I Saw Him Die

Agatha Christie #4

by Andrew Wilson

Who saw him die?
I, said the fly,
with my little eye.
I saw him die.

An astonishingly beautiful setting on the island of Skye.

A gathering of fascinating guests at a hunting lodge set to enjoy abundant hospitality. And a double murder.

A household in chaos . . . No one is allowed to leave.

A tantalising new case for Agatha Christie to solve.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Crime, Historical Mystery, Adult, Agatha Christie

400 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 2020

About the author

About himself:

"I'm a journalist and author. My work has appeared in the Guardian, the Washington Post, the Daily Telegraph, the Observer, the Sunday Times, the Independent on Sunday, the Daily Mail, the New Statesman and the Evening Standard magazine."

Source: http://www.andrewwilsonauthor.co.uk/d...

Reviews

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm convinced Andrew Wilson's books are some of the most overlooked I've ever read, and it sucks that I don't feel like they get the recognition they deserve. For anyone who hasn't heard about them, they use Agatha Christie as the main detective as she travels around the world solving different locked room mysteries. Knowledge about Christie or her books isn't necessary, and I don't think you need to read the books in order. The first book in the series has a similar premise to the The Mystery of Mrs. Christie , of the short period of time Agatha Christie actually went missing. You could start there, but if you're looking for more of the locked room and traditional whodunit aspect, I would start with A Different Kind of Evil.

I didn't end up enjoying this book as much as the rest of the series, but for strange reasons. The setting, the characters, and pacing itself were all pretty good, but it just had too much of a familiarity with other books in the series. The plotting itself was similar to A Different Kind of Evil, and when I realized that they were shaping out in a similar way it was pretty easy to spot out where the story was moving. If I had gone into this not having read any of the earlier books, I think I would've enjoyed it more for predictability's sake.

There was a lot going on in I Saw Him Die, but it never became too overwhelming. For a book that is so fast paced, I really like reading about these older settings. Would definitely recommend this to someone who hasn't heard of Wilson's books before, but compared to the other ones this novel fell a little bit flat for me.

[eyes.2c · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who saw him die? / I said the fly!

Agatha Christie is meant to be on a repairing lease, on a holiday on Skye with her daughter, Rosalind and her sister, Mary. A time of rest before her marriage to Max Mallowan, the archeologist she'd met in earlier in the year in Ur, in southern Iraq. Max is fourteen years younger than Agatha. Something she worries about, and wonders at.
She no sooner arrives than she has a message from her Secret Intelligence Service contact John Davison requesting help. “One of [their] former agents, Robin Kinmuir, who [lived] on Skye, believed he was in danger. He’d received a series of threatening letters."
Against her better judgement Agatha agrees to assist Davison, leaving her daughter and sister with the arranged subterfuge of having to go to London unexpectedly to see her literary agent.
When Agatha and Davison journey to Kinmuir's property they find a lodge full of guests, murder and a chain of happenstance that begs belief. Add in an attempt on Agatha's life and the story takes on an alarming note, at least for Agatha.
Wilson has cleverly incorporated a number of Christie's organizing devices, including the Nursery Rhyme, a variation on the poison pen letter, the butler is present, and the next of kin motifs, amongst others.
All meld to produce a meaty puzzle, with the added bonus of Agatha questioning her future with the SIS. Her near death experience shocking her into thinking of her relationship with her daughter and her future with Max and questioning her agent role.
Although I enjoyed the mystery, I found myself annoyed with Agatha as she kept being inveigled back into SIS matters. How to resolve this?

An Atria ARC via NetGalley

[Thebooktrail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discover the locations in I Saw Him Die

I really enjoy Andrew's books where he puts Agatha Christie as a lead in crime investigations similar to those she writes about! A genius idea and one that works very well indeed. The style of the writing and the nuances are very Christie-esque. I believe I am reading about the very woman herself and this is how she would have been like.

