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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
This is a slightly different offering from Benedict, and it’s fantastic. I’ve read another recent novel about Agatha Christie’s troubled marriage and her disappearing act. This book takes that fact and turns it into the near-thriller of which Christie would have approved.
The book unfolds with several separate POVs. After the intro in the form of a mysterious letter, we alternate hearing from “The Manuscript” and from the “confused” and put- out husband. At first I was quite surprised that he got to air his story. This turns out to be quite a delicious way to dissect the complicated relationship of Mr. and Mrs. Christie, in a way that had me raising my eyebrows while smirking in delight as he faces the demons he’s birthed. Perfect for a dark and stormy January night.
The book unfolds with several separate POVs. After the intro in the form of a mysterious letter, we alternate hearing from “The Manuscript” and from the “confused” and put- out husband. At first I was quite surprised that he got to air his story. This turns out to be quite a delicious way to dissect the complicated relationship of Mr. and Mrs. Christie, in a way that had me raising my eyebrows while smirking in delight as he faces the demons he’s birthed. Perfect for a dark and stormy January night.
Why did this book make me so mad?!?! I mean, don’t get me wrong, I loved this book but Mr. Christie..what a jerk. He pulls her away from an engagement (a loose one at that) and then this is the life he gives her?? I never really thought he did it but I was so mad at Archie throughout the entire book...and then came the end. Spectacular! That’s all I’ll say.
What a bummer of a storytelling choice. A fascinating true historical mystery about a talented, clever woman leads to a book spent almost entirely with… a haughty, dull man. Even the reveal is lackluster - spoiler, it’s simply what the reader has already trudged through. Archie is a small, judgmental, pompous man, and I just spent an entire book in his unpleasant company. The comeuppance, if you could even call it that, might have been satisfying to experience as a person, but we are only reading this story. And as such, we’ve read a dreary one.
As I read and pushed to get to the solution (woof), I kept thinking the best way to describe this book would be “skimmable.” Faint praise.
As I read and pushed to get to the solution (woof), I kept thinking the best way to describe this book would be “skimmable.” Faint praise.
I appreciate that the author wrote in Christie’s tone (this could have been written by her). The authors notes at the end provide great context.
3.75 rounded up. I enjoyed this, knowing nothing of Christie’s disappearance/personal life. It’s not the best historical fiction I’ve read but it was easy reading with an interesting topic. I liked the alternating time periods & the writing style.
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Most Agatha Christie fans know about her own real-life mystery when she disappeared and could not be found by the police. Marie Benedict's new novel shows Agatha's family history and how her husband struggles with his own secrets when his wife goes missing.
Agatha's story is told in the past, with her Regency-style search for a husband complete with country balls and dance cards. At one of these balls, she meets her future husband, Archibald Christie. The reader sees her marriage decline following Archie's return from World War I after his dreams of being a pilot are crushed.
The book switches between young Agatha and Archie, who is dealing with the police during the aftermath of her disappearance. At the time of her departure, he was at the country home of a friend with his mistress, a fact he is determined to keep from the investigators.
The timelines converge when Mrs. Christie is found, and Marie Benedict gives an alternate explanation of what happened to the famous author.
Recommended for mystery fans and lovers of historical fiction.
I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read the review and get readalikes here: https://guenevol.wixsite.com/novelmaven/post/mystery-christie
Agatha's story is told in the past, with her Regency-style search for a husband complete with country balls and dance cards. At one of these balls, she meets her future husband, Archibald Christie. The reader sees her marriage decline following Archie's return from World War I after his dreams of being a pilot are crushed.
The book switches between young Agatha and Archie, who is dealing with the police during the aftermath of her disappearance. At the time of her departure, he was at the country home of a friend with his mistress, a fact he is determined to keep from the investigators.
The timelines converge when Mrs. Christie is found, and Marie Benedict gives an alternate explanation of what happened to the famous author.
Recommended for mystery fans and lovers of historical fiction.
I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read the review and get readalikes here: https://guenevol.wixsite.com/novelmaven/post/mystery-christie
Fascinating
This is an intriguing book based on the actual disappearance of Agatha Christie. The motivations and characterizations are completely believable, and the writing is engrossing.
This is an intriguing book based on the actual disappearance of Agatha Christie. The motivations and characterizations are completely believable, and the writing is engrossing.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! These words ring so very true in the story that Marie Benedict allows to unfold one page at a time. Although it started a tad slow for me it quickly picked up and the mystery began to pull me in. A story about a woman who decides to take her power and authority into her own hands! A story worth reading.