Agatha Christie: Plots, Clues and Misdirections

As a huge Agatha Christie fan, I was delighted with this volume. The authors are retired doctors who read, reread, and analyzed her plots to figure out how she managed to enthrall so many people for so long. What they offer is an entertaining look at all of her mysteries to figure out how they tick. The clues, red herrings, suspects, detectives… I particularly liked how they add warnings about which books they’ll be spoiling, if any. At this point I’ve read most of them, so I only had to skip a few parts. But even if you’re a newbie, you’ll be able to learn much without having to skip too many paragraphs. The style is conversational, clear and concise. The book is short and can be read quickly. The best part is that the love and respect the authors have for these novels shines through and, since you’re reading this book, you probably share their fandom, you’ll be smiling the whole time. The only thing I disliked was realizing how I have forgotten some plots. On the flip side, rereading them will solve my problem. For Dame Agatha’s readers and possibly writers who aspire to write perfect books.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#The Book Guild!

An interesting read on the writing style of Agatha Christie. I like how the authors mention in the beginning about reading her books at least three times, with different approaches: looking for the puzzle (clues), the craft (how she leads the reader), and the inspiration (her writing in order and over time). Each chapter breaks down different parts and gives examples of her methods. Enjoyed this one, and would have happily taken a class like this back in the days when I was going for a degree in literature. Fun read and one I highly recommend.

Sally and Tony Hope started reading Agatha Christie together when they were both in medical school. Now retired, they decided to do a more structured reading and analysis of how the Queen of Crime practiced her art. The result is this fun book, which lays out the ways Christie used her plots, clues, and misdirections to create the puzzles that fans know and have loved for over a century.

To write this book, they read each Christie 3 times looking at the specific ways she crafted her stories. Each section does give spoilers, but the books for which this is an issue are listed at the beginning, so readers who haven't read those books yet can save those chapters for later. They do not discuss every book, but rather tend to focus on the same few, with a few others thrown in here and there.

I really enjoyed this book a lot. It was a really good read and made me want to read some Christie with their thoughts in mind. I did have two quibbles with the book--one purely personal preference and one about content. To take the latter issue first, at one point they talk about a book that they say they haven't read but they ;believe' the author of that book is making a particular kind of argument, which they have something to say about. I don't think this needs to be in the book and fortunately it was only a paragraph, but if they haven't read the book, probably best not to discuss it at all, in my opinion. As for my personal quibble, I disagree with them about the best portrayal of Miss Marple and think Joan Hickson was the best. Whenever I think of Miss Marple--my favourite of Christie's detectives--I picture Joan Hickson. But to each their own :-) I do love the description of Miss Marple when they say that, "She is an iron fist in an angora mitten of her own design." Fabulous.

If you're a Christie fan, this would be a great one to pick up and I highly recommend it.

Authors and retired physician Sally and Tony Hope thoughtfully read each of the incomparable Agatha Christie's sixty six mystery novels three times with three goals in mind: the puzzle, her craft and inspiration. The biggest deception of all is to think Christie's writing is simple but therein lies the deception. The authors refer to other mystery authors such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Dorothy Sayers as well as their characters to compare and contrast. The Ronald Knox Ten Commandments of Detective Fiction were shattered to bits when Christie arrived on the scene!

So many delectable bits to read about such as the idea of the psychopath and serial killers. Christie was superb at concealing the identity of the victim, the use of some repetition in her books, her use of partners in crime, identity theft, unidentifiable corpse, plots and misdirections, One of my favourites I frequently think of whilst reading her novels is what is left unsaid or an absence of something. We are always trying to remember obscure clues in case they figure into the story. She has an ingenius way of using clue clusters and mirrors to prove eyewitnesses did not see what they think they did. Another important point in this book is that Christie did not patronize her readers which I always appreciate. She also used grammar and word plays in trickery as well as comedy in oodles of ways. Not only that but "red kippers" and detective deceptions. The format of this book and manner of writing is entertaining yet informative.

Agatha Christie fans (she would be at the top of my list of favourite authors to have tea, fish paste sandwiches and violet creams with) absolutely should read this. If you are new to her, do take into account the spoiler alerts in which books discussed are listed. For those like me who have read each of her works multiple times, you may pick up a new perspective or item of interest. Either way, spending time with Agatha Christie is never, ever a waste of time. If this fun book doesn't budge your little grey cells, what will?

