Podcast Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode Title: Agatha Christie: The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (25-12-06)
Original Broadcast Date: December 25, 2006 (Radio play); Podcast Release: November 28, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Cast Highlight: John Moffat as Hercule Poirot

Overview

This episode features a radio adaptation of Agatha Christie's festive mystery, The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding, centering on Hercule Poirot’s reluctant immersion into an English country Christmas turned detective case. Poirot is summoned to protect the reputation of a foreign prince after a priceless ruby is stolen under scandalous circumstances. Under the guise of enjoying ‘an old-fashioned English Christmas,’ Poirot must untangle the theft at the grand manor, King’s Lacey, weaving through family intrigue, young love, and Yuletide traditions – and he soon suspects more than one guest is hiding dangerous secrets.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Poirot’s Reluctance and the Invitation

• [02:14] Poirot, disliking the English winter, is convinced by the diplomatic Mr. Jesmond to spend Christmas at Kings Lacey for an “important matter involving international consequences.”
• Mr. Jesmond explains a ruby, "The Heart of Fire," gifted to a prince on his engagement, has gone missing after the prince's indiscretion with a mysterious blonde woman.

“In the winter, I do not leave London, except perhaps for Egypt or the Riviera.” —Poirot [03:41]

2. The Setup at King’s Lacey

• [10:55] Poirot arrives amid an elaborate, traditional English Christmas with plenty of family and guests, including Sarah Lacey (the granddaughter), her suspicious love interest Desmond Lee Wortley, and Desmond’s supposed sister, Rebecca.
• Poirot learns about the family dynamics and Sarah's entanglement with Desmond, who is suspected of dubious financial dealings.

“We’re having rather a problem with Sarah… She’s completely spellbound when she’s with him… I have a nasty suspicion he lives off well-to-do girls.” —Mrs. Lacey [15:50]

3. Suspects & Motives Take Shape

• [20:21] Poirot investigates whom among the young women and Desmond might have the stolen ruby. The mysterious ‘sister’ Rebecca remains in her room, raising further suspicion.
• Overhearing conversations, Poirot ponders why several clues (such as a local airfield and sudden trips) align with potential smuggling plans.

“There is something in this business I do not understand…Why does he remain, particularly with Hercule Poirot in the house?” —Poirot [21:34]

4. Christmas Eve Antics and Warnings

• [25:00] Two young guests, Michael and Bridget, plan a mock “Christmas murder” to entertain Poirot. Poirot receives an anonymous, ominous note: “Don’t eat none of the plum pudding. One who wishes you well.”

5. The Climax: The Christmas Pudding

• [29:16] During Christmas dinner, the customary pudding is brought out. Poirot hesitates but partakes—only for a bright red jewel to emerge from the dessert.
• The ruby is identified as the missing Heart of Fire, but the mystery intensifies when questions arise about how it ended up in the pudding and who placed it there.

“Confound it, Emmeline, why on earth did you let Mrs. Ross put glass in the brain? There, you see? Might have broken a tooth or swallowed the damn thing.” —Colonel Lacey [32:15]

6. A Web of Deceit Unravels

• [41:45] Poirot slyly switches a cup of coffee offered by Desmond, suspecting a drug. That night, Sarah Lacey enters Poirot’s room, evidently searching for the ruby, but finds nothing.
• In the morning, the household is thrown into chaos when Bridget is found "dead" in the snow—a scheme that soon appears to have backfired and become a real murder… or has it?

“We thought we’d lay on a Christmas murder for you—just to make you feel at home.” —Michael [47:12]

7. The Real Theft and The Unmasking

• [55:00] After several twists, it’s revealed that Rebecca is not Desmond’s sister but his accomplice—and the original thief of the ruby. Desmond flees in his car, supposedly to contact the police, but in fact to escape.

“You mean you’re not his sister? Sister be damned.”—Rebecca [1:00:10]

• Rebecca admits Desmond used her to steal the ruby, and both intended to smuggle it via a nearby airstrip.

8. Poirot’s Ingenious Ruse

• [1:02:32] Poirot reveals the ruby found in the snow was a fake, and the true Heart of Fire was hidden as a decoration on the Christmas tree—safe from suspicion.

“Where better to hide it than among all the glass decorations?” —Poirot [1:02:40]

9. Resolution & Reflection

• The prince’s honor is saved, the criminals outfoxed. Poirot expresses newfound warmth for English Christmases, while family dramas resolve with relief and humor.

“I used to be like your Scrooge and say that Christmas was all humbug. And now? Now I think I could make a habit of it.” —Poirot [1:04:45]

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

| Timestamp | Quote/Description | Speaker | |-------------|--------------------------|------------------| | 03:41 | “In the winter, I do not leave London, except perhaps for Egypt or the Riviera.” | Poirot | | 15:50 | “She appears to have no will of her own at all… I have a nasty suspicion that he lives off well-to-do girls.” | Mrs. Lacey | | 32:15 | “Might have broken a tooth or swallowed the damn thing. Got appendicitis.” | Colonel Lacey | | 41:45 | “It was so uncharacteristic of the sullen and unobliging Desmond to bring me a cup of coffee that I was immediately on my guard.” | Poirot | | 47:12 | “We thought we'd lay on a Christmas murder for you—just to make you feel at home.” | Michael | | 55:45 | “She’s not his sister… The whole deal was that we were to fly to Paris and share the loot between us. He's fooled me, as no doubt he's fooled you, too, Sarah.” | Rebecca | | 1:02:40 | “Where better to hide it than among all the glass decorations?” | Poirot | | 1:04:45 | “I used to be like your Scrooge and say that Christmas was all humbug. And now? Now I think I could make a habit of it.” | Poirot |

Key Characters

• Hercule Poirot (John Moffat): Belgian detective, reluctantly at the center of the festive intrigue.
• Sarah Lacey: Granddaughter, potential suspect and Desmond’s besotted love interest.
• Desmond Lee Wortley: Charismatic, shifty “gentleman” with criminal leanings.
• Rebecca: Alleged “sister,” actually Desmond’s criminal accomplice.
• Mr. Jesmond: Diplomat seeking Poirot’s discretion to avoid scandal.
• Mrs. and Colonel Lacey: The traditionalist hosts.
• Bridget and Michael: Mischievous young relatives who stage a mock murder.
• Mrs. Ross: The cook, whose pudding becomes central to the mystery.
• Annie: Maid, inadvertently foils the plot by warning Poirot.

Noteworthy Plot Twists

• Rebecca and Desmond are not siblings but partners in crime.
• The ruby ends up in the Christmas pudding purely by mistake due to a swapped pudding mold.
• Poirot anticipated Desmond’s moves, safeguarding the real gem as a bauble on the Christmas tree.

Final Thoughts

This radio play exemplifies the vintage Agatha Christie holiday mystery, blending cozy nostalgia with sharp investigative wit. Poirot’s legendary methodical thinking brings a clever and festive denouement.

Recommended for…

Listeners who love:

• Classic, full-cast radio dramas
• Whodunits with festive themes
• Hercule Poirot’s signature style and British countryside ambiance