For starters, there are two unpublished Hercule Poirot stories in this wonderful book. When Agatha Christie died in 1976, Christie’s daughter, Roslind, found 73 handwritten notebooks full of lists, notes, and outlines of Christie’s novels, plays, and stories. John Curran deciphered Christie’s handwriting and organized the mountain of material into a useful volume for a Christie fan. I learned something new about Christie’s work on every page. If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie, this is a must-buy. If you’re a casual Christie reader, you’ll find plenty of interesting material here to make your reading experience deeper and more enjoyable.
I didn’t read it all but what I did read was indeed fascinating.
I only read the sections pertaining to the Christie mysteries I’ve read, Jeff. I’m saving the rest to read after I finish a Christie I haven’t read. I love the details!
It’s been a few years since I picked up a Christie. Sounds like this would be a good way to get reacquainted. Thanks for the tip!
AGATHA CHRISTIE’S SECRET NOTEBOOKS contains plenty spoilers so it’s best to read about a Christie mystery AFTER you finish it, Beth.
Interesting. This got such a range of reviews, from good to awful, even fictional in parts, that I steered away from it, though I am a Christie fan. Perhaps if I see it deeply discounted I’ll take a chance.
There’s plenty of interesting information in AGATHA CHRISTIE’S SECRET NOTEBOOKS, Rick. It’s a valuable reference book for Christie lovers.
I agree that this is a book to dip into George, rather than a book to read straight through
You’re right, Kerrie. After I read a Christie mystery, this book is my first stop to find out more.
How are the previously unpublished short stories? And any details about that supposedly mysterious trip of hers sometime in the ’30s, iirc?
Nothing on the mysterious trip, Todd. I enjoyed the unpublished Poirot stories, but the bar is set pretty low for Christie to amuse me.
Todd, are you referring to the incident (I believe it was in the late 1920s) where, after her husband asked for a divorce, she disappeared for several weeks and was later found to be living in a hotel under the name of her husband’s mistress? I don’t believe Christie ever explained what happened. I’ve read a biography that makes a good case for a complete breakdown: Christie had recently lost her grandmother and her great aunt within a few months of each other and dealing with the loss, clearing out their homes, and discovering her husband’s infidelity was too much for her. The incident gained a great deal of notoriety because she had just published THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD with its incredible twist ending and readers wondered if this were all part of a grand scheme on Agatha’s part.
Some snarky anti-Christie fans floated the theory that Agatha Christie staged that disappearance, Deb. I’m with you: she had an emotional breakdown caused by her husband’s infidelity and the deaths of her family members.
George, if you see this book at deep discount, let me know, please. You always seem to find the best prices.
Will do, Rick.
The author has put out a second book about her notebooks. I ordered it from the Mystery Guild yesterday. I’ve read all of Christie aside from her romance novels so reading it all didn’t bother me.
I’ll have to order the second book, too, Ray. Thanks for the heads-up!