Book Review for The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont

 The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont 

Hardcover, 320 pages

Publication: February 1st 2022 by St. Martin's Press

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Crime

 

From Goodreads:  A stunning new novel that reimagines the unexplained 11-day disappearance of Agatha Christie that captivated the world.

"A long time ago, in another country, I nearly killed a woman. It's a particular feeling, the urge to murder. First comes rage, larger than any you've ever imagined. It takes over your body so completely, it's like a divine force, grabbing hold of your will, your limbs, your psyche. It conveys a strength you never knew you possessed. Your hands, harmless until now, rise up to squeeze another person's life away. There's a joy to it. In retrospect, it's frightening, but I daresay in the moment it feels sweet. The way justice feels sweet."

So begins The Christie Affair, told from the point of view of Miss Nan O'Dea, a fictional character but based on someone real. In 1925, she infiltrated the wealthy, rarified world of author Agatha Christie and her husband, Archie. A world of London townhomes, country houses, shooting parties, and tennis matches. Nan O'Dea became Archie's mistress, luring him away from his devoted wife. In every way, she became a part of their world--first, both Christies. Then, just Archie.

The question is, why?

And what did it have to do with the mysterious eleven days that Agatha Christie went missing?

The answer takes you back time, to Ireland, to a young girl in love, to a time before The Great War. To a star-crossed couple who were destined to be together--until war and pandemic and shameful secrets tore them apart.

What makes a woman desperate enough to destroy another woman's marriage?
What makes someone vengeful enough to hatch a plot years in the making?
What drives someone to murder?

These questions and more are explored in Nina de Gramont's brilliant, unforgettable, lush, and powerful novel.

My Thoughts:  Agatha Christie has a story to tell, well actually Nan O’Dea has a story to tell. Nan O’Dea has caught the attention of Agatha’s husband and plans to marry him. As with any story it is not quite that simple of a story.

Nina de Gramont, the author, did an amazing job with the twists and turns, the truths and the lies, the victories, and the losses in the life of Nan O’Dea. She has her reasons for needing to be part of Archie Christies life. Her need to be in his life is so real and so heartbreaking. I knew throughout the entire story that there was more to Nan’s story than was being told.

The Christie Affair is a wonderful mystery telling the story of a well-known mystery author. I enjoyed learning more about her life. A cheating husband in 1920’s is very much like a cheating husband in the 2020’s, yet the mistress and the wife have very unique stories to tell in this book, during this time.

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Meet Nina de Gramont: (Taken from her website)Nina de Gramont (also known as Marina Gessner) lives in coastal North Carolina with her husband, the writer David Gessner. She teaches at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and is almost always in the company of her two dogs, Missy and Isabelle. She’s the author of the acclaimed Meet Me at the River, Every Little Thing in the World, Gossip of the Starlings, The Last September, as well as The Distance from Me to You, which has recently been optioned for a movie.