My sincere thank you to The Book Guild and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this spectacular book, one I pored over and happily learned from. After reading it I promptly went to my personal Christie library to fall in love with her stellar reading yet again. Agatha Christie is her own genre.

A look into the world of Agatha Christie's books. This one takes a look at plot devices, clue methods, and misdirections the Queen of Crime uses.

I thought this would be more analytical but it is just more a collation of ideas across her books. Still an interesting read to see how she used these same devices across multiple books.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is an academic look at Agatha Christie's plots with a breakdown of clues, literary devices, misdirection, etc. It's a short but entertaining read for all mystery readers, writers and everyone in between! If you enjoy plot development and analyzing Agatha Christie's murder mysteries, this is the book for you. Mandatory reading for anyone wanting to write in the mystery literary genre.

Agatha Christie: Plots, Clues and Misdirections explores the way Agatha Christie structured her detective novels in order to deceive us as readers. It also looks at more general techniques used in most crime fiction.

This book made some really interesting observations and as a huge Agatha Christie fan I found it fascinating learning about the tactics she used in her whodunnits. It was also intriguing to learn about Christie’s influences and where the inspiration for some of her most famous novels came from.

However the same few books were used as evidence for each point so it began to feel quite repetitive and some of the points being made felt too similar to each other. Furthermore I did find some of the medical analogies used throughout slightly tedious and it did feel like it went off on a bit of a tangent at times.

Overall this was a fascinating read if you’re a fan of Agatha Christie but I wish a wide range of examples had been examined.

I have always been rather proud of the fact that I have read every single Agatha Christie book once but both the authors of this book have read them all three times. It is this achievement and an obvious love for the Queen of Crime that informs every single page of this splendid book.
The authors have taken a scalpel to Christie and performed a very detailed post mortem on the secrets of her success and her continued prominence both in print and on screen.
Agatha Christie liked to break the rules and here are all the clues of how she managed to do it. This is all fascinating stuff. A must-read for all Christie fans and a marvellous guide to anyone discovering her work for the first time.

What a genius idea! Sally and Tony Hope’s approach to Agatha Christie is unique and totally engrossing. Over many years I’ve read a few of her novels and enjoyed them, but wouldn’t call myself an enthusiast. However, this book has really fired me up to have a Christiethon in the coming winter months and take a new look at her books. I’ve read them as straightforward murder mysteries, but now realise that Christie’s talents as an author were exceptional.

The narrative is engaging and there are clear spoilers warnings. It’s made me realise that what May, at first glance, seem like a fairly bland and straightforward story is, in fact, complex and multi layered. She makes that skill look so easy, it’s largely overlooked. I’ve really enjoyed this book and learned a great deal. It’s an excellent companion volume to Lucy Worsely’s biography which also gives amazing insight into her books, life and how real life people were included as characters.

Smart and Concise

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for a fair inpartial review

The book is well written and analyzes The Queen of Mysteries quite well.
Delving into intricate plotlines and dispensing subtle red herrings so lightly you fall for the trap of "it was batrly mentioned, IT MUST BE THE CLUE" the co-authors capture what made Dame Christie the best at her craft.

If I must have a complaint, it is the book is too academic. It is "dry" and, while an informative refrence guide, it leaves the risk of just cheaper copies insread of a new trailblazer

Why do Agatha Christie’s novels continue to inspire each generation? The answer is the quality and range of her puzzles: her rich and varied structures of deception.

As a huge Agatha Christie fan, this book gave me a lot to think about and changed the way I read her stories.

I am a huge Agatha Christie fan, and I was delighted to see a book intending to examine how Agatha Christie’s mysteries have stood the test of time.

And I wish I had enjoyed this more. In its favor, it was very readable and moved at a good pace. It was very neatly organized, and divided into sections based on plot, clues, and misdirection, each examining Christie’s skill in utilizing those to her best advantage in her wide range of novels. I did appreciate also how it’s made me realize that a major component of cozy mysteries in general is that the victims are usually unlikable or unknown, so the audience doesn’t really feel a need to experience grief over the death.

But everything in this book is so brief, things get mentioned in one paragraph, one sentence, and then we immediately move on to the next. Nothing was really delved into with the depth I feel Christie deserves and needs. I was also extremely disappointed when the authors mention another author’s work on Christie, a Pierre Bayard, admit they haven’t read it, then attempt to address what they assumed he said.

I think this work would have been a lot stronger if they had picked a smaller number of her novels to pick apart, and spent more time with each one.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Book Guild for this ARC.