In this novel, she's due to marry Max and before the wedding, she is invited to go to Orkney to help her policeman friend investigate a crime that has been announced. Not a murder announced as in the real Christie book, but a similar premise. She heads up to the Isle of Skye knowing that someone might get injured or threatened, only to find out that the other members of the gathering have all had letters inviting them to witness something.

The rest of the novel is a locked room kind of mystery as Agatha goes all out to help track the killer. Except they sit in plain sight. Someone admits to an accident but that's just the strange start to this whole affair. The hotel where the novel is set then becomes a court, police station and general public arena for all the dirty washing to be seen. These characters are a funny bunch with more secrets than they care to admit. Add all of these ingredients together and you have a darn good mystery and a denouement that would look good in any Christie novel.

I really think this series needs to get to more people so they can appreciate the joy of such stories with the most famous author of all time at their core. I'd love to see this on TV and I've cast the characters already in my head. It's worked well since book one so if anyone needs suggestions?

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brilliantly plotted

[Bebe (Sarah) Brechner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another win in the absolutely fascinating series Wilson has devised based on the real life of Agatha Christie, the unrivaled queen of mysteries. Taking Christie's life story and how her experiences worked their way into her many stories, Wilson has cleverly developed a scenario in which Christie works tangentially with the secret service. In this new novel, Wilson gives Christie fans a treat by diving into her obsession with nursery rhymes - a motif present in quite a few of her best mysteries. And, as usual in these skillfully imagined stories, readers are given a view into Christie's inner life - her worries, her doubts, and her clever mind - as she works out the mysteries confronting her. In addition, this new story gives us a remote manor house where bodies pile up, another ingenious play with Christie settings.
Anyone who loves Agatha Christie must read this greatly entertaining and immensely clever series! And, actually, the series would be excellent for anyone not familar with Christie because the story, the characters, and the setting are all wonderfully perfect for any mystery fan. Bravo! I can't wait for more!

[Valy ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Who saw him die?
I, said the fly,
With my little eye.
I saw him die"
Agatha Christie is the protagonist of this mystery set in the island of Skye in Scotland. She investigate the murder of Robin kinmuir.
It's a classic whodunnit? In an Agatha Christie way. The writing is exceptional, you can follow the reason and the investigation.

[Manos (hoarding books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first 100 pages while the plot is set, but the rest of the book is such a drag..

Especially the last 100 pages require heavy editing. It's obvious that they exist just to add volume to the book.

[Jamie Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Agatha due to get married soon, she wants a relaxing holiday on the Isle of Skye, but the Secret Intelligence Service have other plans for her. With a former agent receiving death threats, Agatha and John Davison are sent to protect and investigate. But when he’s murdered within hours of them arriving, they find themselves trying to solve the murder and trying to avoid them being murdered.

Another great story from Andrew Wilson on Agatha Christie’s secret agent life, all of course fiction but rooted in some facts which are always at the end of the book. A fiendish plot and an enjoyable read.

[Becky Loader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice country house-invited guests with secret letters-hidden fortune mystery. Using Agatha Christie as a character is interesting.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Not a super great book, but it kept me engaged enough to read some of the others in this series.

[Debra B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific series featuring Agatha Christie, writer and amateur sleuth, and her retired British agent friend, John Davison.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

"I Saw Him Die" is a mystery set in 1913 in Scotland. This is the fourth book in a series, but it worked as a standalone. The murder was set up in a interesting way, but I had already solved the who and how of the mystery shortly after the nephew shot his uncle in the leg. Granted, it was a "ha, wouldn't it be funny if...", but all the real clues pointed to this being true.

I had great trouble accepting the heroine as the Agatha Christie that wrote clever sleuths who didn't get thrown off track by making assumptions. This Agatha Christie was constantly making assumptions, was easily misled, and wasn't very logical. For example, she carries poisons in her suitcase in case she needs to protect herself. Because, yes, poison is so helpful in self-defense when someone's holding a gun or such on you. She was inexplicably worried that someone would realize she (a mystery writer) was trying to solve the mystery. She was also constantly lying, and no one called her on it even when she contradicted her previous stories. It was very obvious when Agatha's actions were going to lead to someone dying, but she never saw it coming.

