Agatha Christie: First Lady of Crime
by H. R. F. Keating
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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 show more 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. show lessTags
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I’ve been reading Agatha Christie books for as long as, well, as long as I can remember reading. So quite possibly from the time when this book was first published back in 1977. It’s a collection of essays about the Queen of Crime’s life and works. When I started reading, I didn’t quite realise how long ago it was originally published. Oddly, the commentary/opinions didn’t feel especially dated, other than references to (then) contemporary events.
I enjoyed the mix of personal insights, commercial “analysis” and commentary on her wide range of works: fiction, plays, memoir... And of course, now I’m in a mood to revisit some of her mysteries again.
I enjoyed the mix of personal insights, commercial “analysis” and commentary on her wide range of works: fiction, plays, memoir... And of course, now I’m in a mood to revisit some of her mysteries again.
Collection of essays by thirteen different writers - critics, novelists, editors - looking at Agatha Christie's life and work from thirteen different angles.
A mixed bag of opinions and insights, for readers who know the novels and don't mind spoilers.
Published in 1977 therefore the sections on film and tv obviously don't include Joan Hickson and David Suchet's definitive performances.
A mixed bag of opinions and insights, for readers who know the novels and don't mind spoilers.
Published in 1977 therefore the sections on film and tv obviously don't include Joan Hickson and David Suchet's definitive performances.
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83+ Works 3,202 Members
H. R. F. Keating (Henry Reymond Fitzwalter "Harry" Keating) was born in St. Leonards-on-Sea on October 31, 1926. He attended Merchant Taylor's School in London, England and Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. He worked for The Times (London) as the crime books reviewer from 1967 to 1983. His first novel, Death and the Visiting Firemen, was show more published in 1959. He wrote about 50 fiction and nonfiction works during his lifetime, but is best known for the Inspector Ghote series. His other works include the Harriet Martens Mysteries series and Sherlock Holmes: The Man and His World. Keating received the CWA Gold Dagger Award in 1964 for The Perfect Murder and in 1980 for The Murder of the Maharajah, the Edgar Alan Poe award in 1988, the George N. Dove Award in 1995, and the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger for outstanding service to crime fiction in 1996. He died of cardiac failure on March 27, 2011 at the age of 84. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Agatha Christie: First Lady of Crime
- People/Characters
- Agatha Christie
- First words
- AGATHA CHRISTIE was a phenomenon.
(Introduction)
ON 27 MAY 1926, two weeks after the end of the General Strike, when England was thankfully returning to normal and one or two of the forethoughful were wondering if it would be worth saving for posterity copies of Churchill's... (show all) emergency British Gazette, an event of more enduring literary significance occurred: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was published.
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