Nina de Gramont’s latest novel seemingly retells the infamous disappearance of Agatha Christie in 1926. But it is so much more than that.

This thrilling historical fiction novel shifts the focus from Christie herself, as it is told from the point of view of her husband’s mistress, Nan O’Dea. Nan is the only person who knows the full story of this mysterious author’s disappearance so it makes total sense that she tells this story her way. In reality, Nan O’Dea is much more connected with the Christies than is initially apparent. As the story goes on, this book gets exceedingly more difficult to put down.

The plot is not the only thing that is compelling about The Christie Affair; the writing style is exceptionally eloquent and emulates the language that writers, such as Agatha Christie herself, may have used in the early 20th century. Nina de Gramont’s way with words makes this novel not just text on a page, but an immersive experience altogether, transporting you back to the 1920s.

What makes this book what it is though, is the way the author has interwoven multiple storylines into one. It explores murder, star-crossed love, revenge and friendship. Ultimately, you begin to care deeply about certain characters, whilst simultaneously strongly disliking others, and so much more in between. De Gramont writes about mystery and murder so perfectly and, funnily enough mirrors Agatha’s own novels, in more ways than one.