The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont is a 2022 St. Martin’s Press publication.

The eleven days that Agatha Christie went missing is one of the most debated 'unsolved' mysteries of all time.

While the frantic search was on for Christie, the possible catalyst for her disappearance was her husband Archie’s infidelities. Archie had apparently fallen in love and asked Agatha for a divorce, not long after the passing of her mother. Who had Archie fallen so hard for that he was willing to break up his marriage? Who was ‘Nan O’Dea’ and why did she set out to lure Archie away from his wife?

This novel is a very crafty imagining of what might have happened during the eleven days, in 1926, when Agatha Christie vanished. Here, Agatha must share the spotlight with 'Nan', who recounts her life leading up to Agatha’s disappearance, her upbringing, her life in Ireland, and the sad circumstances of war that disrupted her life and future, which has led her to this point.

This narrative will take readers by surprise as one goes from disliking the calculating femme fatale who had the audacity to steal Agatha’s husband, to becoming a sympathetic character one is tempted to root for- but only cautiously.

The mystery of Agatha Christie’s disappearance is endlessly fascinating to me. I admit, though, that I have never found myself all that curious about Archie’s second wife and have never considered what her personal circumstances might have been.

This story reveals ‘Nan’s' motive for going after Archie- and it's one you might not suspect- though the clues are there all along. The mystery within a mystery, and the drama surrounding Agatha’s lengthy disappearance, combined with Nan’s personal story meshes together to make a fascinating and compelling, and simply fabulous story.

I got all wrapped up in this story. It is very well written, though one will have to stay focused to keep up with the timelines and narratives. The characters are well-drawn, with police inspector Chilton being a personal favorite.

I knew this was going to be a good book before I even read the first page. I just had a good feeling about it. But I had no idea I would step into a world this rich and luxurious. Wow!

I was absolutely riveted to the drama, so entrenched in Nan and Agatha’s competition that it took me by surprise when I found myself mired in a novel of suspense. Well, duh! We are talking about Agatha Christie here. How very diabolically clever!

The author did a fantastic job of approaching this age-old mystery from a fresh perspective and handled the material with much respect, while ending the story in a slightly bittersweet, but appealingly pleasant way.

I couldn’t help but love every single delicious page of it!!

4.5 stars

Whatever happened to Agatha Christie when she disappeared for eleven days? This is a fictional telling of that time from her husband's mistress. This book will keep you guessing until the end!

My aim in 2022 has been to branch out and read books by authors that I am not familiar with. This was my first Nina de Gramont book, and I can say it will not be my last! Plus, it was bonus points to find out she is in my native state of North Carolina! My old soul loves books set in the late 1800s/early 1900s. The story of Archie and Agatha seemed to be that of a typical tender family raising their child together. Both were settled in careers and living the family life--along comes Nan to change things dramatically! I really wanted Finbarr and Nan to be together at the end of the book, as well as Agatha and Teddy. I would have been fine with Archie disappearing never to be heard from again. I will definitely be recommending this book to my reader friends!

I couldn't get into this one! I know tons of people loved it, but I wasn't feeling the voice of the narrator. Historical fiction isn't always my favorite, so perhaps it wasn't the right time for me to try to get into this one. I"ll give it another try another time!

I’m a huge Agatha Christie fan so anything related to the Queen of Crime immediate intrigues me. In The Christie Affair author Nina de Gramont writes a fictional tale of Agatha Christie’s famous 11 day disappearance in the 1920’s, told from the perspective of Christie’s husband’s mistress. This book is purely fiction but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment.

Although the famous crime novelist plays an important part in the story I couldn’t help but think of her as more of a secondary character as this story is not hers, it’s Nan O’Dea’s story. I really loved Nan’s character and thought her story was just heartbreaking.

Not what I was expecting at all from this historical fiction but I thought it was a fantastic read.

