I loved this novel. I thought I’d given feedback some time ago but I hadn’t & happily so as I can honestly report that I’ve thought about this novel quite a bit done I read it. Although it’s a work of fiction it fits well with Christie’s own mysteries but also reads as a standalone “detective” novel/biography.
A definite 5* from me!

Perfect for any Christie fans who know about the time the author just disappeared. No one knows where she went and this book was an incredibly fun read on what the author thinks Christie was upto

As a massive fan of Agatha Christie, I was so excited to pick up this book and find out more about the night the period of time when she went missing and I must say, this book wasn't what I expected at all. The story is narrated by a woman called Nan O'Dea, who turns out to be the mistress of Agatha's husband, Archie. Whilst this perspective initially drew me in, I soon lost interest as I felt like Nan's narration was very unreliable. She guesses at a lot of things rather than stating facts and so there are o lot of plot points mentioned which she wasn't there to witness.

Unfortunately, the book focuses much more Nan, than Agathaand we get a lot of her background which includes her own suffering and hardships. If this was a murder mystery involving Nan, I would have really enjoyed it however I went into it wanting a book about Agatha and that's why I was disappointed with this book.

Overall, I did enjoy this book however I don't think it was marketed well. The plot gets confusing at times and there are some things that were a little too unbelievable for me.

Really enjoyed this book it was such a good read . I will definitely keep an eye out for more books from Nina de Gramont

Retrospective review!

I honestly adored this one. This book ended up being one of my top ten of 2022. The characterisations were magnetic, the mystery was gripping, and the story itself was a brilliantly crafted reimagining of the mysterious eleven day disappearance of Agatha Christie.

The story is told from the view point of Nan O’Dea, the mistress of Agatha Christie’s husband, and how she hatched her plan to steal the husband of a well known author. And more importantly, why.

This was gripping and even though I now read it two years ago and still remember the twists and turns that were flawlessly executed, I’d love to give it a reread.

If you love a whodunit and are familiar with the eleven days disappearance of Agatha Christie in 1925, then The Christie Affair will be right up your street! The book focuses on Nan O'Dea who is loosely based on the mistress and second wife of Agatha Christie, Nancy Neele and of what happens when Agatha discovers the affair and drives off leaving behind her an abandoned car containing her clothes and driving licence. Whilst you can read about the case online, Nina de Gramont focuses on the other woman in her novel and lets her story be told.

This book is so captivating. This book is so clever. It is told from the perspective of Archibald Christie’s mistress. It looks at love and grief. Well written

I love being given the opportunity to update our school library which is a unique space for both senior students and staff to access high quality literature. This is definitely a must-buy. It kept me absolutely gripped from cover to cover and is exactly the kind of read that just flies off the shelves. It has exactly the right combination of credible characters and a compelling plot thatI just could not put down. This is a great read that I couldn't stop thinking about and it made for a hugely satisfying read. I'm definitely going to order a copy and think it will immediately become a popular addition to our fiction shelves. 10/10 would absolutely recommend.

"The Christie Affair" is a fictional account of the real life Agatha Christie's disappearance on Friday 3rd December 1926.

The day after Agatha Christie's husband Archie tells her he is divorcing her and leaving her for his mistress Nan, Christie disappeared without a trace, her car was found abandoned by the side of the road with all her possessions inside.

A nationwide search was launched to find the writer.

The story is narrated by Nan, it is a fictional account of what she feels may have happened and why.

Agatha Christie never explained where she had been over the eleven days she was missing. The greatest mystery writer was hiding the greatest secret!!!

This was a fascinating story that I loved from the first page and did not want to put it down. There are plenty of surprises that keep you guessing throughout.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I knew very little about Agatha Christie before this but this premise was so interesting so I knew I had to read! Historical fiction isn't one of my favourite genres but this book really did that, and with the mystery, it was truly wonderful. The pacing was a little off, with the first half slow and the last two parts on the faster side, but it definitely made for an engaging read.

In “The Christie Affair,” Nina de Gramont weaves a mesmerizing tale of love, betrayal, and dark secrets that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. This psychological thriller is a gripping exploration of the complexities of human relationships, wrapped in a web of lies and intrigue.

The story revolves around Christie O’Carroll, a talented artist married to the charming and enigmatic Martin. However, their seemingly perfect marriage begins to unravel when Christie discovers a shocking secret about her husband. As she delves deeper into the truth, she finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of deception and desire.

