Agatha Christie is the 'Queen of Crime'. As the best-selling novelist of all time, her stories have been loved by countless readers who have immersed themselves in her vivid characters, plausible plots and exciting locations.

But as a quiet and retiring person who shunned publicity and rarely gave interviews, discovering the real Agatha is a challenge almost worthy of her own detectives. However, vital clues to unravel the mystery of the author, including her own brief disappearance, are to be found in her writings, and in particular in the novels which she penned under a pseudonym.

This guide examines the enduring appeal of Agatha Christie's work through the author's life. From her early years to her interest in the Middle East in later life, this biography steps inside Christie's life to explore the mystery of the author. In 1926, Christie disappeared for 11 days, a nationwide scandal fascinatingly detailed by Andrew Norman in this guide.

A true Pitkin guide ? for her fans of her works and for visitors to her home too. Includes a list of sites and locations to visit connected with Christie and her works.