On December 3, 1926 famed mystery writer Agatha Christie is told by her husband Archie that he is in love with another woman. The couple quarrels after he makes this devastating announcement and leaves to spend the weekend with his mistress, not his wife. Later that evening Agatha, devastated by the news, packs a few things and leaves their estate in her precious sports car. She is not seen or heard from again for 11 days. During this time Archie appears shocked while the household staff points fingers at him. His girlfriend quietly leaves town. The police are called as the entire country begins a massive search for the famed author, mother and wife. Was this news story fodder for her latest book release? A public relations scandal to hold onto a crumbling marriage? The Christie Affair is cleverly narrated by Nan O’Dea, Archie’s mistress. Nan has her own agenda and personal history that has been well hidden. When Nan’s backstory crosses paths with the present search party she can no longer deny her unexpected role in the Christie’s life. This fictionalized account of what could have been, might have been - of one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of all time is positively mesmerizing. A novel not unlike one of Agatha’s own creations.

What really happened during Agatha Christie's disappearance in 1926? This story uncovers the mystery from the POV of the woman having an affair with Christie's husband. I am fascinated with Christie's disappearance, so this book was right up my alley. If you are intrigued with Christie's disappearance, this book provides a plausible explanation and as an added benefit, includes an Agatha Christie type murder investigation, as well. A mystery within a mystery!

I really liked this book. I love historical fiction to begin with and its always interesting to find a book based on a real person or event and see what sort of spin an author can take on it. It begins in 1926 when Agatha Christie disappeared for about 11 days and never provided any explanation for where she was. We are told the story byNan O'Dea who is Agatha's husband's mistress. We learn about Nan and Agatha as two intersecting stories throughout the book. I loved that there was also a bit of intrigue with a murder mystery.

The Christie Affair is about the famous author Agatha Christie 's mystery missing event. The day after Agatha's husband Archie tells her he is divorcing Agatha and leaving her for his mistress, Agatha Christie disappeared without a trace for 11 days. She was later found at a hotel in Yorkshire, England, registered under a different name and with no memory of her last 11 days. Nobody know what is really happened.
I have across some works about this topic, recently, Movie and books, this is one of them.
The book has been told by Nan - Agatha's husband's mistress - point of review. It's different but I don't like it. Nan is the lease interested figure that I cared of the whole mystery. it make me lost interest from the beginning.
There are also unsolved questions. this book is not for me. I should DNF it.
generous 2.5 stars

"The Christie Affair" is, by title alone, a story about Agatha Christie's famous short-term disappearance. The twist here is that the book is from the point of view of Agatha Christie's husband's affair partner (here, Nan O'Dea.) The book interweaves a fictionalized take on Nan's life with the lead-up to, and process of, the infamous disappearance.

What's good: I found myself more interested in Nan's backstory than the story of the disappearance. That's the sign of a compelling character.

What's iffier: The book takes some hard plot turns. I can't say they're without any foreshadowing, in fairness, but following them is a bit of a challenge. In addition, the ending is a struggle; as the narrator admits, there's no tidy way to depart this story. Finally, I felt some of the language, some of the saga related to a dreamlike moment in the story, was a bit of overkill (if one can use that word in anything involving Agatha Christie!)

With thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for granting me an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Where did Agatha Christie go when she disappeared for eleven days in 1926? What books have you read recently with Irish characters or settings?

The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont is the Brenda Novak Book Group selection for March. I am looking forward to the meeting and interview with the author next week.

The Christie Affair takes place during the eleven days that Agatha Christie disappeared in 1926. I thought this book was about Agatha Christie, but it is actually about Nan O’Dea. Nan O’Dea is Archie Christie’s mistress, and she narrates the novel. Why would Nan want to marry an already married man? The novel goes back and forth between the past that brought Nan to this point and where Agatha and Nan end up during the disappearance.

This ended up being a good book for March as much of Nan’s past story was set in Ireland. She had a great love, Finbarr who fought in the first World War. She became pregnant with his child after his return from war. As he is struck down with the flu epidemic, his parents take the unwed Nan to a convent to have her baby. It is a traumatic experience.

The story was very engaging, especially once I let go of my preconceived notions that this was a book about Agatha Christie. It is historical fiction, but it is about real people. It fictionalizes the lives of two real women, which I don’t know how I feel about. I’m used to the story being true and the fiction part filling in the details. In this book, fiction is made up about both characters and Agatha’s daughter. I also wondered why everyone wanted Archie Christie. He had no redeeming qualities.

