Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making: More Stories and Secrets from Her Notebooks [Hardcover]

John Curran (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 22, 2011

As he did in the Edgar®-nominated and Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards–winning Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks, Christie expert and archivist John Curran once again examines the unpublished notebooks of the world's bestselling author to explore the techniques she used to surprise and entertain generations of readers.

Drawing on Christie's personal papers and letters, he reveals how more than twenty of her novels, as well as stage scripts, short stories, and some more personal items, evolved. Here are wonderful gems, including Christie's essay on her famous detective, Hercule Poirot, written for a British national newspaper in the 1930s; a previously unseen version of a "Miss Marple" short story; and a courtroom chapter from her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, which was edited out of the published version in 1920; plus an insightful, well-reasoned analysis of her final unfinished novel, based on the author's notes and Curran's own deep knowledge of Christie and her work.

A must-read for every Christie aficionado, Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making is a fascinating look into the mind and craft of one of the world's most prolific and beloved authors.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“With a greater emphasis on the queen of crime’s inner life, Christie expert Curran reveals both Christie’s dedication to her craft and his own enthusiasm for his subject in his engaging follow-up to his 2010 Agatha Christie’s Secret Notebooks.....Even 120 years after her birth, the allure of Christie continues, and this volume will rightly prolong her reign.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making )

“Not a book to read in one sitting, but one to love: a sumptuous buffet for fans who wish the Queen of Crime had lived forever.” (Kirkus Reviews on Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making )

“Curran’s analysis of these notes in the context of Christie’s life is first-rate.” (Cleveland Plain Dealer on Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making )

“Curran sheds light on the method of crafting a mystery story by the world’s most popular writer of whodunits.” (Iron Mountain Daily News on Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making )

“This is a wonderful companion piece to [Christie’s] autobiography and a must-read for every Agatha Christie fan. It provides a unique look into one of the world’s most successful authors.” (Daily America on Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making )

From the Back Cover

As he did in the Edgar^®-nominated and Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards–winning Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks, Christie expert and archivist John Curran once again examines the unpublished notebooks of the world's bestselling author to explore the techniques she used to surprise and entertain generations of readers.

Drawing on Christie's personal papers and letters, he reveals how more than twenty of her novels, as well as stage scripts, short stories, and some more personal items, evolved. Here are wonderful gems, including Christie's essay on her famous detective, Hercule Poirot, written for a British national newspaper in the 1930s; a previously unseen version of a "Miss Marple" short story; and a courtroom chapter from her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, which was edited out of the published version in 1920; plus an insightful, well-reasoned analysis of her final unfinished novel, based on the author's notes and Curran's own deep knowledge of Christie and her work.

A must-read for every Christie aficionado, Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making is a fascinating look into the mind and craft of one of the world's most prolific and beloved authors.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Harper (November 22, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062065424
• ISBN-13: 978-0062065421
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #701,158 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A (p)review rather than a review! February 15, 2012

By Bradley Friedman

Format:Hardcover

I did not know that Mr. Curran planned a sequel to his first book about Agatha Christie's notebooks. I was in a bookstore, picking out Christie novels for my drama students as prizes for creating and performing the best murder mystery when I saw this book on the shelf and snatched it up for myself. It may seem odd to write a review when I'm just beginning the book, but I have to applaud Mr. Curran and the publishers for finding a unique hook to attract true Christie fans. To be granted a glimpse into the creative mind of a favorite author, one who in life was so reticent about her process and ideas, is a rare and happy privilege.

I began a lifelong love for Ms. Christie's work when I was ten years old and picked up a copy of "And Then There Were None." Since then, I have read all the books, bought and listened to them repeatedly in audiobooks, purchased and enjoyed the films made for movies and television, as well as the marvelous BBC adaptations of Christie's work. I empathize with the reviewer for Mr. Curran's other book who described a dream of discovering a "lost" Christie work. I have had the same dream, I assure you! I think we all wish that Mr. Curran would find larger nuggets of Christie's work that could perhaps be adapted into fully fleshed-out novels. It would be a wonderful dream come true.

Meanwhile, I am looking forward to whatever new insights into Christie's mind and work that Curran provides in this second book. For his efforts - and for my abiding gratitude to Ms. Christie for giving me so much pleasure over the past five decades, I give this book five stars!

ADDENDUM: This final paragraph marks a return to this review and a deletion of one star for two reasons: first, the presentation of this material did get tiresome as the book went on. Sometimes Mr.Curran pondered tiny points of little interest, such as how many pages in the notebooks covered a certain work. (By the time one gets to PASSENGER TO FRANKFURT, it truly doesn't matter if the novel covered five pages in notebook this and ten pages in notebook that...it's still a frighteningly bad book.) The pattern of presentation was remarkably similar from book to book, which made reading this occasionally tedious. The second reason for knocking off a star is the presence of a number of small errors (names, plot points) and questionable judgments of certain works. Of course, Mr. Curran is entitled to his opinions as a Christie expert AND a fan, even when they disagree with my opinions!! :-) If he think less of AFTER THE FUNERAL, one of my favorites, that's his business. But he makes a point of criticizing the violence of Cora's murder as unnecessary, even crass, and the violence done to the body IS most necessary, as anyone familiar with the plot could testify.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for Agatha Christie fans February 1, 2012

By K. Lamoreaux

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is of interest for serious Christie fans. I have read all of Agatha Christie books numerous times. About every two to three years, I start from the beginning and read them all again. I also have the Bedside Companion book which tells a little about each book. This just adds to my enjoyment and knowledge of her thinking, her methods, and of course, the books themselves. Don't read this book until you read the Christie mysteries or you will learn the endings.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Reading with Tequila December 16, 2012

By Jennifer Sicurella VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Why read: Received for review from publisher

What impressed me: The highlight of the book for me was the plot ideas that Christie came up with, yet never used in her books. That's what made the book interesting and worth the read.

What disappointed me: So very dry. And obviously full of spoilers for any Christie novel I haven't read yet. Lists upon lists upon lists of characters with little variation. Vaguely interesting, but the repetitive nature of the book gets old quickly.

Recommended: Only for hardcore Agatha Christie fans.