Agatha Christie - An English Mystery by Laura Thompson

A passionate and accomplished writer, Laura Thompson now turns her highly acclaimed biographical skills to Agatha Christie. Arguably the greatest crime writer in the world, thirty years after her death Christie's books still sell over four million copies worldwide a year.Thompson describes the Edwardian world in which she grew up,explores the relationships she had, includingthose with her twohusbands and daughter, andinvestigates the mysteries still surrrounding Christie's life - including her disappearance in 1926. Agatha Christie is a mystery and writing about her is a detection job in itself. But, with access to all of Christie's letters, papers and writing notebooks, as well as interviews with her grandson, daughter, son-in-law and their living relations, Thompson is able to unravel not only the detailed workings of Christie's detective fiction, but the truth behind her private life as well.

This was a most enjoyable read. Unlike many biographies, it does not seek to hide the more unexceptionable sides to the subject. Why did she disappear? A number of theories have been put forward, but I must admit that Laura Thompson's is the most plausible I've heard so far. Why does she write the books she does, the way she does? Answer in here.

All in all, Thompson makes a convincing argument as to Christie's motivations, strengths and weaknesses. She also manages to not dismiss Christie's writing, as a number of other people have. She was one of the most prolific writers ever [though not as prolific as the next biography I read] and remains popular. If you want to know why, read this book.

Buy this book online at Amazon, Amazon UK, Kalahari or Loot