Who doesn’t love a good Agatha Christie mystery, right? I came across The Christie Affair and was curious to see how the facts would be woven into this historical fiction novel about Agatha Christie’s disappearance in 1926.

Agatha Christie did in fact disappear from her home on December 3, 1926. As an established author, a country-wide manhunt was issued, enlisting police officers to search for her across all of England. She was ultimately found at a spa in Yorkshire eleven days later, and never fully divulged what happened or why she disappeared.

After reading The Christie Affair, I was pleasantly surprised by how much of the story was taken from factual accounts – including even Sherlock Holmes’ author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle enlisting spirit mediums to help find the missing author. Nina de Gramont did a fantastic job of weaving in all of these little details into an account that is both interesting and plausible.

The story is told from the perspective of Miss Nan O’Dea, who is Archie Christie’s mistress. Agatha’s husband Archie had just devastated Agatha by announcing that he wanted a divorce, planning to marry his mistress. While the story centered around Agatha and her disappearance, the true center of the novel was Nan, and it was surprising to find that I liked them both despite the typical wife-mistress dynamic that makes you want to choose a side.

I won’t get into too much detail so as not to spoil the story or give anything away, but Nan’s story and the chapters that alternated in telling her past were the ones that kept me most absorbed. It was a heartbreaking tale that made her actions and choices completely understandable.

Throughout the story, there were two themes that constantly caught my attention – disappearing women and how love changes and evolves.

While the story was centered on Agatha’s disappearance, it also emphasized how much police and media attention she received because of her high position in society and being a well-known author. Nan talked about so many other women who disappeared for various reasons and drew attention to how it’s been happening since the dawn of time. If we look at the headlines today, it’s still happening and certain women get a lot of attention because of their connections while hundreds of others simply disappear and no one cares to find out what happened to them.

The theme of love was expected since ultimately this is a tale of a mistress and a wife both vying for the love of the same man. What made this book different though was how and why each of them loved the men in their lives and how it changed as they changed as human beings. Love is constantly portrayed as this tangible thing that’s supposed to be unconditional and unchanging, but in reality, the love that we feel for someone changes and evolves consistently depending on how we each are changing as individuals. I absolutely loved reading about this in a way that was so natural and sensible.

Overall, this was an engaging novel and I absolutely loved it. While I don’t want to give away any spoilers, I do want to caution some sensitive material that caught me completely off-guard regarding sexual assault, homes for unwed mothers, and the realities of the world for those lost mothers and their children. Anyone who may have experienced this should proceed with caution.

3 or 3.5 stars. Over the course of this novel, more than one character says they prefer to read mysteries to romance. This has some mystery, and maybe technically some romance, but this book is too sad and melancholy for romance.

What this seems to be about is Agatha Christie, who famously went missing for 11 days. She was only a moderately successful author at the time, but apparently lots of English police officers were charged with looking for her. She disappeared after her husband, Archie, told her he was leaving her for another woman. We’re told all this from the perspective of the other woman, who obviously can only guess and imagine things she wasn’t present to witness herself or hear from the people who actually lived the experiences—and people lie all the time from omission or the way things get lost in translation—I don’t mean spoken language necessarily, but the way we can misinterpret body language or situations.

This is ultimately a downer of a book, which, in addition to a fictionalized account of Agatha Christie going missing, is also about the evils of the way some organized religions choose to control women, shaming them or using them for its own purpose.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel, which RELEASES FEBRUARY 8, 2022.

This is a historical fiction retelling of Agatha Christie’s disappearance in 1925. Told by her husbands mistress, Nan, which proved to be a very unique viewpoint. This was a good mix of historical fiction, romance and mystery. And while I did get confused often of what was going on and who was who, I enjoyed it overall.

THE CHRISTIE AFFAIR is full of surprises! And, if you're a fan of mystery and intrigue (as I am), they're wonderfully fun surprises.

This tale is told from the perspective of Nan O'Dea, the fictional mistress of Agatha Christie's husband, Archie. It happens in the span of time when Agatha Christie went missing, which in reality remains a mystery. Nina de Gramont places Nan front and center as the main character, and unfolds a sorrowful history that entwines the two women in ways more significant that wife and mistress, connected by the man they both love (or perhaps do not love).

