The Moving Finger: B2 (Collins Agatha Christie ELT Readers)

In the hushed town of Lymstock, nothing stays hidden for long, and the entrance of Jerry Burton and his sister Joanna into this tranquil settlement sets the stage for a series of unforeseen events. “The Moving Finger,” a captivating audiobook by Agatha Christie and skillfully narrated by John Hasler, sweeps listeners into a world of mystery and suspense like And Then There Were None and The Secret Adversary.

The Burton siblings, having recently moved to Lymstock for Jerry’s convalescence following a flying accident, find themselves amid the town’s humdrum routine. Yet, under this seemingly calm surface, a sinister undercurrent lurks. An anonymous letter writer is sowing seeds of discord and suspicion among the residents, with scandalous rumors and accusations targeting the seemingly innocent.

Jerry Burton, our lead character, is initially nonchalant, dismissing the letters as juvenile pranks. Still, the situation takes a grave turn when the recipients of these cruel letters start succumbing to their emotional distress, culminating in the unfortunate demise of a resident, Mrs. Symmington. The letters, initially thought harmless, are now perceived as a lethal weapon, turning Lymstock’s tranquility into palpable tension.

Simultaneously, the relationship between the characters further complicates the plot. The beautiful yet aloof Megan Hunter, the stepdaughter of the deceased Mrs. Symmington, catches Jerry’s attention, her raw honesty contrasting with the town’s duplicity. On the other hand, the intrusive yet intuitive Miss Marple, an old friend of Joanna’s, brings her detective instincts to the fore, her keen eye observing the minute details that others easily overlook.

Moreover, the elusive Mr. Pye, the dashing Dr. Griffith, and the kind-hearted Partridge, the Burton’s housemaid, all play pivotal roles in the story, each of their actions and interactions pushing the plot forward in significant and surprising ways.

The drama reaches its peak when another character, the unsuspecting Mona Symmington, is found dead. With two deaths and the ominous letters, Lymstock’s placid exterior shatters completely. It is now up to Miss Marple and Jerry, an unlikely team, to unravel the truth behind these disturbing events. Their quest leads them through a labyrinth of hidden secrets, deceit, and personal vendettas, testing their perception and intuition at every turn.

John Hasler, with his nuanced narration, masterfully conveys the mounting tension, subtly capturing the distinctive personalities of Christie’s characters. His narration carries us through the deceptive calm of Lymstock to the chaos lurking within, making the listening experience an immersive one.

“The Moving Finger” is a riveting tale that weaves together the threads of mystery, human nature, and the power of perception. It is a story of how peaceful facades can mask a menacing reality, and how the determination to reveal the truth can often lead to startling revelations. It is a testament to Agatha Christie’s prowess as a storyteller, transporting listeners into a world where nothing is as it seems, and one can’t help but be completely enthralled.