Synopses & Reviews
As he did in the Edgar
®-nominated and Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards-winning
Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks, Christie expert and archivist John Curran once again examines the unpublished notebooks of the world's bestselling author to explore the techniques she used to surprise and entertain generations of readers.
Drawing on Christie's personal papers and letters, he reveals how more than twenty of her novels, as well as stage scripts, short stories, and some more personal items, evolved. Here are wonderful gems, including Christie's essay on her famous detective, Hercule Poirot, written for a British national newspaper in the 1930s; a previously unseen version of a "Miss Marple" short story; and a courtroom chapter from her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, which was edited out of the published version in 1920; plus an insightful, well-reasoned analysis of her final unfinished novel, based on the author's notes and Curran's own deep knowledge of Christie and her work.
A must-read for every Christie aficionado, Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making is a fascinating look into the mind and craft of one of the world's most prolific and beloved authors.
Review
“With a greater emphasis on the queen of crimes inner life, Christie expert Curran reveals both Christies dedication to her craft and his own enthusiasm for his subject in his engaging follow-up to his 2010 Agatha Christies Secret Notebooks.....Even 120 years after her birth, the allure of Christie continues, and this volume will rightly prolong her reign.” < i=""> Publishers Weekly <> (starred review) on < i=""> Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making <>
Review
“Curran sheds light on the method of crafting a mystery story by the worlds most popular writer of whodunits.” < i=""> Iron Mountain Daily News <> on < i=""> Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making <>
Review
“Currans analysis of these notes in the context of Christies life is first-rate.” < i=""> Cleveland Plain Dealer <> on < i=""> Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making <>
Review
“This is a wonderful companion piece to [Christies] autobiography and a must-read for every Agatha Christie fan. It provides a unique look into one of the worlds most successful authors.” < i=""> Daily America <> on < i=""> Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making <>
Review
“Not a book to read in one sitting, but one to love: a sumptuous buffet for fans who wish the Queen of Crime had lived forever.” < i=""> Kirkus Reviews <> on < i=""> Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making <>
Synopsis
John Curran reveals the secrets of the worlds greatestmystery writer in Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making, the fascinating follow up to Agatha Christies SecretNotebooks featuring moreinsight into Christies captivating life story and a new windfall ofChristies unpublished work—including letters, archival papers, and a keenly incisive analysis of Christies last, unfinished novel.For readers new to Christies mysteries and for life-long fans of Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, and Tommy and Tuppence, eitherfrom classic Christie novels like Murder on the Orient Express or fromthe popular Masterpiece Theater adaptations, “Currans discoveries will shapehow Christie is read.” (Independent on Sunday).
About the Author
John Curran is the longtime literary adviser to Agatha Christies estate. For many years he edited the official Agatha Christie Newsletter and acted as a consultant to the National Trust during the restoration of Greenway House, Christies Devon home. He lives in Dublin, where he is writing a doctoral thesis at Trinity College.