Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie

Best known for biographies of Howard Hughes, Rupert Murdoch, Ted Turner and J. Edgar Hoover, Hack this time investigates the grand dame of the mystery novel, Agatha Christie. Hack smartly opens with the prolific U.K. author's biggest mystery: an eleven-day disappearing act she pulled in 1926, following the final breakdown of her marriage. From there, Hack meticulously recounts her personal and professional life, exploring Christie's youth in seaside Devon, her beginnings as a writer, and her global escapades with second husband Max Mallowan. Hack is thorough with the facts, but also humanizes his subject with personal details like Christie's strained relationship with her daughter, well-rooted in letters and other primary sources (including Christie's autobiography). Though occasionally overwritten, Hack's work should entrance Christie fans, as well as anyone who enjoys lively literary biography. Color photos.