Agatha Christie

Since her debut in 1920 Agatha Christie has become the chief proponent of the English village murder mystery. She created two enormously popular characters - the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, and the inquisitive elderly spinster and amateur sleuth Miss Jane Marple - as well as producing literature in many other genres, from poetry to comedy to plays. As well as an informed introduction to the Christie phenomenon, this book examines all her novels and short stories. The film, TV and stage adaptations are listed too.