The Sittaford Mystery by Agatha Christie with Hugh Fraser (Narrator)

A 1931 Agatha Christie standalone. I am noting the years now as we are going through a lot of her oeuvre which covered more than five decades. After the midwinter one, I wanted to continue with the cold theme. This novel was set in a snow storm and featured a very plucky heroine named Emily Trefusis. It leant gothic in a very good way and it was enjoyable watching Emily try to work out the mystery. As usual, Fraser was fantastic.

August 9-17, 2026.

Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977-2002 by David Sedaris (Narrator)

I held off on these diaries because I was not sure if I would like Sedaris’s more random musings especially considering how long these diary collections are (14 hours for this one). I found it hard to listen to most of the book especially the 1970s and the 1980s. Society was more openly misgoynistic, homophobic, and racist. Sedaris was using a lot of drugs and was depressed for some of this earlier period as well. I started to enjoy things more when he met his life partner Hugh and they moved to France. I will continue with the next volume since he became a tad more lighthearted.

August 13-22, 2026.

The House by Paco Roca with Andrea Rosenberg (Translator)

A reflective graphic novel about three siblings who return to their Dad’s cottage after his passing. Meditation on grief, ageing, and the usual family dynamics and quirks. I am not sure why but sometimes I could not always follow the flow of the panels as easily. Another person in my book club felt the same way.

August 22, 2026.

Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie with Hugh Fraser (Narrator)

Poirot #36 1969. We noticed the time shift from the last 1931 Christie to this one. This is the latest of the Christie novels we’ve read together. There were differences in thinking about gender, mental illness and criminology between the novels. As this book’s victim was a child, the whole tone of the book was rather dark. We found it a tad slow and overwritten until the ending. There were too many characters and details. The ending was great as usual and one twist made us gasp. It was over the top and I can see how other people would hate it. We do like books when they add in a little melodrama. Overall, the novel was not enjoyable as other Christie’s.

August 18-23, 2026.