When Agatha Miller was in her twenties, she expected that she might settle down with her close friend, a good-hearted young man named Reggie. However, one evening at a gala ball in 1912, a handsome gentleman sweeps Agatha off her feet. When she tells her family about Lieutenant Archibald Christie, her mother and sister advise her to rebuff the brash soldier, but the besotted Agatha stands by him. She marries Archie, and focuses on prioritizing his needs and desires over her own.

Marie Benedict's "The Mystery of Mrs. Christie" focuses on Agatha's ill-fated union with a person she thought she knew, but who turns out to be shallow, short-tempered, and selfish. The Christies have one child, Rosalind, but their love for the little girl cannot save their crumbling relationship. Everything comes to a head when Archie reveals the reason for his frequent absences, and Agatha's writing career—which Archie resents—begins to take off. In December 1926, Agatha Christie vanishes for eleven days, and Marie Benedict offers her version of why Mrs. Christie disappeared.

The author's portrayal of Agatha is compelling. Before she became famous, Agatha was a naïve but intelligent and determined individual who yearned for romance and stability. She believed that Archie would be as devoted to her after their wedding as he was during their courtship. The chapters told from Archie's perspective are less engaging than those narrated by Agatha. When Mrs. Christie disappears, the detectives and newspaper reporters suspect her husband of foul play. Since Archie is such a one-dimensional and unfeeling scoundrel, it is difficult to feel anything but contempt for him. Fortunately, the conclusion is lively and engaging, since Agatha finds a way to turn the tables on a spouse who, for years, belittled and undermined her. She discovers a core of inner strength that she never realized she possessed. "The Mystery of Mrs. Christie" is diverting, but it lacks the depth of Benedict's more accomplished works of fiction.

Before I begin my review of this book, I must admit a dirty little secret first…I’ve never read an Agatha Christie murder mystery before…I know!! It is all together shocking! But, I can tell you after reading the Mystery of Mrs. Christie I’ve become a huge fan, already ordered several of her novels, and I cannot wait to dive into them after reading about her in this historical fiction take on her mysterious disappearance.

“As I reread if for a final time, it occurred to me that we are all unreliable narrators of our own lives, crafting stories about ourselves that omit unsavory truths and highlight our invented identities.”

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie was a wonderful psychological thriller that had me hooked from the beginning as I flew through the pages. Not only was this story gripping, it was very eye opening. I went into the story believing that Mrs. Christie had to of been a woman ahead of her time, strong, smart and independent. Well, I was right about a few things and very wrong about others. Agatha Christie was a woman who was held captive by the time period and very suppressed by her husband, society and own mother at times.

Benedict takes the reader back and forth through a dual timeline that explores the past relationship between the Christies, from how it began, evolved, and fell apart; to the present story timeline in late 1926 and Agatha Christies disappearance.

Not only was there a dual timeline, there were also dual points of view. As the chapters rotate between past and present so do our points of view. In the past and leading up to the present, the reader gets to view things through the eyes of Agatha Christie. In the present the reader gets to see things through Archibald Christie’s warped point of view. This readers is where we must remember that there are “unreliable narrators” crafting their own stories. The dual timelines and points of view are well written and well crafted. I was easily able to get a strong foothold and not become muddled between them.

This story tackles a very popular unsolved mystery in a dynamic fashion. There are many theories out there as to what “happened” to Agatha Christie and why she went missing for 10 days, but no one knows the real truth…well, Mrs. Christie does. For me, I would like to think Marie Benedict hit the nail on the head, and brought Agatha’s true character and what really happened forth!

Overall, this is a story that pulled me in and had me talking out loud to the characters, and then wishing I was in the story so I could give many of them a piece of my mind. You know a story is great when you are right there in the grips of it all. I even kept saying to myself as I read, “Oh Mrs. Christie, you go girl,” as the mystery continued to unfold.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict is an engaging historical fiction novel about Agatha Christie’s mysterious 11-day disappearance in 1926.

