Originally published in 1977 and out-of-print, this new edition of Christie’s autobiography includes a CD of the grand dame of mystery authors expounding on her life as a writer—making it especially welcome as a holiday treat for all Christie fans. Although Christie’s tales reportedly still sell in numbers only exceeded by the Bible and Shakespeare, and are almost as timeless, her life (1890–1976) and work go back a long way. If the descriptions of the happy (despite the death of her feckless father), comfortable Victorian-era childhood of a genius of genre strikes as a bit ingenuous, things become more delectable with maturity: the travels, the coming-out parties, the nursing career, first marriage, and first publication (The Mysterious Affair at Styles). Christie’s decision to utter not a word about her celebrated disappearance is as revealing as it is secretive. Her second marriage, to a younger Catholic archeologist, marks the beginning of the “satisfying” years (known to most people as the Great Depression). In all, after a somewhat tiresome first third in muted colors, this memoir fulfills the intention to extend by one year the 120th anniversary celebration of Christie’s birth. 8 pages of color, 16 pages of b&w photos. (Nov. 22)
This book proves as inspiring as it is charming and absorbing.” — Boston Globe
“Brisk and admirable….Capturing the experience of a generation too often made over-grim or over-glorious, it is the autobiography of a woman, not merely a writer.” — Los Angeles Times
“Especially welcome.” — Publishers Weekly
“Contains some wonderful treats....Christie writes with such wit and insight that all 542 pages fly.” — Cleveland Plain Dealer
“A fun read, full of detail about upper-crust life in the Victorian era and about Christie’s own surprise at finding herself a mystery novelist.” — Charlotte News & Observer
“The history of a unique upbringing in a time long gone. It’s a portrait of a childhood and young womanhood that vanished with World War I.” — Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
“Christie writes with a wonderful dry wit. It is fascinating to see how people she met became characters in her novels.” — Daily American
“Joyful adventure….She brings the sense of wonder…to her extraordinary career.” — New York Times Book Review
“Agatha Christie is no longer merely one of my favorite writers. She is now one of my favorite people.” — Chicago Tribune
“A delightful autobiography….Warm, witty and discerning.” — Los Angeles Times
“Wonderfully easy to read and engrossing.” — The Times (London)
“Agatha Christie’s most absorbing mystery – the story of her own unusual life. She has put it all on record: her early romances; a broken (and a happy) marriage; strange events on the path to roaring success.” — Daily Mail (London)
“A wonderful book—written with a delight in the gradual unfolding of 75 years through the eyes of an exceptional old lady and writer.” — Financial Times (London)
Agatha Christie is no longer merely one of my favorite writers. She is now one of my favorite people.
The history of a unique upbringing in a time long gone. It’s a portrait of a childhood and young womanhood that vanished with World War I.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Brisk and admirable….Capturing the experience of a generation too often made over-grim or over-glorious, it is the autobiography of a woman, not merely a writer.
Christie writes with a wonderful dry wit. It is fascinating to see how people she met became characters in her novels.
Contains some wonderful treats....Christie writes with such wit and insight that all 542 pages fly.
Joyful adventure….She brings the sense of wonder…to her extraordinary career.
New York Times Book Review
This book proves as inspiring as it is charming and absorbing.
A fun read, full of detail about upper-crust life in the Victorian era and about Christie’s own surprise at finding herself a mystery novelist.
Charlotte News & Observer
A delightful autobiography….Warm, witty and discerning.
Agatha Christie is no longer merely one of my favorite writers. She is now one of my favorite people.
Wonderfully easy to read and engrossing.
A wonderful book—written with a delight in the gradual unfolding of 75 years through the eyes of an exceptional old lady and writer.
Agatha Christie’s most absorbing mystery – the story of her own unusual life. She has put it all on record: her early romances; a broken (and a happy) marriage; strange events on the path to roaring success.
![The Mysterious Affair at Styles [Illustrated] (Hercule Poirot Series)](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/2940012762979_p0_v1_s90x140.jpg "The Mysterious Affair at Styles [Illustrated] (Hercule Poirot Series)")