De Gramont’s writing is atmospheric and compelling, expertly building tension with each turn of the page. The narrative unfolds through alternating perspectives, allowing readers to delve into the minds of Christie and Martin, witnessing their motivations and unraveling their true selves. The author’s skillful use of suspense keeps the readers guessing, never quite sure who to trust or what lies beneath the surface.

The characters in “The Christie Affair” are multi-dimensional and flawed, adding depth to the story. Christie’s emotional journey is captivating, as she grapples with her own desires, doubts, and the consequences of her choices. Martin, with his complex personality, is a compelling enigma, leaving readers torn between sympathy and suspicion.

De Gramont masterfully explores themes of trust, identity, and the fine line between love and obsession. As the layers of deception peel away, the novel poses thought-provoking questions about the nature of truth and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. The author’s exploration of the human psyche adds a compelling psychological depth to the narrative.

“The Christie Affair” is a page-turner that will keep readers engaged until the very end. De Gramont’s skillful storytelling, combined with her ability to create complex and compelling characters, makes this book a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. Prepare to be captivated by the twists and turns of this dark and gripping tale, where nothing is as it seems, and the truth hides in the shadows.

This is a fictional reimagining of the 10 days that Agatha Christie went missing in 1926. In this novel the fictional Nan O’Dea, is having an affair with Agatha’s husband Archie. Nan is not as she seems though and there are other ties throughout the story. There is ‘an invisible thread around our little finger, which connects us to our one true love, no matter what forces try to keep us apart.’ The connection becomes evident as we relive Nan’s traumatic time as an unwed mother in Ireland. The mystery deepens as a group of characters meet in a hotel in Harrogate and death ensues.

The novel has a strong sense of place and also of the changing mores that allow for women to be more than just wives following World War II and the Flu Pandemic of 1918.

"The Christie Affair" by Nina de Gramont is a fictional novel based on the life of renowned mystery writer Agatha Christie. The book portrays Christie's life in a new light, revealing a darker side of the author that was not previously explored. While the plot is intriguing, the pacing is slow and the characters lack depth. The author's writing style is engaging, but the story is predictable at times. Overall, "The Christie Affair" is a decent read for fans of historical fiction, but it may not be the most gripping or memorable book in the genre.

An interesting idea on the speculation of the disappearance for Agatha Christie for which the chapters with Agatha in were brilliant. I did not care however for so the character of Nan and her involvement/backstory, There was far too greater portion of the book given to this in my opinion.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. It has taken me a long time to get around to it.

It is an account of Mrs Chrisie's disappearance in December 26 with a large degree of leeway in the actual narrative of events. Using a dual timeline (the literary style of the moment) it follows not only Mrs Christie's privileged and protected life but also the almost diametrically opposed life of Miss O'Dea who lives an impoverished early life and continue to a more emotionally problematic life including pregnancy out of marriage forced adoption and appalling treatment by the Irish Catholic community.

It is an interesting treatment of a factual event but fails to really light up my reading life. There are parts which I felt wouldn't happen and other parts that just lacked vitality in the narrative

I don’t know if there has been more publicity recently, but the story of Christie’s missing days has been brought to my attention even before I saw this book on Netgalley, so I was keen to snatch it up. On the face of it, the story seemed intriguing; however the story seemed flat and quite unexciting. I don’t think this is the fault of the author- I recently read a biography of Christie which also tells the story of the missing days- and it was equally dull! So, this wasn’t a bad book, it just failed to deliver any or enough drama despite the author’s best efforts!

I found this book a little bit confusing. I wasn't entirely sure who the narrator was all the time as we jumped from situations with Agatha and Nan.

It also took me a while to get into it, and piece all of the timelines together in the story, The ending was definitely not what I expected.

I am glad that I read this as it has piqued my interest about the real story of Agatha Christie's disappearance.

Compelling writing but I would have enjoyed it a lot more if it had been marketed differently it's not really about Agatha and her disappearance at all.

Well-written and an enjoyable read; but it is definitely fiction, and not what is actually believed to have happened. Nevertheless, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys mysteries, Christie 'who-done-its'. All the characters, whether real or fictional, are well-rounded, and the story is well-told, and keeps one 'turning the page'.

Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and Mantle for an ARC.