Finbarr survived the fighting but came down with the terrible Spanish Flu, and - for various reasons - this was dreadful for Nan. Nan uses this history to justify breaking up the Christies' marriage.

Agatha tries to convince Chilton not to arrest Nan and instead accept that justice was served. Chilton, Agatha, Nan and Finbarr spend a few more happy days at the manor house. Finally, various reports of sightings of Agatha in the area result in Archie showing up at the Bellefort Hotel. He's relieved to find her, and Agatha claims she does not remember what happened. Chilton knowingly reports the false conclusion that Mrs. Marston must've poisoned her husband and then poisoned herself, thus letting Nan off the hook. Thank you to Nina de Gramont, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for a copy of this story that will publish on February 1, 2022

Detailed Plot Summary

She writes to Finbarr and tells him that she’s going to meet Archie and marry him so she can be with their daughter. Agatha Christie was a well known author writing sixty-six novels as well as fourteen short stories. Her name was known far and wide so when quite mysteriously Agatha went missing for eleven days, everyone was in an uproar. Certainly this disappearance was the stuff of Mrs Christie's novels. One thousand policemen joined in the search as well as civilians and the famous Arthur Conan Doyle and Dorothy L. Sayers. Mr. and Mrs Marston: (aka Father Joseph and Sister Mary Clare ) – worked at the convent where Nan had her baby. Left the clergy and married and went on their honeymoon at the Bellefort Hotel. But there is a payoff: About 60% into the book, I gave up on logic and went with it, no matter where. There actually was a mystery that deepened, as did the drama. The "Timeless Manor" was aptly named and represented the unlikely (trust me) things that followed. The last fifth of the book brought this up to three stars because it at least provided closure, if an odd one. The author weaves a clever, highly original, mesmerizing tale filled with strange and unexpected turns and concludes it in an unexpected but wholly satisfying manner. With its superb writing, strong characterizations, and wonderfully imaginative plot, this is a must-read." - Booklist (starred review)

This kind of omniscient narration where the narrator speaks directly to the reader is very Bronte sisters ( Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre). It’s also a technique used in some modern books, like The Book Thief. This story is told through the first-person POV of Nan O'Dea and casts an unflattering light on Agatha Christie as the reader begins to sympathize with Nan's in-depth personal history. This divisively written story makes it easy for this to happen. I know because I had this reaction as I listened to the audiobook. The greatest mystery wasn't Agatha Christie's disappearance in those eleven infamous days, it's what she discovered.P.S. There’s a drunk history episode about her disappearance if you aren’t familiar with the story.)

The author weaves a clever, highly original, mesmerizing tale filled with strange and unexpected turns and concludes it in an unexpected but wholly satisfying manner. With its superb writing, strong characterizations, and wonderfully imaginative plot, this is a must-read." — Booklist (Starred Review) In some ways the plot mimics a REAL Agatha Christie story, with plenty of surprises and twists, and an unexpected murderer revealed at the climax. British writer Juliette Towhidi is writing the adaptation. It’s also a positive sign that there is a writer attached. Need another excuse to treat yourself to a new book this week? We've got you covered with the buzziest new releases of the day.

Book Excerpt

A dazzling collection of short stories from the two-time winner of the Booker Prize and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Wolf Hall trilogy.