The best parts of the book were unraveling the mystery of Nan, why she would want Archie Christie, and the romance between her and Finbarr. The mysterious deaths at the spa and how it tied into everything were like an Agatha Christie novel.

Overall, The Christie Affair was a good historical mystery about Archie Christie’s mistress.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨ The Christie Affair - Nina de Gramont

i can see why this is a @reesesbookclub pick & @bookofthemonth add on! this book was fast paced, entertaining & gripping! i must confess, i knew nothing about agatha christie prior to this book yet i really, really enjoyed this one. i need to know everything about AC & her life now!! 🤯

👍🏼: both nan & agatha’s stories were FASCINATING. i love how they were told in past & present, as well as, separately & intertwined. there were a lot of storylines, dates, places, etc. going on but it was very easy to follow. there was a plot but it was also v character driven. with that, the character development & surprises were very well done

👎🏼: honestly nan’s story was so gripping i think it should be a book in & of itself. i think this could have been 2-3 books (nan’s story, agatha’s story & how they overlap) & the reader would leave much more satisfied! a minor squabble but i was left with wanting more - more information, more on where the characters end up, more on their past & just more detail

RECOMMEND?: yes! if you’re in the mood for a historical fiction with a side of mystery - this would be a perfect book for you 🕵️‍♀️

SYNOPSIS: go in blind!

When Agatha Christie was asked where she was when she disappeared in late 1926, she said “I don’t remember”. Throughout the rest of her life she never addressed the episode again and, to this day, it has remained a mystery. Many have speculated and written about it, and Nina de Gramont is the latest author to use this event as the focus of her novel, The Christie Affair.

Now, I must say, this was a surprising read and not at all what I expected. My opinion of the book vacillated more than once as I read the fictionalized story of Agatha Christie’s famous eleven-day disappearance. At first it was simply interesting and entertaining, and then it took off like the proverbial rocket.

The story presents twists and unexpected revelations that I didn’t see coming. The author has used backstories and the perspectives of Nan, the mistress of Agatha’s husband, to weave a tale of deception and conflict. Nan’s personal story is enthralling as well as heartbreaking. Agatha’s personality is well-defined and the descriptions of her are not at all what I expected. Finally, the settings are so well-constructed and described that it’s easy to imagine the lifestyle that the various characters enjoyed or endured.

The Christie Affair is a debut novel that is well-written, clever, thoughtful, and simply and absolutely entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I will definitely look forward for more books from this new and talented author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

I requested this book from NetGalley based solely on the cover. I may have had some vague idea it had something to do with Agatha Christie. All that being said, I hang my head and admit I've never read an Agatha Christie book. Along with that I knew nothing about the lady herself.

I love fiction that is based on true events. When an author can make me interested in a topic or person who I previously had very little knowledge about, for me, it makes them an even better author. As I read this book I found myself Googling Agatha Christie and she did disappear for a short time just before her divorce from her husband Archie. Archie did go on to marry his mistress. The explanation for her disappearance was not much more than the "I don't remember" of this book.

This book took these events and weaved them into a wonderful story of imagination. Told from mostly the mistress's viewpoint, Nan O'Day, with other points of view thrown in, including Agatha's. There are also flashbacks to Nan's early days and first love, Finbar who served in WWI then had a near death bout of the flu. I admit that the sections titled "Here lies Sister Mary" threw me for a bit, but patience is a virtue and all is explained and tied back in with a bow on top.

Now, I will go read some Agatha Christie book, if there was ever a time, it is now.

I feel like this book took me forever to read, and I'm not really sure why. I felt like Nanwas an unreliable narrator, and that the POV changed a lot and often times without warning. The story was intriguing though. I e always loved stories about what happened during those 11 infamous days Agatha Christie went missing, and Nans heartbreaking story just added to the mystery and drama of the book. I loved the way the author overlapped the stories and ended the book making you wonder how honest the narrator really was.

