This book was a delightful premise, bringing in the ghost of the Queen of Crime to help book conservationist and mystery enthusiast Tory Van Dyne solve a mystery.

As with many a good cozy, this book had an array of colorful characters, and I enjoyed them all. Main character Tory and her cousin Nic were a delightful pair, and I loved the relationship between them. As the youngest members of the old money Van Dyne family, Tory and Nic are two very different people but they care for each other deeply. I love their loyalty to each other. The 11-year-old Mairead was also a charming edition to the story with her quintessential childhood bluntness. And then there’s Sebastian, the actual detective working on the case. He had the perfect blend of charming awkwardness and steady fortitude to make a girl swoon just a touch.

Then there is the alleged spectre of Mrs. Christie herself who is charming, sophisticated, and much the combination of all her best detectives. But what I loved most about her character was that she had a positive effect not just on unraveling the mysteries at hand but also on the characters themselves. Amanda did such a delightful job of creating a character as true to the woman as possible.

As for the mystery, it was easy enough to figure out on my own, but I loved the process by which the murder was explained. It was so reminiscent of a Christie novel, it made my nostalgic heart happy. I also appreciated the manner in which Sebastian included the amateur sleuths in his investigation, which is to say, he included the citizens as much as any detective would. It made the relationships between him and the other characters a bit more interesting.

As a fan of Agatha Christie, I found this book engaging with its abundance of references to Christie’s works as well as her personal life. While I found this fun, it was a tad overdone, and I can imagine the frequent references might become tedious for those who are not familiar with the extensive collection of the Queen of Crime.

At times, the story digressed, and I found some of Chapman’s descriptions specifically of locations in New York to be a bit much. It almost felt like ad placements, but then again, I am not a New Yorker and do not have the same attachment to Big Apple institutions. Even still, this was a fun read, and I look forward to what may come next for Tory, Sebastian, and the rest of the Agatha Incorporated gang!

Who wouldn’t love this charming concept? Mrs. Christie come to visit a special library and help solve murders? Though you need to suspend disbelief for some of it, I loved the modern NYC setting and the small community of misfits coming together as Agatha Inc. The twisty mystery constantly kept me guessing, and of course, Dame Agatha’s quotes and insights were gems sprinkled throughout the story. Kudos for this new series on spinning a clever premise and offering a delightful mystery to boot!

MRS. CHRISTIE AT THE MYSTERY GUILD LIBRARY By Amanda Chapman
The First Mrs. Christie Mystery

Tory Van Dyne lives a quiet stable life. While she has some issues, that she is working through thank you very much, she is the normal one in her eccentric wealthy family. She's happy living and working in the townhome her grandmother gave her running the Mystery Guild Library on the main floors, working as a book conservator in the basement, and living in private quarters on the top floors. Tory starts to question her sanity when she meets a woman in the Christie Room, a woman who claims to be Agatha Christie herself! To top it off she says she's there to help solve a murder mystery! A poisoning sets off warning bells and when Tory's effervescent cousin, Nic's, agent dies they wonder. Could it be murder? When a second person dies under mysterious circumstances there's no longer much doubt. With the help of Mrs. Christie, Tory and her friends start to piece together the clues and work to solve a murder mystery!

I loved, loved, loved this book! Agatha Christie coming back to help solve a murder mystery. Quirky friends. Monied old New York. A smidge of romance. What more could you ask for? Oh yeah, an incredibly complex, intricately plotted mystery. MRS. CHRISTIE AT THE MYSTERY GUILD LIBRARY delivers on all accounts!

I was delighted to meet Tory, a protagonist who's vulnerable, yet strong, naive, yet knowledgeable. Flighty Nic is charming, despite her faults, the hot detective is smart and kind in addition to being hot, Adrian is a wonderful foil, and Mairead is a very special kid! And then there's Agatha Christie herself. From Tory thinking Mrs. Christie must be a fan girl, well, fan woman, to Adrian who doesn't believe in anything, the progression of belief in Mrs. Christie is wonderful. More than helping solve a murder or two, Mrs. Christie helps people become better. The characters are all incredibly unique, each with their own foibles and strengths. Even the minor characters. I was most impressed with Norman and I can't forget the drag stewardesses.

I love how quotes are incorporated, not only at the start of a chapter, but in actual dialogue! The amount of research necessary to find just the right Agatha Christie quote to seamlessly and appropriately fit in conversation is somewhat awe inspiring!

Smart, funny, and able to tug at the heartstrings MRS. CHRISTIE AT THE MYSTERY GUILD LIBRARY is a phenomenal start to a new series.

This was absolutely awesome! I haven’t read a lot of Agatha Christie but I’ve read enough to recognize the basic style the author was going for and totally enjoyed the idea of the Queen of Mystery herself visiting a smallish library that had a library room just like her own. I really liked the key players in the story as well and that young girl that joined the mystery solvers, Mairead, she was a hoot sometimes and honestly just a very cool kid.