The story wasn't very well written, either. People were constantly fleeing the room or storming out or refusing to listen. When Agatha and Davison questioned a suspected murderer until he declared that he would tell them anything they wanted to know, we suddenly jumped to a scene where he's in on the scheme to try to flush out the murderer. It reads like they just stopped questioning him. No explanation was given as to why he's no longer a suspect, and it wasn't because his information (which we later learn he gave to them) was key to solving whodunit. Their traps for the murderer mainly consisted of vague hopes that whodunit would do something wrong.

In the end, rather than just telling the detective what they uncovered, Agatha had a big reveal scene where she gave a very lengthy recounting of every false lead and confusing turn. When revealing whodunit, she gave no evidence for murder, just supposition. Agatha made no effort to avoid being whodunits last target and even distracted the good guys from shooting whodunit when it would have saved another person's life. Also, too much of the murder scheme required everything to happen just so, and the motive wasn't a compelling reason for murder. Basically, I found it very unbelievable. There were no sex scenes. There was some bad language.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Eva Müller · Rating 1 out of 5]

A mediocre mystery, filled with flat clichéd characters, especially the female ones. (Hehe silly women writing romance! Stupid actress who's always over-dramatic! Idiotic woman with left-wing political opinions!). Even Agatha Christie feels like a failed attempt at a Strong Female Character(TM), who mopes a lot and occasionally spends a whole chapter recalling her past. Like the past of actual Agatha Christie, as opposed to the past of this fictional version. Sure, there are a couple of references to events from past books, but there's much more space dedicated to biographical information on the actual Agatha Christie, which we need, because ... because ... the author really misses writing biographies?

[Judy Odom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tell me the name Agatha Christie and I am there !!

I Saw Him Die is the 4th in the series (can be read in any order) by Andrew Wilson that stars Agatha Christie.

Andrew Wilson does an exceptional job portraying not only Agatha but the all the other characters.

In I Saw Him Die there is a list of suspects that could have and everyone seems to have a motive to kill the hotel owner former British agent.

I do love a closed room mystery and I Saw Him Die is a perfect example.

Agatha Christie would be proud to read and be a part of I Saw Him Die.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books, Washington Sqaure Press, for allowing me to spend some time with my favourite lady Agatha Christie .

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, clever and enjoyable read.

[Rebecca Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cleverly written and gripping detective book!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using real people as detectives can be problematic. How can readers ever be sure that these words, these thoughts, these actions are those of the real person? And when violence is involved, when the fictional “real” person is expected to bring justice for a crime, how true can what we’re reading be then? All this is valid questioning. Luckily, Andrew Wilson’s rendering of Agatha Christie as detective in I Saw Him Die is realistic, and one can postulate that the real Mrs. Christie would recognize herself quite well.

A mysterious death in the Scottish Highlands is our setting for this third book in the series. A retired British agent turned hotelier has been receiving threatening letters; well, he’s got target painted on him, doesn’t he? John Davison, Mrs. Christie’s friend, asks her to help him investigate. And even though it’s right before her wedding, she agrees and travels to the hotel to help out. Unfortunately, before long… guess who’s dead, albeit shot accidentally by his nephew. It’s witnessed by several, including Davison. Seems like a terrible accident, but there are those letters… so Agatha and Davison can’t leave yet. So put the kettle on and let’s delve into I Saw Him Die.

The Dallach Lodge is host to a crowd of characters, all who just might be the murderer; tailor-made for an Agatha Christie book. Inspector Hawkins comes along to bluster and cause trouble, of course – the “stupid policeman” trope. The nephew is inconsolable; the man’s mistress says it’s murder; but she’s an actress so she’s expected to be over the top. Speaking of acting – who’s practicing to deceive, here? Each character is defined and deftly rendered, and there’s a bunch of ‘em.

