Excellent! I've always been fascinated by the mystery of the disappearance of Agatha Christie in 1926 and this far-fetched, imaginative account of what could have happened during that time grabbed my attention and kept it from the first page to the last. Told in the first person by Agatha's husband's mistress, Nan O'Dea, she is the real main character of the book - one I didn't expect to like as much as I did. Agatha, while obviously having the entire plot based around her, is really a secondary character. The story started out a bit slow, and I was a bit confused about why we were hearing so much background about the mistress, but it all starts to come together pretty quickly, and then I was HOOKED. I'd recommend this book to fans of Historical Fiction, Mysteries, the history of Women's Rights, and/or Agatha Christie. Release date: 2/1/22

Thank you to NetGalley, Nina de Gramont, and St. Martin's Press for the advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The eleven-day disappearance of Agatha Christie in 1926 shocked everyone, making headlines everywhere. Nan O’Dea was less surprised, however, having just told Archibald Christie the timing was wrong for him to leave his wife, Agatha, despite being more than ready to assume that title herself. Agatha’s disappearance after Archibald’s announcement that he wanted a divorce leaves both Archibald and Nan in a precarious situation, as of course Archibald is the first one the police suspect of something nefarious. Nan has a story of her own to tell, as she knows secrets about those eleven days the rest of the world was never told… until now.
Nina de Gramont gives us a fictionalized version of the real-life Nancy Neele, the infamous “other woman” in Agatha Christie’s first marriage. I have to admit I started reading THE CHRISTIE AFFAIR with every intention of justifying my dislike for Nan. Instead, Nina de Gramont drew me in and helped me empathize with Nan and her story. Her situation is heartbreaking, albeit fictional, and I can’t help but even now wonder if the events could have been true.

Nan is present for part of the days of Agatha’s disappearance, but she also makes up what she thinks likely happened, making her a very unreliable narrator. It’s interesting to see the twists she puts on Agatha’s disappearance and how it intertwines with Nan’s own personal history and choices. We flash back to Nan’s earlier years and her experiences in Ireland were both unexpected and part of what helped me care for her character, even as her own adult actions shattered the world of Agatha.

I love the day-by-day narration, as Nina de Gramont builds the tension in the story line. Even as we know that Agatha is eventually is found alive and healthy and that she later gets married and flourishes as an author, we still sit on edge as we wonder why. After all, the allure of most mysteries is the why behind the events and oh wow, does Nina de Gramont offer one heck of a good reason for Nan O’Shea’s otherwise despicable behavior.
I love all things Agatha Christie and Nina de Gramont more than lived up to my expectations. Not only does Nina de Gramont offer readers a stunning new twist for the mysterious disappearance, but she also humanizes one of the supposed villains of the real-life mystery. THE CHRISTIE AFFAIR is a spectacular and intriguing story about the lengths people will go to over both love and grief.

*review is in the editing queue at Fresh Fiction*

Another fascinating story about the time Agatha Christie disappeared for several days. This is a very entertaining version that I enjoyed very much. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The fictionalized recounting of the time when esteemed author Agatha Christie went missing without explanation. This story told from the point of view of the mistress of Archie Christie, Nan. This story was full of intrigue, sadness, and even murder. I was drawn from the beginning, not sure what to expect. I was blown away and couldn't put this book down. It was a quick read for me because the story was so well written and absorbing.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc. I loved it!

From the very first line, I was completely hooked! It’s a fresh fictional take on a real event and went in directions I didn’t expect at all.

It’s mainly told from the mistress’ (Nan) perspective, and I never thought I would say this…but I came to empathize with her, and de Gramont really humanized her and made her a complex fierce character. The book focuses predominantly on the horrific injustices women suffered at the time coupled with the traumatic effects, both immediate and lingering, of war for not just soldiers but their loves and families too. De Gramont intelligently weaves in threads of injustice and privilege based on gender and class that is key to understanding certain circumstances.

Even though some plot points were too convenient and I didn’t quite connect with the characters, which might have been more a result of the writing style to reflect the times, I developed a deep respect for most of them. De Gramont cleverly takes the mistress / wife dynamic and turns it on its head. This book is so fascinating, expertly written and researched, and very cleverly executed.

The Christie Affair was a lovely and twisty historical fiction - emphasis on the fiction. I didn’t realize until doing some outside searching how little is really known about Agatha Christie’s 11-day disappearance in 1926, but I loved de Gramont’s premise. The story centers not so much on Agatha, but on Nan O’Dea, a fictional rendition of Agatha’s husband’s mistress, and the mystery surrounding their affair. It took a little for the plot to get moving and to start seeing threads between the various aspects of the storyline, but once everything became clear, I let out an audible gasp. Definitely a worthwhile mystery!

