TV review - The ABC Murders

Starring John Malkovich, Rupert Grint, Tara Fitzgerald

BBC1 21:00 Wednesday

Nearly 2 years ago I did a count down of the best episodes of David Suchet's tenure as Agretha Christies dapper Belgian dective Poirot. Coming out on top was The ABC Murders which in a bit of mischief was aired on ITV3 just before this new 3 parter started. This version finds Poirot alone in the world and having to make do with hosting murder theme parties. Just as the same Poirot starts receiving taunting letters from a taunting killer however when he goes to Scotland Yard in the hope of receiving help from his good friend Inspector (Kevin McNally) Japp he finds that he has retired and when he goes to visit him he dies from a heart attack. Poirot then finds himself dealing with a younger policeman (played by Grint) who has no respect for Poirot and even questions his background. This new continues the grim and gritty vein of recent Christie adatatopms by Sara Phelps, One victim is a very hateful character who flaunts her sexuality in an manner that when she turns up dead on a beach you glad she is dead. Another loathsome character is landlady played by Shirley Henderson who rents out her daughter for her tenants sexual needs, Not without it's problems such as Grint even with a moustache looking far too young to be a senior policeman, this version of The ABC Murders is not for every one

The ABC Murders continues tonight and concludes tomorrow.