Diksia.com - If you are a fan of crime fiction, you have probably heard of Agatha Christie, the most famous and prolific writer of the genre. She is known for her ingenious plots, memorable characters, and surprising twists that keep readers guessing until the end.
She created two of the most iconic detectives in literature: Hercule Poirot, the Belgian sleuth with a magnificent moustache, and Miss Marple, the elderly spinster with a keen eye for human nature.
She also wrote several standalone novels, short stories, plays, and even romance novels under a pseudonym. In this article, we will explore the life, works, and legacy of Agatha Christie, the queen of crime.
Early Life and Career
Agatha Christie was born on September 15, 1890, in Torquay, England. She was the youngest of three children of a wealthy American father and a British mother. She had a happy childhood, surrounded by books and animals.
She was educated at home by her mother, who encouraged her to write stories. She also developed a passion for music, singing, and theatre.
She married Archibald Christie, a military officer, in 1914, and had one daughter, Rosalind, in 1919. During World War I, she worked as a nurse and a pharmacist, which gave her a knowledge of poisons that she later used in her novels.
She published her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, in 1920, introducing Hercule Poirot to the world. She continued to write and publish regularly, gaining popularity and recognition.
The Disappearance and the Divorce
In 1926, Agatha Christie’s life took a dramatic turn. Her mother died, and her husband asked for a divorce, having fallen in love with another woman. On December 3, she disappeared from her home, leaving behind a note saying she was going to Yorkshire.
Her car was found abandoned near a lake, with her fur coat and suitcase inside. A massive search was launched, involving thousands of police officers, volunteers, and even airplanes. The media speculated wildly about her fate, suggesting suicide, murder, or amnesia.
She was finally found on December 14, at a hotel in Harrogate, where she had checked in under the name of her husband’s mistress. She claimed to have no memory of what had happened, and never spoke publicly about the incident.
Some believe she suffered a nervous breakdown, while others suggest she staged the whole thing as a publicity stunt or a revenge plot. The mystery remains unsolved to this day.
She divorced her husband in 1928, and travelled to the Middle East, where she met her second husband, Max Mallowan, a young archaeologist.
She accompanied him on his expeditions, and used the exotic locations and cultures as inspiration for some of her novels, such as Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, and Murder in Mesopotamia.
The Golden Age of Detective Fiction
The 1930s and 1940s are considered the golden age of detective fiction, and Agatha Christie was at the peak of her creativity and popularity. She wrote some of her best and most famous novels, such as The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, And Then There Were None, The ABC Murders, and The Murder at the Vicarage.
She also introduced Miss Marple, the elderly lady who solves crimes by observing human nature, in a series of short stories and novels.
She experimented with different styles and formats, such as writing from the perspective of the murderer, using multiple narrators, or incorporating nursery rhymes and puzzles into her plots.
She also wrote several plays, including The Mousetrap, which opened in London in 1952, and became the longest-running play in history, with over 25,000 performances.
She also adapted some of her novels for the stage, such as Witness for the Prosecution, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture in 1957.
Later Years and Death
Agatha Christie continued to write until her old age, although her output and quality declined in the 1960s and 1970s. She suffered from arthritis, and possibly Alzheimer’s disease, which affected her memory and language skills.
She died on January 12, 1976, at the age of 85, from natural causes. She was buried in the churchyard of St Mary’s, Cholsey, near her home in Oxfordshire.
She left behind a legacy of over 80 novels, 19 plays, and hundreds of short stories, which have been translated into more than 100 languages, and sold over two billion copies worldwide.
She is the best-selling author of all time, and the most widely read writer in any language, after Shakespeare and the Bible.
She has been honoured with many awards and recognitions, such as the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America, the Order of the British Empire, and the Guinness World Record for the best-selling fiction writer of all time.
Why Read Agatha Christie Books?
Agatha Christie books are not only entertaining and thrilling, but also educational and enlightening. They offer a glimpse into the history, culture, and society of the 20th century, as well as the psychology and motivations of human beings.
They challenge the reader to use their logic, imagination, and intuition to solve the mysteries, and to appreciate the art and craft of storytelling. They also showcase the diversity and versatility of the crime fiction genre, and the genius and creativity of Agatha Christie, the queen of crime.
If you are looking for a good place to start, here are some of the best Agatha Christie books that everyone should read:
- The Mysterious Affair at Styles: The first novel featuring Hercule Poirot, who investigates the murder of a wealthy widow in an English country house.
- The Murder of Roger Ackroyd: A controversial and groundbreaking novel, where the narrator is not what he seems, and the twist is one of the most shocking in literature.
- And Then There Were None: A masterpiece of suspense, where ten strangers are invited to an isolated island, and one by one, they are killed according to a nursery rhyme.
- Murder on the Orient Express: A classic whodunit, where Poirot has to find the killer among a dozen passengers on a snowbound train.
- The Murder at the Vicarage: The first novel featuring Miss Marple, who investigates the murder of a disliked colonel in her village of St Mary Mead.
- The ABC Murders: A clever and complex novel, where Poirot faces a serial killer who follows an alphabetical pattern, and leaves a copy of the ABC Railway Guide at each crime scene.
- Death on the Nile: A romantic and exotic novel, where Poirot has to solve a murder on a luxury cruise on the Nile, involving a love triangle, a stolen pearl necklace, and a mysterious woman in a veil.
- The Mousetrap: A play that has been running continuously in London since 1952, where a group of strangers are trapped in a guest house during a snowstorm, and one of them is a murderer.
- The Witness for the Prosecution: A short story and a play, where a lawyer has to defend a man accused of murdering a rich widow, and faces a stunning revelation in court.
- Curtain: The last novel featuring Hercule Poirot, who returns to the scene of his first case, Styles, to face his final and most dangerous adversary.
Conclusion
Agatha Christie is a legend of crime fiction, and a master of storytelling. Her books are timeless and universal, appealing to readers of all ages, backgrounds, and tastes. They are full of mystery, suspense, humour, and charm, and they never fail to surprise and delight.
Whether you are a fan of Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, or any of her other characters, you will find something to enjoy and admire in Agatha Christie books.
So, what are you waiting for? Pick up one of her books today, and join the millions of readers who have been captivated by the queen of crime.
