I’m not sure how I feel about “The Christie Affair” - part of me was a bit disappointed the story wasn’t told from Agatha’s POV, maybe giving us more insight, albeit a fictionalized version, of the 11 days she was missing… but Nan’s actions and motivations was a WOW! moment, which definitely kept me reading.
I will admit it took me awhile to get invested in the book- at first, I think I let my disappointment get a hold of me that it wasn’t told from Agatha’s POV, but once I caught on to Nan’s plot, I couldn’t put it down. Plus, I loved Finnbarr. Good read.

The Christie Affair is a novel of heartbreak, revenge, and murder and a famous unsolved mystery. In 1925, in London, Nan O'Dea lured Archie Christie into an affair and made him fall in love with her. He had been a devoted husband to his well-know wife, Agatha Christie. Agatha Christie went missing and was believed to have been kidnaped or possibly killed which set off a huge search for her. After 11 days she was found but what happened during during those 11 days is a mystery. A big question to be answered is why did Nan destroy a marriage, hatch a plot years in the making and be involved in a murder? This is a compelling story with many secrets to discover. I recommend this book.

“The Christie Affair” by Nina de Gramont is a unique historical fiction that is centered around the strange disappearance of the late, great, Agatha Christie. What really happened when she disappeared? What was she thinking that led her to vanish seemingly into thin air only to reappear and live out the rest of her life? Not one to make a scene, her disappearance is of great interest to readers of all ages. This version of events leads us to on a journey of betrayals, manipulations, secrets, and murder, with a dash of romance for good measure.

This story is told via the perspective of Archie Christies mistress who played a much larger role in this game than one may suspect. To be honest I was a bit hesitant when I discovered the story was completely narrated by Nan. My fear led to reality as the story moves from a promising start to a rather boring history of Nan herself, her previous romance and the motives that drove her to purposely edge her way in to the life of the Christies. The disappearance is addressed of course but its more of a side story than the main focus, which is what I really wanted out of this story.

While failing to provide the type of narrative I had hoped for I must say that there is some wonderful world building taking place between these pages, created using decent prose. It's hard to deny this author is talented in her own right and I would like to see more of her work, something all her own. The atmosphere is well created and it's easy to believe that it is indeed the 1920's, and there is some obviously well researched information laced in with the fiction.

I really wanted to love this book. but it just came from an angle I wasn't interested in; however, it was not a terrible read. If you're not looking for anything specific from this story and approach it as if the characters were never real to begin with you may find yourself enjoying the story far more than I did.

I'd rate this about a 3.5 and encourage those who can separate the true mystery from this unexpected fictional account to pick it up and give it a try. It's not a complete waste of time and I don't regret taking the time to see it through to the end.

Thank you to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to preview an advanced copy of this e=book in order for me to share my honest opinion.

Rare is the book that, once the final page is read, leaves one searching for words and only coming up with 'WOW".
The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont, which I was lucky enough to get an ARC of from NetGalley, is just such a book. There are moments that leave the reader astounded, staring into space and thinking that one word - wow. And those moments, as surprising as they are, completely make the entire tale come together, like a light being turned on an illuminating a vital aspect of the story.
From the very first page, The Christie Affair is an enthralling page turner. It is populated with sympathetic characters who have depth and relatable flaws. The reader cares what happens to them, even those cast in the role of 'villain'. But, as we learn, villains aren't always the ones that society teaches us to cast in that role.
The story is heart breaking as it gradually unravels, touching on how love sometimes doesn't overcome misfortune and how suffering can irrevocably define the path a person takes, for better or worse.
This is a book in which one should pay attention to every detail, because some of those intricate details combine to complete the story in a way that makes the reader want to read the book again, with a knowledge of the complete picture, just to fully appreciate the artistry involved in the crafting of the tale.
I have read a few of Agatha Christie's books, but had no idea of her history and the fact that she went missing until I read the synopsis for this book. At that time, I decided not to look into her history until after I'd read the book, and I'm happy with that decision.
I wish I could give this more than five stars, but alas I am limited. So I say "Bravo and thank you for the wonderful book" instead.

