Agatha Christie was the author of over 100 plays, short story collections and novels which have been translated into 103 languages; she is outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. Many have tried to copy her but none has succeeded . Attempts to capture her personality on paper, to discover her motivations or the reasons for her popularity, have usually failed. Charles Osborne, a lifelong student of Agatha Christie and author of novelisations of three of her plays, approaches this most private of people above all through her books, and the result is a fascinating companion to her life and works.

This 'professional life' of Agatha Christie provides authoritative information on each book's provenance, on the work itself and on its contemporary critical reception set against the background of the major events on the author's life. Illustrated with many rare photographs, this comprehensive guide to the world of Agatha Christie has been fully updated to include details of all the publications, films and TV adaptations in the 25 years since her death.

'A delightful bedside companion'

THE TABLET

'Charles Osborne deserves a medal - his own writing slips down a treat, and I was surprised to find this book a pleasure'

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH