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Agatha Christie. Born in Torquay, Devon, England, on September 15, 1890. Devon. Born Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller To parents Clarissa Margaret Boehmer and Frederick Alvah Miller. “The popular idea that a child forgets easily is not an accurate one. Many people go right through
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Born in Torquay, Devon, England, on September 15, 1890 Devon
Born Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller To parents Clarissa Margaret Boehmer and Frederick Alvah Miller “The popular idea that a child forgets easily is not an accurate one. Many people go right through life in the grip of an idea which has been impressed on them in very tender years.”
During WWI, she worked as a nurse and later at a hospital pharmacy. This influenced her writing, because many of the murders in her books are done with “...one of the most rewarding professions that anyone can follow...” poison .
She married Archibald Christie on Christmas Eve 1914. They had one daughter, Rosalind Hicks. They divorced in 1928.
In 1930, Agatha Christie married archaeologist Max Mallowan. “An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets the more interested he is in her.”
Miss Marple “It is true, of course, that I have lived what is called a very uneventful life, but I have had a lot of experiences in solving different little problems that have arisen.” “The worst is so often true.” Miss Marple is an elderly lady living in the village of St. Mary Mead. She appears in 12 novels and 20 short stories. She solves crimes by relating them to life in the village. “You can only really get under anybody’s skin if you are married to them.”
Miss Marple in the Movies Julia McKenzie Margaret Rutherford Joan Hickson Angela Lansbury Geraldine McEwan
Hercule Poirot “Understand this, I mean to arrive at the truth. The truth, however ugly in itself, is always curious and beautiful to seekers after it.” “Mon cher, practically speaking, I know everything!” Hercule Poirot is a Belgian detective. He appeared in 33 novels and 54 short stories. He is the only fictional character in history to be honored with an obituary in the New York Times. “The impossible could not have happened, therefore the impossible must be possible in spite of appearances.” “Every murderer is probably somebody’s old friend.”
Tommy and Tuppence Tommy and Tuppence first appeared in Christie’s 2nd novel, set in the 1920s. They also were in the last book she ever wrote, although not the last one published. Unlike Miss Marple and Poirot, Tommy and Tuppence aged in time with the real world. In The Secret Adversary, they were in their twenties and by Postern of Fate, they are in their seventies.
They have appeared in 4 novels... (1968) (1973) (1922) (1941) ...and one collection of short stories that parodied other famous fictional detectives of the time, including Poirot. (1929)
Ariadne Oliver “Life should imitate fiction wherever possible!” Ariadne Oliver is a detective novelist. She is a friend of Poirot and assists him in solving his cases. She was Agatha Christie’s supposed fictional alter ego. She expresses a dislike for her detective character, just like Agatha Christie began to dislike Poirot.
Parker Pyne "I have had a long experience in the compilation of statistics. From that experience I can assure you that in 87% of cases dishonesty does not pay." “Are you happy? If not, consult Mr. Parker Pyne, 17 Richmond Street.” (1939) (1991) (1934)
What novel was this island the inspiration for? And Then There Were None
And Then There Were None has sold more than 100 million copies making it the best-selling mystery of all time and the 5th best-selling book of all time
Who was Mary Westmacott? “Shortly after that, I wrote the one book [Absent in the Spring] that has satisfied me completely. I didn’t want to change a word...”
Agatha Christie died on January 12, 1976 Along with William Shakespeare, she is the best-selling author of all time
Some of her most popular plays, including The Mousetrap, are still performed. Her grandson inherited the rights to some of her literary work.
In 1971, she was named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire She is the most translated author 4 billion copies of her novels have been sold Her play The Mousetrap has the longest initial run ever, with 24,000 performances