The Novels of Agatha Christie
Queen of Crime and Creator of Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot
Oct 10, 2009
Agatha Christie was born Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller in Torquay, England, and grew up within an unusual but happy household. Her early career was nothing to do with the writing role that would later make her so famous, yet served as an excellent preparation for her novels: she worked first as a nurse and then at a pharmacy, perhaps explaining why so many of the murders in her books are committed with poison.
The Disappearance of Agatha Christie
She married Archibald Christie in 1914, and it was the discovery of his infidelity in 1926 that prompted one of the most famous episodes of Christie's career. On December 3rd, Archibald left the family home to visit his mistress; that same evening Christie simply disappeared. She left a letter for her secretary saying she was going to Yorkshire, and despite huge media publicity, her exact whereabouts remained unknown for eleven days.
She was eventually discovered staying at a hotel in Harrogate, Yorkshire, staying under a false name, and although many were quick to offer reasons for her behaviour, Christie herself never commented on the episode.
Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple
Well-known as this famous disappearance may be, it cannot come close to overshadowing the enormous professional achievements of Christie's career. Her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, was published in 1920, and marked the first appearance of the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. The little man with the distinctive moustache went on to appear in 33 novels and 54 short stories, and has also been immortalised for television audiences by actor David Suchet.
Christie's other well-known character, elderly amateur sleuth Miss Jane Marple, first appeared in a 1927 short story entitled The Tuesday Night Club. She was rumoured to have been based on Christie's grandmother, and although she appeared in far fewer books than Poirot, Christie herself was much fonder of the gentle but nosy spinster.
Miss Marple has certainly been a favourite with television audiences, and has been played by Joan Hickson, Geraldine McEwan and, most recently, Julia McKenzie.
Success of The Mousetrap
In all, Christie wrote 80 detective novels, and these have deservedly led to her being known as the "Queen of Crime". As well as being the best-selling and most-translated author in the world, her stage play The Mousetrap also holds an impressive record. The play opened in London in 1952, and after more than 23,000 performances has the honour of the longest initial run in the world.
Christie died in 1976 at the age of 85, but her literary legacy ensures her reputation will live on for decades to come.
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