Careful, Considerate..
As a Christie aficionado, I was immediately drawn to this volume, and was certainly not disappointed. A detailed, academic deep dive into what makes each Christie mystery so incredibly readable and so deliciously enjoyable- the plots, clues and misdirection galore littered throughout each book and the times that Christie happily broke all the rules of detective fiction. The analysis is carefully and considerately done - thankfully, where there are spoilers, they are clearly and distinctly signposted. The authors love of their subject is evident throughout and makes this a sheer joy to devour.

An insightful interesting well written look at Agatha Christie’s book.The authors two retired doctors dive into her books her plots and themes.Any Christie fan will really enjoy learning more about her methods.#netgalley #agathachristie

A meticulous study of Christie's plots, this carefully researched book is a must for all Christie fans any any lover of crime fiction. In 33 chapters they show how she uses misdirection to hide and then reveal the truth, lead readers astray and build convincing red herrings. Invaluable for crime writers, this is a fantastic addition to Christie studies.
Those who have not read all of Christie's works need not fear - spoilers are clearly signposted at the start of each chapter.

I am a girl obsessed with plot twists. Therefore, this book was like a magic carousel of all the plotting behind the iconic Agatha Christie’s ( and some insight into my favorite Sherlock Holmes) epic twists and clues! The author is very easy to read and clear about her devices, how her writing progresses, evolves, what her goals and influences are and best of all - they discuss the devices of how they creat the magic of
Misdirection and surprise!!!
It is one of my favorite books I have read in the past year!
I will also say that author does all this without really/majorly spoiling the plot! So I could still read al Christi books that I haven’t and joy the mystery!

If you love mystery and puzzle and get a satisfaction from a wonderfully done plot twist - this book is an amazing craft! Of you are thinking of creating a puzzle yourself - this book then is a must!

Why do Agatha Christie’s novels continue to inspire each generation? The answer is the quality and range of her puzzles: her rich and varied structures of deception. This book examines Christie’s skills as a whodunnit writer. It analyses her methods in setting her puzzles. It shows how she uses a combination of diverse plots, cunning clues and subtle misdirections.

In this unique analyses, two medical professionals and Christie fans explore the greatest of Christie’s deceptions: the impression that her writing is simple.

A great fan of the Queen of Crime, I really enjoyed this book, which explains how Agatha Christie reinvented the rules of the whodunnit to deceive us but also to astonish us with her writing. In fact, she never ceases to play with us, making us go round the bush, before finally taking us by surprise with her own unique denouements.

The book is divided into three parts: the plot, the clues and the misdirections. Each chapter in each part details a particular point, with references to Agatha's own works (beware of potential spoilers!) and the writers who inspired our favourite author.

A must-read if you want to know Agatha's writing secrets. It's sure to change the way we read her novels!

This is a wonderful book that throws light on the craft of Agatha Christie and the complex art of writing intriguing and satisfying crime fiction.

Plots, Clues and Misdirections is written by a couple of authors who forensically analysis the methods and approach the Queen of Crime brought to her novels.
In the process there are spoilers, but to my mind these disclosures will be forgotten while the skills of this original creator of detective fiction and crime mysteries will be brought into focus.

Furthermore the fan and follower of murder/crime drama will be delighted to learn how this whole genre has evolved and their modern favourites have been influenced. Indeed it was interesting to see where Christie’s inspiration came from and how this type of fiction has developed, due to her own risk taking and originality.

I thoroughly enjoyed the approach of the writers here, who elevate Christie beyond a few familiar books, TV adaptations and successful films. Agatha’s talent is clear to see in the process and it has enhanced my enjoyment of her writing which I have read for the past 50 years.

There are many books that seem to piggy back on the success and name of Agatha Christie but this is not such a book by design or intent, in my opinion, as this book is well researched and says something fresh. It educates and entertains and reading it, is like spending time with fellow fans of a favourite author.

I will return to any new crime book with a more discerning eye, vastly renewed pleasure and a deeper appreciation of Christie next time I re-read a Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple murder mystery.

Another interesting and insightful book about Agatha Christie and her writing methods. For fans of her books, this non-fiction book is a joy! Highly recommended, I can't wait to get it in printed version to be part of my AC collection.

I love Agatha Christie and this book is right up my street. I haven't read it all as there are chapters which contain spoilers for books I haven't yet read. But what I have read so far was interesting and well written. I've ordered a physical copy to make it easier to skip the bits I'm trying to avoid!