The writing is beautiful, and I loved the twists I didn't see coming and the blend of genres. Also, the ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy.

The Christie Affair, by Nina de Gramont, is an imagining of the 11 day disappearance of renowned mystery author, Agatha Christie, after her separation from her husband. The story is told from the perspective of Agatha Christie’s husband‘s mistress. It’s definitely a bit of an odd perspective in that the narrator is telling Ms. Christie’s story, all while justifying her own nefarious actions. It’s overly dramatic and hard to take very seriously, but also wickedly fun.

The story offers an intriguing premise, but it’s a bit outlandish and there are plot holes that are never addressed. The Christie Affair is a story full of drama, secrets, supposition, allegations and revenge. It’s a fascinating topic with a complex plot, but the reader will definitely need to suspend disbelief while enjoying this wild narrative.

‘The Christie Affair’ is Nina de Gramont’s re-imagination of what took place leading up to the biggest manhunt in British history for a missing person – Agatha Christie.

It’s always difficult writing a review when there’s a gap between what you expect and what is delivered. Curious and wanting answers, I was expecting to read a book that explained Christie’s 11-day disappearance in December 1926. Perhaps I was hoping that new facts had been uncovered, or clues, even, that shed more light on this mystery. While true, I did get a book explaining this event, it was more focused on flashbacks of Archibald Christie’s mistress, Nan O’Dea’s, past and my beloved heroine’s disappearance took a back seat. For a big fan of Agatha Christie, this can come as a real let down. I understand that O’Dea’s backstory needed to be told to appreciate future motivations, but I really wanted this book to be more about my favourite mystery writer. In addition to my initial disappointment, I also struggled with what I felt was a lack of British flavour, timeline jumps and difficulty connecting to characters.

Regardless of any shortcomings I thought the book had, it was a good read and really did have aspects of an Agatha Christie mystery. The plot twists were well done and the historical information was well-researched and presented. I have no qualms about the author’s skill. The disappointment is mine.

This slow-burner mystery was narrated by Archibald Christie’s mistress, Nan O’Dea, and was a unique fusion of historical fiction, mystery and thriller. Gramont highlighted the plight of Irish unwed mothers, loss, grief, and the lasting effects of war in Ireland.

I was gifted this advance copy by Nina de Gramont, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Thank you St. Martins Press for the gifted book.

DNF @ 50% - partially due to TWs.

I was excited to pick this book up when I saw some very early rave reviews, but it was sadly not a win for me. The plot started feeling very meandering and the narration confusing. After a few too many coincidences I started losing interest. I probably would have continued as I heard it has a good ending, but the story just felt like such a downer to me. The scenes in the convent and knowing Nan's baby is taken away, were too much for me and I decided I needed to move on. I feel like this book was trying to parallel a Christie novel, but a slightly darker ones, and it seemed a bit overambitious.

The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont

This is a historical fiction retelling of Agatha Christie’s disappearance in 1925. Told by her husbands mistress, Nan, this is an interesting story filled with twists and surprises. I liked Nan’s backstory and perspective a lot more than Agatha’s story, but I loved how all the twists came together in the end. It did lose my interest a bit in the middle, but I’m grateful I also had the audiobook to listen to so it was easier for me to get through.

Anyone interested in historical fiction and memorable characters would enjoy this one! Thank you to @netgalley @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for my advanced copies! This story is out on February 1st.

What is your favourite decade to read about? I love the 1920s!

#netgalley #ninadegramont #thechristieaffair #books #ebooks #kindle #audiobooks #bookreview #bookrecommendations #mybooks #historicalfiction #reading #1920s #agathachristie #booked #canadianbookstagrammer

I really enjoyed The Christie Affair- another spin on what may of happened…. This story has it all- layers, anticipation and action. I would highly recommend putting this one on your to be read list!!! You will love it too!

Thank you so much for this early edition it is a story that will stay with me.

DNF

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I started this book with high hopes, as I am a lover of all things Christie. I had read other books on the subject of the 11 day disappearance and was excited to see how this author imagined those days.

I tried to get into the story, but I found it dragging. I stopped a few chapters in.
.