I should probably plan to have my bookstagram membership revoked after revealing this: I have never read an Agatha Christie book. 😳

Regardless, I was really excited to read this book. Most are familiar with Christie’s disappearance and I was looking forward to a bit of gossip about what actually happened. But…it…took…forever…to…get…there. I’m not sure if the slow pacing was meant to mimic Christie’s own writing or an attempt to build suspense but this was just too much of a slow burn for me. The jumping timelines did not help matters. The writing was strong and the story was interesting, but put together there was just something missing. I’d love to know what Christie fans think about this book. I feel like my lack of experience with her books is doing this one a disservice.

From the privations of World War 1 Ireland to the lush comforts of upper class London in the lavish 1920s - a multi-layered mystery wrapped around enigmatic women whose wartime connections breed a dangerous peace.

This novel is so much more than the mystery one might expect. Yes, it deals fictionally with the well-known disappearance of the famous mystery author, Agatha Christie, on the eve of her divorce from her adulterous husband. But beyond that, it’s an examination of women’s lives in England and Ireland in the 1920s. Intertwined with the hunt for Agatha is one path her husband’s mistress might have followed to grow from an innocent teen writing to her soldier boyfriend, through the Influenza that decimated the world’s population in the aftermath of World War I, to become a young woman who coldly, calculatingly, set her cap at a married man with the intent of replacing his wife.

While some aspects of this book resemble the 1979 movie (with Vanessa Redgrave gravely and gracefully convincing as a very distressed Agatha), this story is more layered, as much character driven as plot oriented. The narrator rings true all the way through. The side characters littered throughout are fascinating, as many layers to their lives as the main characters, although we are only permitted glimpses into those hidden depths. The unraveling of a side mystery is a bit rushed, but we didn’t care about those people anyway, being spellbound by the complex interplay between Agatha’s story and Nan’s.

The book is also a socio-psychological study into Irish Catholic culture at the time: elements that are well known to all of us now, about convents, unwed mothers, and the cruelty of nuns; the secret lusts of priests; the Magdalene laundries where any girl thought to be immoral or uncontrollable could be sent to slave for the rest of her life. In its way this book is a rage against the patriarchy of a bygone era. It is also a love story and a family saga, a step outside of time, and a mystery novel with a murder and other crimes at its heart.

Highly recommended.
@J_E_Barnard @je_barnard

I readily admit to being a bit of a lazy reader: I read to escape, I want to be entertained, and I read nonfiction, not mystery, to exercise my brain. I was attracted by the jazz-age cover (those pearls!) and scintillating title, and it took midway through chapter two to realize the narrator was speaking about THAT Agatha Christie, of mystery novel fame. I almost put the book down several times, and am SO glad I stuck with it.

Nan O’Dea is in love with Archie Christie, who has promised to leave his wife for her. When he breaks the news to his wife Agatha, she goes missing for almost two weeks, amid scandal and intrigue (which is amazing for book sales!), and upon her return, does divorce, and both former spouses remarry. This inventive historical novel imagines why Nan, why now, and what happened during those pivotal eleven days. While the narrative gives insight into multiple characters, including the police inspector, it’s all as imagined by Nan (who may not even be a reliable narrator!) The story moves back and forth in time from Nan’s unsavory experience as an unmarried pregnant girl in a corrupted convent and a seductive mistress. The timeline is usually easy to follow (though there are one or two muddled times that took a little re-reading). In the midst of Christie’s disappearance, there is a murder mystery involving two guests near where the author is holed up.

Without giving away too much plot, I will say the voice and story are compelling, the plot brilliantly woven, and the tone reminiscent of Christie herself. Period details seem to be well-researched and the ending is extremely satisfying. I fully expect this to be an Edgar Award contender if not winner this year.

I received an advance reader’s review copy of #TheChristieAffair from #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy for review. All opinions are my own.

Wow! The Christie Affair was such an incredible story. I kept questioning whether it was fiction or not! The story held me captive and I could hardly put it down.

Thank you St. Martin's Press, BookclubCookbook, and NetGalley for allowing me and my bookclub to read and discuss this book. Though our formal chat is coming in March I am offering my review now.

Wow, what an engaging and well executed historical mystery, I love books that blend real world events and people with fictional interpretations that are fair, nuanced, and thoughtfully placed in the time, contexts, and lives of those involved, including the real life people. This story of Agatha Chistrie's missing time is examined through the eyes of "the other woman" but is done so with an eye towards female empowerment and intelligence, not to judge or make the reader judge the characters but more to invite the reader into this wonderful, and suspenseful, mystery. I found Ms Gramont's writing to be strong, powerful, and well paced, the story unfolded in intriguing and thrilling ways while honoring the legacy of Ms. Christie.

This is one recommended for mystery fans and historical fiction fans in general and I can say that my bookclub is looking forward to talking about this engaging book soon.

