Agatha Christie was not only the most successful author of detective stories the world has ever known, she was also a mystery in herself, giving only the rarest interviews--declining absolutely to become any sort of public figure--and a mystery, too, in the manner in which she achieved her astonishing success. Crime novelist and critic H. R. F. Keating brings together a dozen noted writers from both sides of the Atlantic to throw light on the ever-intriguing Dame Agatha. Some essays analyze Christie's art itself; some explain the reasons for her success--not just the books, but also in film and theatre. Includes essays by Sophie Hannah, H. R. F. Keating, Elizabeth Walter, Julian Symons, Edmund Crispin, Michael Gilbert, Emma Lathen, Colin Watson, Celia Fremlin, Dorothy B. Hughes, J. C. Trewin, Philip Jenkinson, William Weaver, and Christianna Brand

Acknowledgements --

Introduction to the 2021 edition /

by Sophie Hannah --

Introduction /

H.R.F. Keating -- Case of the escalating sales / Elizabeth Walter -- Mistress of complication / Julian Symons -- Mistress of simplicity / Edmund Crispin -- A very English lady / Michael Gilbert -- Cornwallis's revenge / Emma Lathen -- Message of Mayhem Parva / Colin Watson -- Christie everyone knew / Celia Fremlin -- Christie nobody knew / Dorothy B. Hughes -- A Midas gift to the theatre / J.C. Trewin -- Agatha Christie films / Philip Jenkinson -- Music and mystery / Willam Weaver -- Miss Marple - a portrait / Christianna Brand -- Hercule Poirot - a companion portrait / H.R.F. Keating --

The Agatha Christie titles --

The contributors