Hercule Poirot's Silent Night

A Novel

By: Sophie Hannah

Narrated by: Julian Rhind-Tutt

The world’s greatest detective, Hercule Poirot—legendary star of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile—puts his little grey cells to work solving a baffling Christmas mystery.

It’s December 19, 1931. Hercule Poirot and Inspector Edward Catchpool are looking forward to a much-needed, restful Christmas holiday, when they are called upon to investigate the murder of a man in a Norfolk hospital ward. Cynthia Catchpool, Edward’s mother, insists that Poirot stay with her in a crumbling mansion by the coast, so that they can all be together for the festive period while he solves the case.

As Poirot digs into the mystery, he discovers that the murdered man was a retired post office master, and by all accounts very well-liked. The local constabulary’s investigation failed to uncover how someone could have entered a hospital room and killed him under the noses of the staff. Cynthia’s friend Arnold is soon to be admitted to that same hospital, and his wife is convinced he will be the killer’s next victim, though she refuses to explain why.

With no obvious motive or suspect, Poirot has less than a week to solve the crime and prevent more murders, if he is to escape from this nightmare scenario and get home in time for Christmas. Meanwhile, someone else—someone utterly ruthless—also has ideas about what ought to happen to Hercule Poirot…

©2023 Sophie Hannah (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Best So Far

Of Sophie Hannah’s few Poirot books, this one is the best thus far. Less jumbled, trying to over complicate things; more well crafted mystery.

Loved it!

The ending was a little disappointing, but overall it was great work and I love Julian’s voice!!

Even my husband listened with me at the end

She knows what she is doing! This is exceptional! The story was a little confusing with so many characters, but good enough that we stopped the story to ask questions and clarify.

Unlikable, boring characters

This book just wasn't fun. The cast of suspects are all thoroughly unlikable and it's a slog getting to know them. By the end I just wanted to be done so I didn't have to hear about any of them again.

Another great Sophie Hannah Poirot tale

It took me a while to finish this because I wanted to savor every moment. Now onto the best part, replaying from the beginning and catching all of the clues that I originally missed 😀

Great story

I like how this book is such a classic Christie, but at the same time is the author’s own story. And I’m glad there are some new Hercules Poirot books too!

Believable and surprising to the end

Really very well done story with a totally plausible plot that keeps you guessing to the very end. Perhaps my favorite of the mystery books written by Sophie Hannah.

This was a lot

Well read! Loved the story performance, but there were too many characters. It felt all over the place to me.

Thank you for more Poirot

As a life long lover of the mystery genre, my opinion is that Poirot is the best detective ever. The GOAT as it were. I’ve read, listened to and watched every story Agatha Christie created multiple times and loved them. Making new Poirot mysteries takes some serious guts, but Sophie Hannah clearly has the writing ability and cleverness to make it happen and has been amazingly successful. I could critique these stories and certainly it isn’t the same thing as the original, but the bottom line is I love having Poirot in action again and have nothing but gratitude for them. Thank you!

This one is my favorite so far. Great setting, humor, characters and plot twists. Really enjoyed it!

Very enjoyable suspense

Good suspense. Written very much like Agatha Christie. I enjoyed the voice actor that made lates the characters. Most enjoyable listen.