I loved hearing the story of Agatha's disappearance, and to tell it from the POV of the mistress was genius. I couldn't finish this book fast enough. I spent way too much time Googling when I finished! I also liked the back and forth of the timeline, finally meeting in the present.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

This book was just OK to me. I did enjoy some of the twists, but I didn't love Nan as the narrator. It just didn't pull me in until towards the end, and even then I didn't love it.

I have been a fan of Agatha Christie for many years, since I was a teenager and came upon her books, I have read all of them and was always intrigued by her life.

Originally written this book tells the story of the disappearance of Agatha Christie and helps the reader learn what happened in those almost two weeks where the whole of England was looking for her and the world was waiting to hear the news.

But, and here is the interesting part, the narrator of the story is Nan O'Shea, the mistress of Archie Christie, Agatha's husband. This makes the book much more engrossing but also skews the narrative to Nan and her life with Agatha always present, but not as a protagonist.

Beautifully written and an engrossing read, I finished this book in almost one seating, Nina de Gramont didn't disappoint.

This was such an engaging read. I had a hard time putting down the book. I wasn't sure about the narrator at first and if I could get into her telling the story, but I got caught up in the story (hers and Agatha's). "The Christie Affair" is intriguing and worth the hype IMO! Would recommend for lovers of mystery or historical fiction.

This was simply amazing!! I can honestly say that I never knew that Agatha Christie had gone missing - and this is a look at that event with the author applying facts and taking license with the rest to give her fascinating version of events. It's hard to know what is fact and what is fiction. But it really doesn't matter. (It caused me to hit up The Googles pretty hard to try to learn stuff!!!) I gobbled this all up and amazed on this author's take of events and how she weaved Nan's (the real life mistress) story and Agatha's story together. In the end, it doesn't matter to me what is true and what is made up, I just loved it.

A fun and interesting historical fiction novel based on the 11-day disappearance of Agatha Christie in the 1920's, told in the voice of her husband's mistress. Many twists and turns in the plot, as well as much mystery, lust, revenge and background stories revealing in perfect timing. This novel felt authentic and juicy. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the copy for review. All opinions are my own.

I've read a couple of Agatha Christie novels over the years, but I have no idea her real life was just as exciting and mysterious as the characters in her books. The author disappeared in the 1920s for eleven days and dominated headlines worldwide. Not much is known because she never publicly discussed the disappearance, barely glossing over the subject in her memoir. Recent movie adaptations have renewed public interest in Christie and her books.

I couldn't pass on the opportunity to get an early copy of The Christie Affair, a historical fiction reimagination is told from the perspective of Agatha's husband's mistress. I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for this honest review.

The book opens with Archie Christie and his mistress discussing breaking the news to Agatha that their marriage is over. Agatha had been largely absent due to taking care of her dying mother and writing her books. The story bounces between past and present (circa the 1920s). Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, and this book combines the best of both worlds to weave a tale that will have you dying to know what comes next.

The story follows several timelines and perspectives, but it is easy to understand what is going on. The blend of real-life people, places, and events brings this work of fiction to life. Just don't expect the famous author to be the main character. The mysterious disappearance is merely a vehicle to tell an intricate tale of grief, pain, and moving on.

The Christie Affair delivers everything I look for in a book. It was an addictive read I could not put down. It is a fantastic blend of genres with historical fiction, mystery, and romance topping the list. Agatha Christie disappeared for 11 days in 1926 and the reason remains a mystery. In The Christie Affair the author imagines one possible version of events, narrated by Christie's husband's mistress. What a compelling plot!

This was an exciting and creative novel with two timelines that were equally compelling. We alternate between Nan's backstory (which has its own plot) and the 11 days of Agatha Christie's disappearance. How the two worlds collide is so much fun to discover.

There are a couple of surprises in the book, one of which I figured out and the other I didn't, but they were both presented wonderfully. They are perfect examples of my favorite kinds of mysteries: not too obvious but they still provide plenty of clues and make perfect sense once they're revealed. I'm a sucker for mysteries in a book that doesn't fall under your typical suspense/thriller/murder mystery genre and The Christie Affair was so rewarding in this aspect. I especially enjoyed that one reveal was a nod to a plot device common of Agatha Christie.

I also loved the voice. I really enjoy when second person is done well and hearing Nan talk directly to us, the readers, made me giddy each time. She respects our intelligence and calls attention to key points in the story. Nan had many similarities to Agatha Christie, including a desire to write and I loved that by using second person it implies Nan did become a writer after all, since she voices the story we're reading.

Overall, this was a winner for me and an easy 5 stars!

Unfortunately I did not finish this book. I got to about the 50% mark but it wasn't holding my attention nearly enough for me to push through.. I thought it started out strongly and was really intrigued with the affair side of things, but it ended up falling a bit flat. I sometimes was confused by whose point of view was being presented and overall just didn't like the narrator - she was so selfish! I did think the writing was good.