builds a complex, twisted and labyrinthine plot with many red herrings and lots of clues dropped and partners swapped. It’s enough to make the little grey cells swim. Catchpoole doesn’t seem all that much brighter than Hastings, which is a tad worrying given that he is a Police Inspector; however that gives Poirot the opportunity to show off his skills in a teacher to pupil fashion.

It is, I think, a decent homage to Christie and faithful to the spirit. What really makes this audiobook work though, above all, is the fantastic narration of Julian Rhind-Tutt who is a master at voices and inflexions and really brings the whole book alive. It’s worth it just for his narration alone. I’m in awe of his skills – as I was when he played Rumpole in the BBC dramatisations – and he’s a terrific actor.

Verdict: Though perhaps a little overly convoluted, plot-wise, Sophie Hannah does a decent job of re-creating all the classic elements of a Christie novel and building in the types of character we have come to know and love. It is clear that she knows her Christie novels well and this is reflected in what we read and hear. I enjoyed the audiobook a great deal and will certainly be back to listen to more Poirot’s in this form.

I was given an audio arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was my very first audio book.
Narrator Julian Rhind-Tutt
His reading sets a mood and interpretation right from the start giving you the atmosphere that something mysterious is just waiting round the corner.
Like an afternoon radio show with the characters expertly read especially Inspector Catchpool.
I have seen all David Suchet Poirot series so had difficulty with comparing the voice style of Julian Rhind Tutt. Those who have not read or seen the original Poirot series will enjoy this style more.
The pacing of the book can be a bit slow especially if you have to leave and return to the story a few times.
This Hercule Poirot mystery starts with a coach journey to the Kingfisher Hill estate where he has been summoned by Richard Devonport to solve the murder of his brother. Richard’s fiancé has been arrested for the murder and has only days to live. He takes his friend Inspector Catchpool on the journey but they have two more mysteries involving women on route which muddy the waters.
There will be many twists and confessions before Poirot does his usual reveal.