The extreme detail of the explanation definitely reminded me of reading an Agatha Christie mystery, and even the skeptical Adrian found himself believing in…something. I loved the lengthy author’s note that told a lot about her writing journey of the book and just mentioned some things that I thought were pretty cool. It looks like it’ll be a series, so I look forward to visiting more with Mrs. Christie.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Berkley Publishing, and my opinions are my own.

A charming take on a “Golden Age” mystery that even includes Agatha herself returning from the grave to help solve murders. Tory is a book conservator and member of an old New York moneyed family which includes fun eccentrics (Great Aunt believes she’s a goldfish) and a grandmother who was a mystery book devotee. Grandmother turned her Washington Square mansion into a Mystery Library, book rare book conservation lab in the basement and sumptuous top 2 floor apartment for Tory. The Library even includes a very precise replica of Agatha Christie’s library from her holiday house in Britain. Tory oversees the Library, dresses in vintage couture, avoids most of her family except for obligatory Sunday dinners and gets her ditzy, self-absorbed cousin Nicola out of scrapes. One evening, Tory goes into the Christie room and finds a woman who introduces herself as Mrs. Mallowan (Agatha’s real last name) who bears an uncanny resemblance to the great lady. Tory believes she is a very enthusiastic Christie fan despite the lady telling her that she is Agatha returned from the grave to help solve a murder. Tory doesn’t know that the first in a series of related murders has already happened and is surprised when Nic shows up at her door with news of the death of her talent agent. Things spin out from there with Tory and an eclectic squad of characters, including a hot detective and Mrs. Mallowan, set out to find whodunit. It’s a fun read…especially if you’re a Christie fan…there are lots of Easter eggs.

This cozy mystery debut by Amanda Chapman was SO, SO, SO much fun and so very clever!! I loved the premise of a library dedicated to Agatha Christie and rare copies of classics set in modern day NYC. When book conservator Tory Van Dyne starts seeing the ghost of Agatha Christie she's at first baffled but when she gets caught up in a murder mystery and Mrs. Christie starts helping, things get really entertaining.

There were a ton of red herrings, a unique form of murder method, lots of fun quotes from Christie's books and a great cast of secondary characters and a touch of romance between Tory and the lead detective investigating the murders. 10/10 recommend and I really hope we get more featuring Tory and Mrs. Christie!

It was also excellent on audio narrated by Patti Murin. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

What an absolute delight this book turned out to be! I was instantly charmed by the setting—the Mystery Guild Library in NYC, complete with its own Agatha Christie room. It’s the kind of place every mystery lover dreams of wandering into, and Chapman made it feel so alive that I could practically smell the old books and hear the hush of turning pages.

The story itself has the whimsical, light-hearted charm of a classic Topper movie. The characters are quirky, fun, and thoroughly endearing—just the right mix to keep the tone playful while still weaving in a clever mystery. I loved how each chapter began with an Agatha Christie quote, a touch that felt like both a nod to the Queen of Crime and an invitation into her world.

One of the most clever touches, though, was giving us the ghost of Agatha Christie herself—only present within her own room at the library. She isn’t just a novelty or a gimmick; she feels like a fully realized character with wit, insight, and a mischievous sparkle that makes every one of her appearances a joy. It was such a brilliant way to let Christie’s spirit (quite literally!) hover over the story.

Another bold choice Chapman made was shifting into a script format for one scene. While I wasn’t entirely sure of the reasoning behind that stylistic change, I still enjoyed the way it broke up the flow and added a unique texture to the reading experience.

The pacing stays consistent throughout—never dragging, never rushing—a perfect medium pace that balances character moments with plot twists. And most importantly, Chapman truly captures the essence of an Agatha Christie mystery. The atmosphere, the wit, the careful layering of clues—it all felt like a warm homage to the kind of story that keeps readers guessing with a smile on their faces.

If you’re a fan of cozy, clever mysteries with a touch of whimsy and a lot of heart, Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library is an absolute treat.

I will tell you right now that the main reason I wanted to read this book is that it includes Agatha Christie as a character. Books that feature historical figures often pique my interest, as I want to see how the author portrays them. Since I love reading Agatha Christie’s books, I also enjoy reading books that feature her.

My biggest issue with the book was in the first third or so, when Tory was stumbling over what to call Mrs. Christie when talking about her to other characters. It kept pulling me out of the book. Yes, I understand her shock and awe at meeting her idol. But her constant stumbling was hard to read. Once she stopped doing that, the book flowed a lot more.

There are several quotes throughout the book from Christie’s books, both as chapter headers and in the dialogue. I didn’t find them to be spoilers, even though I haven’t read all of the books mentioned. And those from the books I have read made me smile.