I’m a huge historical fiction fan. Some of my favorite ones are based on real people. I usually spend plenty of time Googling them after I finish the book!

When I read the premise for The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, I knew instantly it was a must-read. I had no idea that beloved writer Agatha Christie disappeared for 11 days back in 1926. And it was never confirmed what exactly happened—the mystery writer kept her greatest mystery close to her chest. So this is where historical fiction comes in. Marie Benedict takes a fictional look at what happened during those 11 days. And it’s an entertaining ride!

I really enjoyed The Mystery of Mrs. Christie. It’s part mystery, a portrait of a failed marriage and a look at a famous historical figure. There’s so much to discuss for book clubs with this one.

This story took a different approach than I expected, telling the story of Christie’s marriage and disappearance in parallel timelines. While young Agatha appeared throughout the earlier storyline, I missed her through the disappearance story, as her deeply unpleasant husband was the focus of the investigation.

However, Benedict wrapped up the story in a satisfyingly Christie-esque way, proving that she is just as adept at plotting as the mystery novelist herself. While we may never know what happened to Agatha for those 10 days, this story gives a plausible and intriguing explanation.

I thoroughly enjoyed this deep dive into the mind and life of Agatha Christie. Her disappearance for 11 days in 1926 swirled in speculation and controversy, Marie Benedict again brings a fascinating woman, author, and mysterious story to life in this fast paced, engaging read. Perfect for fans of historical fiction featuring real women and their stories, as well as Christie fans.

I really was very excited to read this one. However, I felt like the alternating viewpoints really let it down. For me, I found them flipping back and forth often and suddenly really took me out of the story. The story of their early marriage really did not appeal to me at all and I was hoping for a lot more detail on the actual mystery from the title, the reason I chose this book to read to start with.

An interesting story of a missing wife in a troubled marriage. Marie Benedict does it again, fascinating story of Agatha Christie.

In 1926, Agatha Christie disappeared for almost a week under circumstances that have never been fully explained. Benedict lays out an intriguing theory in this dual-voice novel. Christie herself tells of her courtship and marriage to Archie, while a narrator relates the time that she is gone, focusing on the police investigation and Archie and the impact her disappearance has on him. Smart and tight, this book is a treat for fans of Benedict and Christie alike.

Marie Benedict puts a spin on the real-life, eleven-day mysterious disappearance of Agatha Christie in December 1926. Told in alternating timelines between the present as Archie Christie's concern for his missing wife become suspect, and the past where we see Agatha honing her craft as one of the best mystery writers ever.

I'm not sure how common knowledge Agatha Christie's disappearance is. I know of it because I went through a Christie phase where I watched the movies/tv shows and read many (though not all) of her books. And in that time was intrigued by the idea that this paragon of the detective story had her own mystery. Albeit, a slightly unsatisfying one because there has never been a solid, concrete answer as to what really happened. What precipitated the disappearance.

Well, I feel like Marie Benedict gives a very plausible scenario in The Mystery of Mrs. Christie. What's more, I loved how the past sections of the book correlate so well with Agatha Christie's development as a writer and tie into the present-day mystery. What I was surprised about, but probably shouldn't be, was the idea of perception. I marveled as this woman in the 1920's seemingly having so much agency. Being completely in control of her writing. Being able to write and put her name to something in such a male dominated field. But pulling back the curtain we see that Agatha Christie struggled with finding her voice. Not really as a writer, but as a woman.

The plot is steadily-paced. Speeding up as the timelines converge and the end in sight. Seeing her growth throughout really hit home and echoes what Marie Benedict has done in her previous works up uplifting the voices of women, close to famous men, who were oftentimes kept in the background. In this case, Agatha Christie is the famous name, but moreso as an idealization of Agatha Christie the author. Marie Benedict really brings to focus Agatha Christie the woman, mother, daughter, sister, wife and I felt a sense of enrichment. I can only hope that the real-world mystery played out as satisfyingly as this fictionalized account.