I hadn't heard much about Agatha Christie's disappearance, so this story got me so interested that I had to look it up to see which parts were fact and which were fiction! I love books that make me want to dig deeper into a subject! I'll definitely be looking for more from this author because it was very well written and kept my interest throughout.

This book is an excellent example of what it is that I want from historical fiction when I seek out historical fiction. Every page made me feel like I was a part of the story and totally immersed myself into the times. I had gone into this book unfamiliar with the author but now that I have read and enjoyed this book so much I plan to read as much as I can from them.

The book switches between Agatha Christie's perspective and the main character, Nan. I thought the book was well written, but I actually think it would have been better without the bits about Agatha. The main draw of the story is the backstory that is slowly drawn out relating to Nan's past in Ireland. I think the whole book could have just been written about Nan. I found myself skipping over the POV of Agatha Christie midway because it was so much less interesting. Overall it was a good quick read

The cover art for this novel is breathtaking. I could look at it all day.

The novel tells the fictional account of Agatha Christie's disappearance as told by her husband's mistress.

Though the book takes place during the 11 days that Agatha went missing, the story focuses on Nan and the history that brought her into the Christie's orbit. An interesting blend of historical fiction, thriller, and mystery, this novel is a unique imagining of the mystery author's time spent missing.

I would have liked for the book to focus more on Agatha and less on Nan. I find Agatha's claim of amnesia and the persisting mystery to be so fascinating. However, Nan's character added a unique depth and perspective.

This was an enjoyable read, even though I hate ebooks. Thank you to #Netgalley for the opportunity to read this early release in exchange for an honest review.

#TheChristieAffair is an enjoyable novel that speaks to the strength of women and the bonds that tie all strong women together.

Agatha Christie's disappearance told from Mr. Christie's mistress's point of view. A fascinating fictional acount that engages the reader with every page. A novel that is hard to put down for that "quick bite"or that "soothing cup of tea". Full of surprises and leads one to believe the story may have even happened as written. The story makes one think that someone found the mistress's journal in a locked box in an attic and after all this time has been able to put to rest the long ago mystery.

The disappearance of Agatha Christie seems to be a hot topic for several authors recently and this book adds a surprising explanation of Christie's disappearance. The story is told from the perspective of Nan O'Dea who was the mistress of Archie Christie. On the night before Agatha's disappearance Archie asks Agatha for a divorce so he can marry Nan. The author tells the story of Nan as a poor, young Irish girl who falls madly in love with an Irish farm lad who joins the army to fight in the Great War. While it appears the relationship doesn't survive the war, Nan becomes obsessed with the Christie family and determines to steal Archie away from Agatha. The book has lots of twists and turns, some imaginable and some beyond the imagination.
Recommended for mystery fans.

A novel that offers a highly speculative tale about what might have happened during the real life disappearance of Agatha Christie with a fictionalization of the POV of Archie Christie’s mistress.

Framed around the real life 11-day disappearance of mystery writer Agatha Christie in 1925, and told from the point of view of Nan O’Dea, Archie Christie’s mistress and eventual second wife, this intriguing and lyrical book was a joy to read. It spins an alternative version of the facts to reveal a different “why” to the well-documented events and a surprising yet logical motive behind the actions of all the principal players. The story dives into the past, to the rolling hills of Ireland, a handsome boy-next-door and a convent for out-of-wedlock mothers, to the present day where a double homicide has occurred at a fancy hotel at the same time police forces across England are engaged in a manhunt for the missing author. There are two touching love stories threaded through the narrative, as well as insights into the depth of a mother’s love. Bravo to Nina de Gramont’s story-telling as well as her intriguing and satisfying denouement.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

I have read other books about the disappearance of Agatha Christie for a number of days, but this story offers another explanation. It is mostly told from the viewpoint of Nan O'Dea, who was the mistress of Archie Christie. I felt like this story got better as it went along. At first I just though it was a love triangle story, but then the author threw in a mystery and I just wanted to read more to find out what was really going on. A good story with lots of twists and turns!