While I had my suspicions about who the murderer was, it was still a surprise when it was explained. I’m also not 100% sure I believe the murders could have happened in the way described.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library. If you enjoy reading Agatha Christie books, I think you will enjoy reading Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library. I think any mystery reader will enjoy it as well.

Tory Van Dyne, who comes from a wealthy New York family, has her ideal job at the Mystery Guild Library: preserving books. Imagine Tory's surprise when someone who looks exactly like Dame Agatha takes one of the "Christie Room"'s wingback chairs and tells her that she needs to get ready to solve a murder—one that hasn't even occurred yet. This is a lovely debut, full of witty language, intriguing characters, and a dash of romance.

Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library by Amanda Chapman was such a clever and engaging read. I loved how it wove together literary history, intrigue, and a touch of nostalgia for classic mysteries. The atmosphere pulled me right in, and the nods to Agatha Christie made the story feel even more special. It’s a book that mystery lovers like me will truly appreciate.

United States Publication: August 26, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

Tory receives the surprise of her life when one night, while winding down in the Christie Room at the Manhattan Mystery Guild Library, the famed Mrs. Christie appears from the Great Beyond. Well. A woman, who looks an awful lot like Agatha Christie but certainly cannot be, appears. Tory, to appease a woman who isn't in her right mind, engages in conversation, but as it goes along, she fears maybe she, Tory, isn't in her right mind because this lady is a convincing Mrs. Christie. Certain that it is a figment of her imagination, when other people can see and interact with Mrs. Christie (but only in the Christie Room), Tory gives in to the wildly improbable, but it seems very real, fact that Mrs. Christie is visiting her from the Great Beyond.

And not a moment too soon. The Queen of Crime is available to assist in the solving of an accidental dog poisoning, a very real death, and an attempted death - most of the activity seems to end back up in Tory's cousin, Nic's, orbit. Is Nic the perpetrator or the intended, or just a person who happens to know the deceased and almost deceased? Mrs. Christie guides the group of wanna be sleuths toward the outcomes that will give them the answers they need. Agatha Inc. is on the case!

This was a rough start for me. I almost gave it up, but decided to give it another chapter or two before I called it quits. Fortunately, that chapter or two turned it around for me, and I ended up enjoying this title. Let's be clear, this isn't highbrow reading, nor did I expect or even want it to be, but it did end up being an enjoyable read. I almost gave it up because it felt very...new author, perhaps teamed up with a new editor. In other words, it was reading a bit clunky and undeveloped. But then, in that magical chapter or two (for me), the rough edges got smoothed out a bit and things settled down so the story and characters could feel more natural. I was very intrigued to find out that several "Christie Rooms" exist in various libraries around the world. As a massive fan of Agatha Christie myself, I would 100% want to visit one of those rooms, if not the actual one at her holiday home, Greenway House. It's a fun idea to resurrect famous crime authors who are no longer of this world and have them assist in the solving of present-day crimes.

2.5⭐️ I think I might be in the minority here, but I just could not get into this book.

There were several things that didn’t really work for me here. The main character felt a little dull (if only I had a dollar for every time she said “um”), and I had a hard time really getting behind her. The plot pace was pretty slow, and for how long this book was, I needed a little more to draw me in. The way the mystery wrapped up at the end felt a little underwhelming to me, mainly because it was a “let me explain exactly how this happened” situation, rather than showing me during the rest of the book.

All that said, there were enjoyable things about this book. The characters are definitely entertaining, and I found some of them endearing. I also wasn’t expecting the twist at the end, and thought it was an interesting way to have a murder mystery go.

I don’t think this book was for me, but I can see other people really liking it.

4/5 stars: This is Chapman's stand-alone which is a Paranormal Cozy-ish Mystery that's set in New York City and features a book conservator who finds herself teaming up with Agatha Christie, who's on holiday from the Great Beyond, a snarky librarian, an eleven-year-old computer whiz and an NYPD detective to investigate the suspicious death of her cousin's less-than-lovable talent agent. With plenty of twists and turns, Chapman has crafted a mystery that balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Smart and witty, Chapman's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining likable. Tory's a great character and it was fun getting to know her, the grand dame of Golden Age mystery, Agatha Christie, her sleuthing crew AKA Agatha Inc: Adrian, Mairead (and her dog, Tony) and Sebastian and her eclectic family and friends. Chapman really brings Mrs Christie/Mallowan to life, I also enjoyed all of the included quotes from Christie's books. Chapman's touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and check the CWs.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Agatha Christie has come back from the dead and she's in the mystery library Tory manages to help solve a murder that hasn't happened yet. Yep. And then there is a murder and Agatha and Tory, along with a young computer whiz, team up to clear Tory's cousin Nic and find the real villain. It's an interesting twist on a cozy. Fans of Christie might get more out of this than I did because there are a lot of what are clearly Christie quotes and scenarios. That said, I enjoyed it as a clever romp. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