A completely fictional account of Agatha Christie’s disappearance and the days directly before and after her disappearance, told from the point of view of Nan O’Dea, fictional mistress of Archie Christie. It covers several timelines, including when Nan was a young woman who travelled to Ireland and met her one true love. It also includes Nan’s activities and ultimate encounter and activities with Ms. Christie during the time of her disappearance. Finally, it includes an epilogue to wrap up each of the individual stories that are told within the book.

Some of the book is painful to read, particularly the description of the Catholic home for unwed mothers where Nan is taken when she becomes pregnant by Finn, the love of her life. She desperately tries to escape this place, and keeps sending notes to Finn via various people she encounters, but he doesn’t come to rescue her as she expects. This home is bleak, as the girl’s existence is, and has little to say that leaves the Catholic church in a positive light.

Ms. Christie’s disappearance is the catalyst to send Nan off to a hotel while the entire English countryside is searching for Ms. Christie. While she is there, she meets several individuals who appear to have nothing to do with the disappearance or Nan’s earlier life; but Nan befriends at least one of them. One of these couples dies while Nan is there and the coroner's report indicates both deaths are either murder or murder/suicide. There is not much time spent solving these crimes, but they are resolved within the story.

During the disappearance, a retired detective is called in to help with the search because so many resources are being thrown at the effort. He plays a significant role in Agatha’s life during her disappearance and there are some hints that continue after she returns to society. There is an epilogue that gives hints regarding the future of the main characters, including Ms. Christie, the detective, Nan, and Archie.

The book is intriguing, especially if the reader is an Agatha Christie fan. Her disappearance is one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the twentieth century, at least for devotees of her writing. This increases the fascination with this story, which sounds plausible on several levels, and completely fictional on others. It does serve to reenergize the question of what happened, where did Ms. Christie go, and why, after all this time, nothing is known about it.

Because of the multiple timelines and storylines featuring different individuals, the book is best read in large swaths of time. To try and read in short bursts can cause the reader to lose track and need some time to reorient themselves as to where they are in the story. While it is not a “feel good” story, it is engaging and one many people will enjoy.

This book makes Agatha Christie almost a joke of an individual. Since it is told from Nan's point of view she spends the majority speculating on what she thinks Agatha went through during her 11 days. This doesn't allow for the reader to become suspended into the story and makes light of an impactful situation. The premise of the book is phenomenal however the execution just wasn't there for me.

(rated 3/5 due to the GoodReads rating system but really rated 2.5)
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my DRC in exchange for my honest review!

"The Christie Affair" by Nina de Gramont is a fictional story about what transpired during Agatha Christie's eleven day disappearance. Gramont uses real life facts such as Archie Christie's real life affair and asking Agatha for divorce and later, Agatha's amnesia of the eleven days.

I was so excited to read this one. I love Agatha Christie's writing and her eleven day disappearance is one of my favorite mysteries. Unfortunately I found this to be a bit lacking. Gramont has obviously done her research about the event and about the Christies and I wouldn't fault her for that. Instead, I take issue with the heavy handed wokeism in this novel. Our main narrator is Nan, the other woman, and she often says how she does not care about Agatha's feelings really and will happily steal Archie. Without getting into spoilers, I found her just irritating and deplorable. As I read, I felt like Gramont gave Nan such a tearjearker of a backstory with a heavy hand of "feminism" and "womanly justice" because Nan is awful. I didn't feel anything anytime she waxed poetic about the convent, Finabarr, or her sisters; all of that next to lines of her saying that she didn't care who she had to hurt, etc. to get what she wanted...I just did not like her. I'm not one to root for cheaters and the other man/woman/person, so already the book was a pain to read. And while Gramont did a lot of research, this still felt very much like fanfiction especially with Nan's voice and the end (which I know the end was supposed to be fantastical but still). None of the novel really felt like a mystery to me even when the murders happened. It just fell so flat to me.

I will say that I enjoyed Agatha Christie's characterization and the negative way people spoke about/thought about Archie Christie but it just wasn't enough for me to really like this book. A small thing but I also felt like there were so many threads for such a short amount of pages and it never really felt any of the threads were necessary just weird little sojourns down paths that never fleshed out. And again, I HATE that the reader practically gets morally guilted into supporting Nan. It's super gross and manipulative.