This book was sent to me by. Netgalley on Kindle for review…I love Agatha Christie books…the best mysteries to be reread…this is a quick read about what might have happened…what probably did not happen…but who knows???? Enjoy this one…

This was a unique take on Agatha Christie's disappearance for 11 days. I really enjoyed this fictional retelling and the author took a great approach. Most of the story is told from the perspective of her husband's mistress, and her emotional journey was very well told. Knowing how high profile of a writer Agatha Christie was AND knowing she was a real person, this was such a different spin making it fictional and a whole knew world. I think readers are really going to enjoy this book!

This novel has all the elements of a good mystery: intriguing characters, including villainous ones; vividly portrayed settings plot twists, more than one central problem, murder and a resolution that is a mixed bag of triumph and regret. Agatha Christie herself would find much to savor here, even though the author has chosen to play fast and loose with the facts surrounding Ms. Christie's family and personal life in the interest of creating a delicious set of circumstances to solve the still-unresolved real-life mystery of why Agatha disappeared for 11 days in 1926. I would highly recommend this novel to fans who enjoy mysteries.

The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont is a historical fiction novel where Author Agatha Christie disappears for 11 days.

The storyline is told from point of view of Miss Nan O'Dea, who Agatha Christie ’s husband Archie is in love with.

This was a good book, perhaps a bit slow and dry in spots, but overall, very engaging, and entertaining.

Thank you to NetGalley, Author Nina de Gramont, and St. Martin's Press for my advanced copy to read and review
3.5 Stars

#stmartinspres #ninadegramont

This book was amazing. The author writes in such a beautiful manner. I know about Agatha Christie’s disappearance. I know a little of her writing, but I’m not well read in her pieces. This book added such an interesting take on what could have happened those 12 days she was missing. It is a mystery within a mystery. One of the main characters Nan, you like from the beginning or at least I did even though she’s a mistress, but there is so so much more. She’s not the money hungry person I thought she would be.
An Catholic home for unwed mother’s is featured heavily and while this is fictional it is sad and horrible what happened to those poor girls and their babies.
This book was truly surprising and so very good.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

The Christie Affair concerns Agatha Christie and the eleven days of her disappearance in her twenties. It is not the first book on the subject. Ms. Christie went to her grave keeping the subject a secret so it is ripe ground for an author's imagination.

There are two basic storylines that slowly emerge as the book progresses. To this reader, one of them is far more interesting than the other. Archie Christie, Agatha's first husband, is having an affair, eventually leaves his wife and marries his mistress. The interesting story involved the back story of the mistress. While being fascinating, it brought in many of the trials of being a woman in Ireland at the turn of the last century and well into the first decades. It was not a good time for women.

Ms. Christie, I believe, always claimed she couldn't remember what happened to her. So Ms. de Gramont gives us a story that makes that claim plausible though a little far-fetched.

If you are an Agatha Christie fan, who isn't?, you'll find this enjoyable. It's not a great story or great writing but it is full of imaginative possibilities and makes Ms. Christie oh so human!!!

This book has it all and I loved it! Set against the backdrop of Agatha Christie’s missing days in 1926, we see the story unfold through Nan…the real life mistress to Agatha’s first husband. Agatha is missing and everyone is searching for her, but Nan has also vanished and no one even noticed. Meanwhile, at a hotel there is a group of individuals gathering for relaxation and just like a Christie novel, something goes awry. As much as this is a story with mystery and intrigue, it is also one of love. Before Nan entered Agatha’s life, she had a very complex one of her own. Through flashbacks of Nan’s younger years, we experience first love, war, and trauma.

While fans of Agatha Christie will notice and appreciate the use of her mystery components, I think historical fiction fans will also enjoy this book.

(Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy.)