Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? ~Agatha Christie
–first publication, 1934
–audiobook published 2007
–BBC Audiobooks America
–7 hours, 15 minutes (unabridged)
–4.25/5 stars
Robert “Bobby” Jones, son of a local vicar, finds himself in the unpleasant circumstances of being the only one present to hear the last words of a gentlemen who has apparently fallen off a cliff, “Why didn’t they ask Evans?”. His curiosity aroused, he enlists the help of his dear friend Lady Frances “Frankie” Derwent and soon they are off doing their best interpretations of amateur detectives. As too-clever-for-their-own-good young people are fond of doing in these Agatha Christie mysteries, they quickly find themselves involved in a case where they, along with the reader, are presented with multiple red herrings before the truth is at last revealed.
This is the third of these slight yet engaging mysteries featuring spirited young English socialites that I have had the pleasure of reading. Or listening to, would be more accurate. As I have listened to each one, I cannot help but find myself comparing them favorably to my favorite P.G. Wodehouse novel, Something Fresh. Though Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? is not as farcical and madcap as a P.G. Wodehouse novel, it possesses a similar British wit and a penchant for quick romantic attachment that is found in many a Wodehouse story. Before I go any further, I have to point out that I really enjoy these three Agatha Christie stories (The Seven Dials Mystery, The Man in the Brown Suit, and Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?) that I’ve listened to. I like them a great, great deal.
When it was released in 1934, the Times Literary Supplement ended their review stating, “Mrs Christie describes the risks (Bobby Jones and Frankie Derwent) ran in her lightest and most sympathetic manner, playing with her characters as a kitten will play with a ball of wool, and imposing no greater strain on her readers than the pleasure of reading at a sitting a story that tickles and tantalizes but never exhausts their patience or ingenuity”.
Such a perfect description. By today’s standards Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? might be harshly judged as being formulaic fluff. I don’t view it that way at all. Agatha Christie’s trademark talent in throwing suspicion around is present in spades and at the end of the day I enjoy reading, or listening, to a story like this for the same reasons that I enjoy British television shows like The Vicar of Dibley, The Darling Buds of May, Mulberry, and As Time Goes By–there is a warm sentiment that tugs ever so gently at the heart strings as well as a playful quality that both consciously and unconsciously draws the viewer/reader/listener back to simpler times, even if those simpler times are merely a product of an imagination touched by nostalgia. Yes, you do know without a shadow of doubt that Christie’s characters are going to find their way out of any kerfluffle she leads them into, be it of their own ingenuity, a set of timely coincidences, or an 11th hour deux ex machina. Does it matter that you know? Not at all. The pleasure is in the time spent with the characters, light and fluffy as they may be and in trying to decide before the great reveal exactly whodunit.
This unabridged audio presentation was read by the lovely and talented Emilia Fox, as were The Man in the Brown Suit and The Seven Dials Mystery. I am quite enamored with her reading voice. She does such a wonderful job with both the male and female characters and inhabits each role with pitch perfect emotion. Whenever I hear Emilia Fox or Hugh Fraser reading Agatha Christie, it makes me feel like these audio books are true spiritual descendants from the radio plays of a bygone era. I have yet to actually pick up and “read” an Agatha Christie book and I’m not sure that will change any time soon. With the plethora of books read by Fox, Fraser and Poirot actor David Suchet (all of whom I have listened to and enjoyed), I cannot think of a more perfect way to experience the Dame of British mysteries.
I don’t seem to have a review of The Seven Dials Mystery, but here is a link to:
The Man in the Brown Suit
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This audio book is a selection for the R.I.P. V Challenge
and the
The BBC version of this story from a couple years ago was enjoyable, too. I believe they took some liberties with the storyline, as all adaptations do, but it’s worth renting if you have a chance.
Sprite: I had looked that up earlier and I think there is a much older BBC version that is much more faithful to the story and then they did a recent version with Ms. Marple and from the synopsis I read did just what you said, took liberties. I like the new Ms. Marple (she reminds me of my grandmother), so I could probably go ahead and watch this new one and enjoy it despite it not being a faithful adaptation.
Great review. It so nice to be really taken by something. I would love to read them too now. Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm.
This is one of the Poirot books that was dramatized on Mystery! with David Suchet playing the title role to perfection. It and the others in the series are available on DVD.
This sounds like it is not at all typical Agatha Christie–she was very versatile, wasn’t she? I have The Man in the Brown Suit to read (book) so I will have to try that soon. I just read Endless Night, which I enjoyed but not as much as the Miss Marple mysteries I’ve read. She’s be fun to listen to on audio.
Danielle: These three novels that I mention in this post (and The Secret of Chimneys, which is a prequel to 7 Dials) are very different from what I had come to expect of Agatha Christie through watching Marple and Poirot all these years. And they are very different from the Poirot stories I have listened to. She is very versatile.
Richard: That doesn’t surprise me at all. They have done 7 Dials that way as well, which turned out to be a bit annoying after reading and liking the story so much because they chose someone who was very likable in the story and made them the murderer.
Caroline: It is, and you are welcome.
This is one of my fav A. Chrsitie stories. I also liked the film very much. I just hated the fact that the guy who played Bobby Jones then went and played the villain in The Seven Dials mystery. That put me off.
I loved the solution to the problem and the characters.
Rikki: Yes, it is annoying when that happens. It is hard to get one character out of head sometimes when an actor is playing someone so opposite.
This sounds like a Christie story that I would enjoy. Actually, the audiobook seems the way to go once I am done with the tome I am currently entranced with…. 40 hours of listening intrigue.
By the way, I agree, sometimes knowing that the characters will indeed get out of a mess, etc. does not matter when the reader/listener is greatly enjoying the characters themselves.