... just went out of copyright!
That's right. The Queen of Crime Agatha Christie's works can now be accessed online for free by anyone willing to become an amateur detective, or else an amateur criminal!
Author of 70+ mystery books, Agatha Christie can be said to be the most popular writer of detective fiction of all time. No author has penned such intricate plots and unbelievable solutions. Reading an Agatha Christie is one brain-twisting activity, never a dull moment for a second!
Christie's amazing run of crime began with The Mysterious Affair at Styles, a confusing tale of the murder of the elderly mistress of Styles Court, an estate in England. The prime suspects are her stepsons, who depend upon her for their livelihood; and her husband of only a few months, who is accused of having married her for her money. As Emily Inglethorp has been poisoned in bed, it becomes extremely difficult to pinpoint the culprit.
The Bantam Books edition of the novel describes the suspects with these words:
" Her eldest son, JOHN CAVENDISH, who had the most to gain.
Her husband, ALFRED INGLETHORP, who had the best alibi.
John's wife, MARY, involved with DR. BAUERSTEIN, the first to call it murder.
LAWRENCE CAVENDISH, the victim's younger son, who broke the murder cup.
EVELYN HOWARD, who didn't show up until after the murder.
CYNTHIA MURDOCH, protegee of the murdered woman, the only suspect with access to poison."
Any one of them could have committed the deed. Enter Hercule Poirot, the eccentric Belgian detective with extraordinary powers of not just Holmesian observation but also imagination. The murderer won't be at large for long!
The best thing about any Agatha Christie is it's short length of around 200 pages, and its inclusion of all elements that can make a story interesting, be it action, romance, psychology, morality, or just plain gruesome criminal fun.
Other gems by the same author include: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, Taken at the Flood and many more. All classics in their own right.
Or pay a visit to the IBA Library if you're a fan of traditional paper.
Sources of Images:
http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/s/sa/sateda/1177936_knife_in_hand.jpg
http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/0333989066.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
yeah,Agatha's novels are short and although I am a fan of Sherlock Holmes too but sometimes Holmes' stories simply drag on and lose the reader!
ReplyDeleteAgatha Christies are a tad more complicated than the Sherlock Holmes mysteries. And they are not so one-dimensional either. Even though Sherlock Holmes are great, but... and I know I'm gonna incur the wrath of all literary fanatics out there by saying this... I would prefer an Agatha Christie any day! :-)
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