Towards Zero is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie first published in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company in June 1944, and in the UK by the Collins Crime Club in July of the same year. The novel was well received at publication, noted for the well-developed characters. A later review called it superb as to the plot, noting also how well the novel depicted the gentlemanly behaviour expected at the main tennis tournament in 1944. Audrey Strange is on the verge of facing the court, has become a suspect for the murder of an elderly aristocrat woman at her house, Gull’s Point. With all pieces of evidence point to her, there is little doubt about her being guilty to anyone but Superintendent Battle. For the look in her eyes reminds him of his daughter’s. Sylvia Battle admits having stolen a number of things at school. Miss Amphrey, the headmistress, summons her father to lay all the facts against the sixteen-year-old girl. Interestingly, there is no evidence in the case but Sylvia’s confession. ‘I wanted, not to confront her with her guilt, but to get her to admit it herself. I set a little test for her – a word association,’ says Amphrey. Whilst Superintendent Battle does not answer to her accusation, to his daughter he says: ‘…you are not a thief. You’re a very unusual type of liar…’ On a night in September Angus McWhirter revisits Sharkhead near Gull’s Point. For months beforehand he attempted to take his life on that spot. You can listen online to free English audiobook “Towards Zero” by Agatha Christie on our website. Enjoy it!
