THE SITTAFORD MYSTERY

For listeners who know and love Agatha Christie, this BBC Radio production satisfies moderately. For those who know Christie less well, it will satisfy admirably. The story is a classic. In the midst of a Dartmoor blizzard, cocktail-party friends play a table-tipping séance-game during which a murder is announced. What silliness, they think, until they learn that someone was murdered at the moment they were playing their game. Quality British actors render the mix of village characters expertly, and sound effects--from closing doors to crunching snow--add to the pleasure. A couple of complaints: Springtime chirping birds are used repeatedly to signal winter outdoor scenes, and the story’s Australian characters sound so English that listeners miss an important plot point. But don't let those problems stop you, as this is a satisfying listen. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 05]