Marie Benedict delivers a fictional take on the mysterious week that Agatha Christie disappeared. I have heard this story for many years now, but Benedict blends history and fiction to tell this tale.

This story told in dual timelines, the days after Christie’s disappearance told by her husband, and the second, the years and days prior to her disappearance narrated by Agatha.

This is an intriguing tale that the author weaves. The dual timelines really work for this book. This is not about just about her time missing and the investigation, but at the heart it is about a marriage, the good and the bad.

My only wish for this book is that it went a little bit further than that week in the history. If you know Christie’s biography there is so more to this story, and the ending felt a little abrupt.

This is a fun and very quick read, and overall enjoyable. Fans of Marie Benedict will love this book. And fans of Agatha Christie who want to read more about her real life mystery are in a for a treat.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In December 1926, Agatha Christie went missing, English authorities undertook an unprecedented manhunt to find the author before she eventually reappeared eleven days later claiming amnesia. To this day, no one knows what really happened but Marie Benedict imagines what might have occurred in this fun, twisty historical novel, giving a look at what could be the answer of Christie's greatest mystery of all.

I've been a fan of Benedict's writing for a while and this book may be my favorite of hers yet. I enjoyed reading about Agatha's past, and the alternating timelines - one tracking her relationship with her husband, Archie, from the time they met and the other tracking the investigation of her disappearance, which the police believe is his fault - keeps the pacing brisk. Agatha is a strong woman who had many complicated relationships and it was interesting learning about what inspired her writing and how prolific she was. - I'm excited to read some of the stories and books mentioned in this one.

Even if you've never read one of Christie's books, this is a terrific, suspenseful and colorful novel that I highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an advanced copy to review.

While it's a distant second to her career as a writer, the second thing Agatha Christie may be most famous for are the eleven days she went missing and returned with no explanation. In alternating chapters, readers get to see her family and relationship with her first husband unfold, and what may have motivated her disappearance in the form of a "manuscript", and her husband's perspective during the disappearance. This was a fast read, and a sympathetic take on Agatha Christie's life and career, and how one influenced the other. Incredibly enjoyable reading from an author who is masterful at unveiling the private lives of history's women.

I am a big fan of Christie and all her books so I was pleased to receive this for review. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity.

This was such a fun read and very well written to the time period of Agatha Christie . I enjoyed reading about Agatha from the author's viewpoint,, as a unhappy wife and Mother, a author and a celebrity for her time. The marriage to Archie is portrayed here with honesty as the author revels the story behind her disappearance. i loved that fact Agatha retained her mystery of her disappearance and how the entire world was trying to solve the mystery. A very fun read for all fans of Christie.

I found this a deeply satisfying fictional account of what happened when Agatha Christie disappeared for 11 days in December. 1926. With her husband asking for a divorce so he could marry his girlfriend, the timing of Agatha’s disappearance showcases her husband’s conceit, arrogance, and lack of concern about his wife’s unknown whereabouts. He is certainly unwilling to help the police in their search. In alternating chapters, Agatha tells the story of her meeting her husband, Archie, and the toll it took on her. Archie, on the other hand’s story, is told by a man who does not want the truth to come out, and at the end, when Agatha gets to tell him why she disappeared, the reader will cheer for her. It is not only novels in which Agatha Christy can develop a mystery plot, she can do it in her own life.

“The Mystery of Mrs. Christie” by Marie Benedict offers a fictionalized telling of a real-life enigma — the 10-day disappearance of author Agatha Christie.

Told in alternating times and perspectives — Agatha’s perspective starting from when she met her future husband, Archie Christie, up until her disappearance; and Archie’s perspective immediately following her disappearing in December 1926 — “The Mystery of Mrs. Christie” does a great job of telling the story of Agatha’s life as a young adult and young author, as well as speculating on what actions may have been taken by Archie and the police force in their search for the author now famously known as Mystery’s Grand Dame.

