The Christie Affair

A novel about Agatha Christie set in Harrogate
I love Agatha Christie – especially those she appears in herself. This was a very interesting take on a well-known story – those 11 days when she disappears from her marriage and her life.
The story is told by Agatha’s husband’s mistress. Now I thought that might be strange at first as did I care what the mistress thought? Well, turns out, the author has made her human and someone with a voice. She’s a very complex person with an interesting backstory of her own. Not condoning her in any way – plus Archie the husband is the bad guy here – but it was interesting to listen to her voice. I didn’t like her, but she intrigued me. What did she know about Agatha’s disappearance?
I got to know Agatha a little more too, but it’s Agatha’s marriage rather than the woman herself which is examined. We see the struggles Agatha and Archie go through, what Nan adds to the mix and the mental anguish that poor Agatha faces.
You do get a good look behind the scenes of that time and can really believe that this version of events is true.
There’s not just one story in this novel, however. In Christie’s vein, this contains mystery, murder, red herrings, teenage mothers, the role of women in society, and marriage struggles. This all takes place against the backdrop of the Great War which was changing the whole world and everyone in it.
Setting, mystery, landscape, and iconic literary characters come together to create magic here.