As an avid Agatha Christie fan with a lifelong passion for books and rare book rooms, I was intrigued by the premise of this book where book conservator Tory Van Dyne teams up with a woman claiming to be Agatha Christie to solve a murder in Manhattan’s Mystery Guild Library. However, despite its spirited setup and quirky cast including a snarky librarian and an eleven-year-old computer whiz, the story fell flat for me. The supernatural Christie angle felt forced and didn’t capture the charm or cleverness of her real mysteries, while the plot meandered through too many eccentric characters without enough focus. It’s a creative idea that might appeal to cozy mystery fans, but for this Christie devotee, it just didn’t quite come together.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library by Amanda Chapman is a breezy, cozy mystery set within the exclusive world of New York City's old money elite. The story features Tory Van Dyne, a book conservationist who inherited the Mystery Guild Library and a fabulous Greenwich Village apartment from her grandmother.

One evening a middle aged woman presents herself as Agatha Christie, returned from beyond to solve a murder that hasn’t happened yet. Tory initially thinks that “the so-called Mrs Christie” is having a mental break, but they soon find themselves in the midst of a murder mystery and develop a friendship that helps Tory regain her confidence after a traumatic event.

I definitely became more invested in the story as I got to know all of the unique characters and the bodies began to build up. I especially loved the references to the vintage couture that Tory, her cousin, Nic, and her head librarian, Adrian, all wear, as well as all of the NYC hot spots. The slow burn romance between Tory and the “hot detective” also kept me engaged. Fans of cozy mysteries will appreciate this quick and charming read. 3.75/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Amanda Chapman’s cozy “Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library” (out Aug. 26 from Berkley, $29) is a witty, high-concept whodunit that answers a question you didn’t know you had: what if Agatha Christie returned from the afterlife to solve a murder in Manhattan?

Tory Van Dyne, a book conservator and reluctant heiress to a fading old-money family, has settled into a quiet life among rare editions and library cats. But everything changes when a woman claiming to be Christie materializes in the library’s replica Christie Room, demanding a cocktail and offering her expertise for a murder that hasn’t happened yet. What follows is a self-aware romp through mystery tropes with an unlikely team of sleuths: a snarky librarian, a preteen hacker, a brooding detective with questionable fashion choices and Tory’s drama-prone cousin.

Chapman balances warmth and absurdity, weaving in Christie quotes, closed-circle suspense and enough emotional depth to keep things grounded. A love letter to golden-age mysteries with a modern twist, “Mrs. Christie” is pure fun, and a promising start to a new series.

I absolutely adored Amanda Chapman’s latest novel, MRS. CHRISTIE AT THE MYSTERY GUILD LIBRARY. It is Marple meets Only Murders in the Building meets Murder, She Wrote. It is a smart and witty story that consists of an intricately crafted mystery with a plausible solution that kept me guessing, high quality prose, and well-rounded characters. The novel is the perfect selection to read while sitting on the porch / deck and enjoying a steaming cup of tea.

Agatha Christie has been granted a reprieve from the elysian fields to return to the land of the living and help Victoria (Tory) Van Dyne solve a murder. In Chapman’s novel, Ms. Christie, crafted with consummate grace, is in New York, residing in a facsimile of her own study in Tory Van Dyne’s residence, which also happens to house the Mystery Guild Library. Over the course of the story, Tory assembles the requisite team to help her and Mrs. Christie, meeting with regularity to discuss the case over cocktails.

Chapman does not try to write like Dame Agatha. Instead, she pays homage to the Queen of Crime, telling the story in her own voice, featuring a number of scenes that will have readers nodding their heads, smiling, as they are very Christie-esque. In fact, I predict that many a reader will turn to their personal tattered copies of Christie novels for a re-read upon finishing Chapman’s novel. And that is quite a tribute to Ms. Chapman and this highly diverting book.

Fans of Richard Osman, Liza Tully, Kat Ailes, Richard Thorogood, Catherine Mack, Karen Dukess, and E.C. Nevin will adore Amanda Chapman’s novel.

4.5 stars/5

So many mysteries! I really liked this book and the mysterious Mrs. Christie, along with the other characters. The pacing was a little on the slow side. Will Mrs Christie return?!

As an Agatha Christie’ fan I was pleasantly delighted at finding this read. It's so good!!

The premise of Christie herself drawn into a web of murder at a mysterious library is instantly appealing. and then the mystery itself is satisfying, peppered with red herrings and nods to Christie’s own famous plots. I correctly guessed a few twists but still enjoyed the reveals, which felt earned rather than forced. The pacing is steady, though it lingers a touch in the middle before picking up speed toward the finale.

I was a little shocked by the f-bombs. Like WTF is up with that?! lol