The mystery of Mrs.Christie, Marie Benedict

In December 1926 Agatha Christie was going through some rough times. Her mother died that Summer and her husband Archie told her he wanted a divorce so he could marry his new love, Nancy Neele.

At the beginning of the month, she disappeared for 11 days. A nation wide search was launched, and many believed her husband was responsible. After 11 days Agatha was found in a hotel, where she had been staying under the name Mrs. Neele.

Agatha claimed to have amnesia and she never admitted what happened. Even in her autobiography she only says something like ‘there is no need to say more about it’.

So, it remains a mystery, but this gives filmmakers and writers the opportunity to have a little fun with it and make up their own version.

The mystery of Agatha Christie by Marie Benedict is a new novel, that tries to give an explanation for the disappearance. And she does that really well, I think.

The book is partly the story as told by Agatha of how her marriage to Archie began, all the way to the moment it all went wrong.

In between are chapters where we see how Archie is dealing during the days his wife is missing and the mounting suspicion against him.

The end is an exposé in true Christie-tradition, with a good twist!

I loved how you while you read the book, have certain ideas about the characters, (Archie is a shit) but slowly you begin to doubt it, or not? (Archie was still a shit at the end) Is what you read reliable or not? And what happened? 

It is well written and full of good details about the time and Agatha Christies life. I love Agatha Christie, and I am glad to have this novel on my shelf as well!

 

Published in 2021

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