It also delivers great speculation — and offers an interesting conclusion — on what truly caused Agatha’s disappearance.

By fictionalizing the story, Benedict does an incredible job of taking a real incident with real people and real places and creating a book that reads like a fantastic mystery novel, and not a boring, dry documentary.

Fans of Agatha Christie as a person and novelist, as well as her books, will enjoy “The Mystery of Mrs. Christie,” as will lovers of the mystery genre in general. This book is due out Dec. 29.

Five stars out of five.

Sourcebooks Landmark provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

What a nicely plotted and executed novel of the missing 11 days in the life of Agatha Christie. The writing flows as the personalities are revealed. This isn't a cliffhanger type of story but a very enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks Landmark for the ARC to read and review.

The world will never know what truly happened when Agatha Christie disappeared, but this is a fun read!

Let's start with the usual: a big thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Ms. Benedict for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required, and all opinions are my own.

I'm a big Agatha Christie fan but somehow I was completely unaware that her actual biography was just as interesting (I'd like to say, "mysterious", but that feels a bit too on-the-nose) as her work. For me, Ms. Christie is the unparalleled grand dame of mystery writing, and nothing before or since has really come close. And yet, I was completely unaware that her own life contained a mystery as compelling as any of her stories.

I'm ALSO a fan of Marie Benedict. I enjoyed The Only Woman in the Room, and I like the attention Ms. Benedict pays to women who have hidden stories to tell. It seems unlikely but is completely true: that one of the greatest storytellers ever should have SUCH a story to tell.

The reader can guess from the beginning pretty much what's going on (unless the reader is even more obtuse than I am; even *I* figured it out) from the beginning. It's not really a secret. What IS a secret, is exactly what happened to Agatha. And in fine Christie fashion, the reveal is simultaneously a surprise and makes you feel like something of a dolt for not having puzzled it out earlier. A certain amount of the surprise and suspense are removed from the mystery by the simple fact that the reader knows (or should know) that Ms. Christie went on to write for decades more [and obviously therefore is not dead]. I thereupon went down an internet wormhole trying to find out what happened subsequently to Colonel Christie, to little Rosalind, to Nancy, and to Agatha herself.

The simultaneous viewpoints (present: Colonel Christie; past: Agatha) helped me connect to Agatha and understand the depths of desperation to which she had sunk. I could not find any sympathy for Archie but I don't know that I was meant to. I wanted to have a real come-to-Jesus talk with Agatha about her attitudes towards her daughter and her husband but I know that in those times, those attitudes were much more prevalent than they are today.

Even despite knowing generally what would happen, the journey to the end was a delight and I tore through this book at top speed. I think I would have liked a little more in-story closure to the characters but it's fine without, especially since the internet has answers for everything these days ;)

Now, I definitely want to revisit some of Agatha's early work and re-read it with her life experiences in mind.

If you've enjoyed Benedict's previous historical fiction featuring little-known heroines throughout history, you'll love this one. Agatha Christie is a famous author, but how much do we really know about her? This page-turner brings her to life and get ready to ready one of Christie's mysteries next!

‘Today, we start planning the largest manhunt England has ever seen’.

I must admit that I’ve never read an Agatha Christie novel, however, the prospect of solving the mystery disappearance of a famous mystery writer was too temping to pass up. This was an intricately orchestrated mystery that stays right in the footprints of what Christie is best known for. Cleverly laid clues meant to led the reader through a maze of discovery.

Not sure if this is based on any factual investigation or if it is totally a fictionalization because the advance copy did not include an authors note. Comment if you know. Regardless it was well done.

As I’ve said I’ve not read any of Christie’s novel, but this has definitely peaked my interest. Think fans of her writing will really enjoy this cozy mystery. 4 stars.

‘I was an unreliable narrator of my own life, with only the vaguest sense of myself.’