Book Review
The Crimes that Inspired Agatha Christie: The Facts Behind the Fiction
Jonathan Oates
Anna-Lena Berg
Book Description:
Did you know that many of Agatha Christie’s best-selling detective stories have their basis in reality?
‘Who killed Charles Bravo and why?’ asks retired Superintendent Spence in
Elephants Can Remember. He refers to an unsolved Victorian murder mystery, one
of many allusions to real life crime and criminals in Agatha Christie’s
fiction. The infamous Dr Crippen, Jack the Ripper, John George Haigh, and many
other real killers, fraudsters and spies, figure prominently in her plots, both
explicitly and implicitly.
Many of these cases belong to British criminal history, others originate from
the USA and France. They cover a time frame from the eighteenth century to the
1960s, showing that Agatha Christie was not only an inspired writer of fiction
but had a knowledge of true crime as well. There are even instances where she
seems to have anticipated real life crimes, as in the case of the infamous
poisoner Graham Young.
This book explains the reality of these criminals and their crimes - some of
which are well known, others largely forgotten - and how they are utilised in
Agatha Christie’s stories.
Armed with this book, fans of the author’s work will be able to gain new
insights when reading her books either for the first time or on a repeat
reading.
Order now on Amazon
My 5-Star Review:
The Crimes That Inspired Agatha Christie by Jonathan Oates and Anna-Lena Berg is an irresistible journey into the darker corners of real-life mysteries that fueled Christie’s imagination. The authors skillfully uncover the true crimes—poisonings, swindles, disappearances, and betrayals—that found new life in her classic tales, offering fresh perspective without ever spoiling her plots.
Richly illustrated and meticulously researched, the book captures both Christie’s fascination with human nature and her gift for turning reality into masterful fiction. Even for readers well-versed in true crime, there are intriguing new discoveries and connections to savor. A captivating and respectful tribute to the Queen of Crime—perfect for any admirer who wants to glimpse the real cases behind her legendary stories.
About the Authors:
Dr Jonathan Oates is the Ealing Borough Archivist and Local History Librarian, and he has written and lectured on the Jacobite rebellions and on aspects of the history of London, including its criminal past. He is also well known as an expert on family history and has written several introductory books on the subject including Tracing Your London Ancestors, Tracing Your Ancestors From 1066 to 1837 and Tracing Villains and Their Victims.
Dr Anna-Lena Berg is a Swedish writer focusing on historical true crime. Her background as a veterinary surgeon and specialist in pathology is of value also for her literary projects. Anna-Lena is the author of "Blood on the Ocean: the forgotten true story of the Veronica mutiny", an account of a violent mutiny aboard a British sailing ship in 1902. She has a lifelong love for Agatha Christie’s novels.
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