Overall, it wasn't a bad story, but it also wasn't my favorite. I gave it three stars be ause there were elements that I really enjoyed but also some that made it a slower, more difficult read. I did love how de Gramont wrote Agatha's story in a very Agatha way. The home feel of it was so similar to Agatha Christie's own writing that it could have been her own.
Thank you #netgalley and #stmartinspress for the ACR copy.

Anyone who reads Agatha Christie, or even those who don't, probably know about how she mysteriously disappeared for 11 days in 1926, when her husband was on the verge of leaving her for his mistress, and she famously never gave any explanation of where she was during the time of her absence. The Christie Affair is a fictional account of what happened during that time, as told by the woman who was behind the marriage breakup.

You must know going into the book that Agatha Christie is not the main character. The mistress, who here is called Nan O'Dea is our narrator and it's her story to tell. It was an inventive tale and the author did a believable job of spinning a pretty far fetched reason why Nan became Archie's mistress.

Agatha is portrayed mostly sympathetically, except for her total disengagement from her child during this period. However she is given her own story plot which helps her get over the indignity of being left by her husband. In the midst of the disappearance story line there is a double murder which is being investigated. The solution to "who dun it" has a very Hercule Periot type twist which I found very clever. Really my only complaint with this book was there were a couple of areas in the retelling of Nan's story where the plot dragged. Overall, though I found the writing kept me totally engaged, and I applaud the author for her very inventive plot, but still making me buy into it!

I would rate this a 4.5, but since that is not possible, I am rounding up to 5 because I think it is a great effort! Thank you to author Nina de Gramont, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I thought this would be more about the famous Christie disappearance than the life of the mistress that helped cause it. So, while different than what I thought, not necessarily bad. Peripherally, the disappearance is covered, the book's heroine is really Nan O'Dea, mistress of Archie. The story goes into her past, some quite sad with several twists and turns. I was struck at how the author drew so many similarities between Agatha and Nan.

The Christie Affair is set in 1925. The author, Nina de Gramont does such a spectacular job of portraying that period of time. She really gets inside the characters heads and I felt that I really related to both of them. Agatha is none other than a fictional version of the real-life Agatha Christie. Nan, is a young woman who has wiggled her way into the very middle of Agatha's marriage with Archie and is actively working to tear them apart.

The only problem? Agatha still loves Archie despite his cheating. And while Nan is cunning, so is Agatha. The Christie Affair is the tale of how both women try to outwit the other and learn that ultimately there are things in life that are worth every sacrifice.

This one comes with so much praise! It's a Reese's Book Club Pick, a New York Times Bestseller and has rave reviews from the Wall Street Journal, Kirkus, Publisher's Weekly. As a book publicist myself, this book is a publisher's dream.

I found the story very compelling, but for me, it ebbed and flowed a bit. I'd hit a super interesting part and couldn't put it down, then I'd have trouble getting though a couple pages. I didn't rate it quite as high as many others, but I suspect it has something to do with the fact that I haven't read Agatha Christie and wasn't aware of her disappearance. I think if you had a special interest, this book would knock your socks off.

Special thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced e-galley in exchange for my honest review.

I found this book to be slow and boring. The plot was all over the places. I was thrown off by Nan knowing all of the other characters motivations and feelings. There was a lot of fluff written but nothing much moving the plot along.

When The Christie Affair first popped up on Netgalley, I was so intrigued! I had never heard that Agatha Christie disappeared for nine days and never told anyone where she went. But once I’d heard…I needed an answer, however fictional!

The story is told from the perspective of Nan O’Dea, who happens to be having an affair with Agatha Christie’s husband. The story unfolds in a dreamy timeline, starting before The Disappearance and mostly moving towards Agatha’s reappearance. There are a few detours along the way, including Nan’s backstory.

Something I loved about this book was Nan and Agatha’s relationship. While they were rivals, there was none of the nasty language and villanizing you see with most stories that have women set up as romantic rivals. They were both fully dimensional characters, and viewed each other as such.

Read this book if you like:
✨ mystery
✨ historical fiction
✨ love stories
✨the book “Before We Were Yours” - similar vibe, different aesthetic.