Ordeal by Innocence

by Joy Wilkinson (Adapter), Mark Umbers (Reading), Michael Bertenshaw (Reading)

A brand new BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel, known to be a favourite among her own works.

When Doctor Calgary visits the Argyle family, he believes he brings good news. He is there to clear the name of Jacko, who was convicted of the murder of his own mother, Rachel. But the doctor’s news is not greeted with the enthusiasm he expects, and the family seem intent on resisting both his help and the investigations of Inspector Huish.

When a further murder is committed, it becomes apparent that a killer is among the gathered party. With almost everyone having a motive and the means for murder, they must all be on their guard.

Eschewing the traditional detective format, Ordeal by Innocence examines how the innocent suffer more than the guilty when a crime goes unsolved. Along with Crooked House, it was Agatha Christie's favourite of her own works.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Agatha Christie

2 pages, Audio CD

Published June 19, 2014

Reviews

[Simon]

I'm a big fan of the BBC's dramatizations of classic mysteries but not this one. The adaptation is butchered. The story is reduced to a series of 30 second scenes so there's no flow to the story. Also the character motivation and logic are really weird. I haven't read this particular Christie novel so I don't know if it's true of the book but the characters' behavior makes little sense. The conflict feels forced and as does the protagonist's need to solve the crime. There's very little to like about this radio play, sadly.

[writer...]

#MarchMysteryMadness
#ClimbEveryMountain

[Alyson Walton]

Fantastic dramatisation of a Christie book I didn't know existed? Twisted tale of a supposedly happy family where there is a lot more than meets the eye.

[Jaclyn]

Fun, twisty mystery, and the BBC cast was excellent.

[Kimberly Martin]

This dramatization was pretty different from the original, changing some of the character’s personalities and even some of the plot. So although the acting was good, I would skip this one.

[David]

As Agatha Christie books go, I thought Ordeal by Innocence was pretty good, though, of course, this was a BBC Audio abridgment. The story involves Dr Arthur Calgary, who gives a man a memorable lift in his car, immediately goes on an Antarctic expedition, returns, is leveled by a lorry, and is in a coma for a long time. (OK, it's a little contrived.) When he awakens, he learns that the man he gave a ride to had been accused of a murder he definitely couldn't have committed because he was with Dr Calgary at the time of the killing. To make matters worse, the man died in prison awaiting trial, so the case was closed. The fact that this wasn't the killer means he or she is still at large, and likely a member of the household of the woman who was murdered. Who is the real killer? Dr Calgary intends to find out...

[Simon]

An OK radio adaptation of the book. The play's dialog was a little dry and repetitious. I think the BBC has lost its touch with its plays somewhat in recent years.

[Hannah Woycik]

phoebe waller-bridge ily