Agatha Christie at Home

Hilary Macaskill explores the houses that meant most to Agatha Christie, including her childhood home, Ashfield, in Torquay, Winterbrook in Oxfordshire, and Greenway, her favorite home from 1938 to 1976. She also examines more temporary abodes, such as flats and houses in London and hotels in the Middle East.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2023
Publisher: Pimpernel Press Ltd

I am absolutely thrilled to hear that a new edition of this wonderful, inspirational, and essential book for Christie-lovers is coming! Lucy Worsley, the author of "Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman" (Hodder & Stoughton, 2022), has done an incredible job in capturing the essence of Agatha Christie's life and work.

In her autobiography, Agatha Christie expressed her deep attachment to her home, referring to it as her "dear home, my nest, my house." This sentiment reflects the significance of home to her, as she cherished the memories and experiences associated with it throughout her life.

Agatha Christie's love for houses extended beyond her personal life. She vividly described houses, particularly her own, in her books. These descriptions added an extra layer of charm and intrigue to her stories, making them even more captivating for readers.

Hilary Macaskill, in her book "Agatha Christie's Houses: A Secret History," delves into the houses that held a special place in Agatha Christie's heart. She explores her childhood home, Ashfield, in Torquay, where she spent her formative years. Winterbrook in Oxfordshire, where Agatha Christie and her archaeologist husband, Max Mallowan, set up their home, is also examined in detail.

However, the most significant house in Agatha Christie's life was Greenway, her beloved home in Dartmoor. It was here that she spent the majority of her adult life, from 1938 until her passing in 1976. Greenway not only provided her with a peaceful and comfortable retreat but also became a source of inspiration for many of her novels.

Macaskill also takes us on a journey through Agatha Christie's temporary abodes. She explores a succession of flats and houses in London, mainly in Kensington and Chelsea, where she lived during various periods of her life. Additionally, she discusses the homes she set up at the digs in the Middle East, where she accompanied her husband, Max Mallowan, on archaeological expeditions.

Furthermore, Macaskill highlights the importance of hotels in Agatha Christie's life. She mentions the Moorland Hotel on Dartmoor, where Agatha Christie sought refuge in the grip of writer's block to complete her first detective novel, "The Mysterious Affair at Styles." The Burgh Island Hotel, another significant inspiration for "And Then There Were None" and "Evil Under the Sun," played a pivotal role in her writing career.

Through her meticulous research and captivating storytelling, Hilary Macaskill has brought to life the houses that meant so much to Agatha Christie. "Agatha Christie's Houses: A Secret History" is a must-read for anyone who loves Agatha Christie, literature, and the fascinating world of architecture. It provides a deeper understanding of the woman behind the famous detective and offers a glimpse into the places that shaped her life and work.

Weight: 742g
Dimension: 240 x 180 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781914902000