Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie: audiobook vs book, which should you choose?
This is a collection of winter stories by Agatha Christie, some with Poirot and Miss Marple, and the audio edition may not include all of them.
Short answer: for the Midwinter Murder audiobook vs book choice, we say either works (50% confidence, close call). Fenella Woolgar reads it: 7 hours 55 minutes (7h 55m) on Audible UK, and about 9 hours 54 minutes in a US edition that a library record says holds eleven stories. Contents differ: one reader counted about seven stories on the UK audio against twelve in print, so check the story list. No criterion could be confirmed on either side.
Either works
No criterion could be confirmed on either side, so neither format is favoured.
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Confidence 50%, which puts it in the close call band. Bands run from close call at 50 to 64, through leaning at 65 to 79 and clear at 80 to 94, up to clear cut at 95 and above.
The audiobook at a glance
| Recording | UK edition, scored (HarperCollins) | US edition (Harper Audio) |
|---|---|---|
| Narrator | Fenella Woolgar | Fenella Woolgar |
| Length | 7 hours 55 minutes (7h 55m) | 9 hours 54 minutes (9h 54m), per Audiobooks Now and Hoopla |
| At 1.5x | about 5h 17m | about 6h 36m |
| At 2x | about 3h 58m | about 4h 57m |
| Abridged or unabridged | Not stated | Unabridged (library record) |
| Audio publisher and year | HarperCollins, released 1 October 2020 | Harper Audio, 2020 |
| Stories | Not confirmed (a blogger counted about seven) | Eleven (library record) |
| Subtitle | None | Fireside Tales from the Queen of Mystery |
Same narrator, two lengths: the UK and US recordings differ by about two hours. With the two equally produced and released the same year, the UK edition is named as scored. Its story list is not confirmed.
Lengths checked 23 October 2026. Speed times are calculated.
Midwinter Murder
Agatha Christie
- Genre
- Classic crime; short stories
- Published
- 2020 (in the US subtitled Fireside Tales from the Queen of Mystery)
- On audio
- 7 hrs 55 mins (UK), Fenella Woolgar
- Detectives
- Some stories feature Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple
On this page
Why we reached this verdict
Every book on this site is checked against the same thirteen questions. They are based on research into what most people find easier to follow in each format, not on whether the book is any good.
No listening or reading criterion could be confirmed from a named source, so neither format is favoured. Confidence is 50%.
The recording in detail
- Scored
- Fenella Woolgar, HarperCollins, 2020, 7h 55m
- Other recording
- Fenella Woolgar, Harper Audio (US), 2020, 9h 54m, eleven stories
- Listener reception
- Woolgar praised; her Poirot divides listeners; no critic review found
- What you miss
- Possibly some stories, depending on the edition
What this book actually is
Midwinter Murder is a 2020 collection of Agatha Christie’s winter-themed short stories, some featuring Hercule Poirot and some Miss Marple. In the US it is subtitled Fireside Tales from the Queen of Mystery. A reader notes that only one or two of the stories are actually set at Christmas.
The Audible UK blurb names A Christmas Tragedy and Christmas Adventure, and a listener says the UK audio ends with The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding. The US edition includes the original version of Christmas Adventure.
The case for reading it
The case for reading is that print may include every story. A blogger counted about seven stories on the UK audio against twelve in the print edition, so print may give you every story. Print also lets you read one story at a sitting and come back, which suits a collection.
The case for listening to it
Fenella Woolgar reads every story, voicing a wide cast and range of accents, and listeners call her “a wonderful narrator”. Some are less keen on her Poirot. Separate stories also suit listening one at a time.
The audiobook in detail
Fenella Woolgar reads both editions. Audible UK lists a HarperCollins recording released on 1 October 2020 at 7 hours 55 minutes; its story count is not confirmed. The US edition from Harper Audio runs 9 hours 54 minutes, per Audiobooks Now and Hoopla, and a library record says it holds eleven stories on eight discs.
Speed times for the UK recording: about 5h 17m at 1.5x and 3h 58m at 2x (calculated).
Who should ignore this verdict
Anyone who wants every story: check the list on the listing before buying the audio, or go to print. Poirot fans who are particular about his voice may also prefer print, since Fenella Woolgar’s Poirot divides listeners.
Audiobook
- Read by Fenella Woolgar
- 7h 55m on Audible UK; the US edition is longer
- Check which stories are included
Kindle
- May include more stories than the UK audio
- Easy to read one story at a time
Read differently from most people? The app, coming soon, will let you switch off any of the thirteen checks. Get notified →
Related verdicts
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas
A Poirot Christmas mystery, a close call for audio.
Murder on the Orient Express
Poirot on a stranded train, where a full cast gives it a Listen verdict.
Letters from Father Christmas
A Christmas book of letters and drawings.
Start hereHow we decide
The thirteen questions behind every verdict on this site.
❄ See every Christmas book, read or listen →
Questions people ask
Who narrates the Midwinter Murder audiobook?
Fenella Woolgar reads both the UK and US editions.
How long is the Midwinter Murder audiobook?
7 hours 55 minutes on Audible UK. The US edition from Harper Audio runs about 9 hours 54 minutes.
Does the Midwinter Murder audiobook include every story?
Not necessarily. A blogger counted about seven stories on the UK audio against twelve in print, and a library record lists eleven on the US audio. Check the story list on the listing.
Should I read or listen to Midwinter Murder?
Either works, on our checks (50% confidence, close call). No criterion could be confirmed on either side, so neither format is favoured. Print may give you more stories.
Is Midwinter Murder all Christmas stories?
No. The stories are winter-themed, and a reader notes only one or two are set at Christmas.
Do you agree with this verdict?
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How this verdict was reached
Every book on this site is checked against the same thirteen questions, set in advance and applied identically to every title. They are based on research into what readers and listeners generally find easier to follow in each format, not on personal preference, and they are published in full so you can check the reasoning yourself. Verdicts are never paid for, sponsored or influenced by affiliate partners.
- The criteria: read the thirteen questions in full.
- What we checked for this book: Audible UK’s listing and author page, Audiobooks Now, Hoopla, a library CD record, Blackstone, the Portobello Book Blog, and Open Library for the cover.
- Verdict last reviewed: 23 October 2026. Editions and narrators change, so verdicts are rechecked annually.
- Prefer different criteria? The app, coming soon, will let you change which of the thirteen questions matter to you.
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