This was a great combo of historical fiction, romance, and mystery. The author has taken the long unsolved mystery of Agatha Christie's disappearance and created a can't-put-down book from the perspective of her husband's mistress. I really enjoyed the twists and turns, how Nan's story was peeled back in layers with flashbacks, and the many ways it felt a bit like an AC mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for my honest review.

A fascinating fictional attempt at explaining the eleven-day disappearance of Agatha Christie. I was not informed of this historical event at all, so I enjoyed starting the book with a clean slate. A very creative spin on what could have happened, and the characters involved. Even if it is all speculation, it is a great romantic mystery to lose yourself in for a few hours. I don’t want to give any of it away, so instead, I encourage you to give it a try for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

The basic facts of a true life fascinating mystery are here - Agatha Christie, the famous author, disappeared for 11 days which spurred an international hunt. Apparently her husband had just told her he wanted a divorce to be with his mistress. With those basic facts, the author takes the reader on a wild ride of well written and developed possibility for those 11 days. And mystery, of course.

I want to start by admitting that I did not know much about the author Agatha Christie prior to reading this book. However, I was very intrigued by this book's premise and definitely did some research as I read. I thoroughly enjoyed the start of this book, but as it continued on the focus seemed to jump around. It felt like these should have been two different books: the story of Nan and her experiences and those of Agatha's. Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more by the author.

Mystery readers know that early in her career, Agatha Christie went missing for 11 days. The police scoured the country for her, and eventually she was found at a resort hotel, claiming amnesia. No definitive explanation for her disappearance has ever been given.

In this novel, de Gramont imagines a story of Christie’s disappearance. But the novel is told by Nan O’Dea, a fictional character based in part on the young woman Christie’s husband, the cad Archie, left her for. For most of the book, we read much more about Nan than Agatha. Nan tells the story of her childhood, a tragic happenstance in her young adulthood, and what she herself did while Agatha Christie was missing—which includes a Christie-style mystery.

When we do read about Agatha, it’s often Nan’s speculation as to what happened, since she wasn’t usually present and has nothing but what others (like Archie) has told her and her own imaginings to go on.

Like a lot of people, I was attracted to this novel because of the Agatha Christie connection. While Agatha is present, for much of the time she’s not much more than a framing device for Nan’s story. And when Agatha does make more of an appearance toward the end of the novel, what de Gramont gives as Christie’s story is unlikely, at best, and almost bizarre. As for Nan’s story, it’s depressing and not at all what I would have chosen to read had I known ahead of time what it would be about.

THE CHRISTIE AFFAIR is a clever reimagining of the mysterious disappearance of Agatha Christie. After learning of Archie's notorious affair, Agatha's whereabouts were unknown for 11 days sparking worldwide curiosity and concern.

The narrative is primarily told from Archie Christie's mistress, Nan O' Dea. Her character was well-drawn with complex motives. The pacing did slow a bit during the middle of the story as readers explored Nan's past growing up in Ireland. Overall, I appreciated the unexpected direction Nina de Gramont took the novel and how she incorporated true events with her imaginative vision.

This is an eloquently-written novel that historical fiction and Agatha Christie lovers will enjoy. I did a combination of print and audio which always adds to my reading experience. Beautifully narrated by Lucy Scott, her crisp British accent was a perfect fit.

RATING: 4/5 stars
PUB DATE: February 1, 2022

A big thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan for audio and print ARCs of this novel.

Review will be posted to www.instagram.com/kellyhook.readsbooks/ in advance of publication date with link to post provided via NetGalley.

This the first book by Nina de Gramont that I’ve read. I loved how the story point of was told by Nan the “ other” woman who was having an affair with Archie Christie. Agatha’s disappearance coincided with Nan taking a holiday at the Belforte Hotel. There is a murder of a newlywed couple (who you find out really deserved it) at the hotel that Detective Chilton is now having to solve along with finding out where Agatha Christie has disappeared to. I loved the back story on Nan and Finbarr. How they deeply loved each other and it didn’t work out but you were really hoping it would. How Agatha and Chilton were star crossed lovers that didn’t want the search to end. I would definitely recommend this title to anyone that likes a great mystery as well as historical fiction.