In 1926, Agatha Christie was married to her first husband Archie Christie and together they had a young daughter. Archie was having an affair and wanted out of the marriage. If you know the history of one of the most celebrated authors of the 20th century, it is common knowledge that the marriage did not last. And on December 3, 1926, Agatha disappeared for eleven days. It was front page news. Some called it a hoax, a publicity stunt as Christie’s newest book was publishing the next month. But once Agatha resurfaced, all she would say was that she couldn’t remember what happened.
In The Christie Affair, talented author Nina de Gramont has decided to fill in the blanks reimagining the eleven days of Agatha Christie’s disappearance. The story is told from the perspective of Nan O’Dea, a fictionalized version of Archie’s real mistress, Nancy Beele. Agatha, with typewriter in hand, decides to take some time away from home to write and deal with the possible loss of her marriage. While in the British town of Harrogate, Agatha hides out in a country home and Nan stays at a local hotel/spa. Nan meets an interesting group of guests, and a murder soon occurs in the hotel.
Through flashbacks, we learn of Nan’s sad background and her devastating losses. While not an overly sympathetic character, we come to understand her, and it becomes plausible how a bond develops between Nan and Agatha. Agatha does not believe that Nan loves Archie and discovers why Nan is so determined to become the second Mrs. Christie. This enjoyable book is about the relationship of the two rivals, the love interests who enter the picture during the eleven days and a clever murder mystery, which was my favorite part.
I am normally not a fan of books that create an alternative reality of true history and real people, but the author has created an inventive story that is at its most entertaining when viewed as pure fiction.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in advance of its release.
Rated 4 out of 5 stars.
Historical Fiction.
Publication Date: February 1, 2022.
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