In keeping with the historical times, you get the idea of some “British reserve” and class lines being kept to here. References are also made to Mrs. Christie’s life, little snippets that will make you want to know more if you don’t already, as hers was a well-known life, including the famous eleven-day disappearance in 1926.

And then the real cause of death turns up – and we’re off to the races with the suspects, including Mrs. Christie, who is eminently knowledgeable about the subject. Come to find out our dearly departed was not a very nice person, and someone, who has basically been summoned to the Lodge, has taken revenge. Inspector Hawkins arrests one of the guests who can’t possibly be the murderer; but then, I’ve been wrong before.

We’re looking at a clever little word puzzle, and too many clues, says our fictional Mrs. Christie. Heavily plotted, says the reader. That’s okay, keep paying attention and you’ll get it.

Finally, we have the gathering in the drawing room and unfortunately the “oh woe is me, I’m no good at this” chapter. It’s rather tedious and unnecessary, because Mrs. Christie is really good at this. If one is to accept Mrs. Christie as an amateur detective and showcase her talents, then the author should just let her get on with it, already. The finish is quite exciting, a little over the top, perhaps, but a satisfying ending.

There’s an afterward, “The Facts” with more historical information, including confirmation of a quite, ahem, interesting historical fact that Mrs. Christie relates in the text. Don’t read it until you’ve read the book!

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for a copy of this book, in exchange for this review.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars

I Saw Him Die is the fourth book written by Andrew Wilson, featuring Agatha Christie as an undercover sleuth. This series is not endorsed by Agatha Christie Ltd.

The year is 1930, and Agatha Christie gets approached by her SIS friend John Davison, who implores her to accompany him to Dallach Loch on the Isle of Skye, the home of former SIS agent, Robin Kinmuir, who has been receiving threatening letters warning him that his life is in danger. Agatha is at first reluctant to embark on such a venture as in a matter of weeks she is due to be married. However, despite her initial misgivings, she agrees, and posing as cousins, the pair arrive at Dallach Loch.

Upon their arrival they are met by a multitude of other guests from all walks of life, including an actress, a botanist, an artist, and two elderly sisters who write romance novels, among others.

When Robin Kinmuir is found shot during a hunting accident, Agatha and Davison’s fears are confirmed.
It’s not long before a second body is found and Agatha begins to form a connection between the murders and the unnerving nursery rhyme: Who Killed Cock Robin?

Who Killed Cock Robin?
I, said the sparrow,
with my bow and arrow,
I killed Cock Robin.

Who saw him die?
I, said the fly,
with my little eye,
I saw him die.

It soon becomes clear that all of the guests had a motive for wanting Robin Kinmuir dead.
Agatha must unroot the evil that lurks in this baronial estate by unmasking the cold-blooded killer who is playing a very dangerous game...

I absolutely loved this book! It was such a fun read.
I’ve read and enjoyed all of Andrew Wilson’s previous novels staring Agatha Christie but this is the best one yet. As always, Wilson really evokes the time and setting and the book is well-researched. The plot was well-crafted and I loved the use of the nursery rhyme in this story and how it played a pivotal role, as that was a device Christie herself used in her novels on many occasions(One,Two,Buckle My Shoe, Hickory Dickory, Dock, And Then There Were None, to name but a few). Astute readers will also notice the references to Agatha Christie’s books themselves sprinkled throughout.

I would highly recommend this book, it’ll certainly keep you guessing, and it’s sure to satisfy Agatha Christie superfans like myself. I cannot wait for the next instalment in this wonderful series, but alas, I have a year to wait!

-These books do not have to be read in order, but I would definitely recommend picking up the previous three if you enjoyed this one!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read everything Agatha Christie has written and she's one of my favorite authors and I love the cozy mystery genre. This book has Agatha as one of the main characters. She's about to marry her second husband Max Mallowan and she has planned to spend the weeks before her wedding in Scotland relaxing with her daughter and a few friends. This all changes when shes asked to go with John Davison, a friend of hers in the Foreign Office to prevent a former agent from being killed after he recieved threatening letters. The two arrive at Dallach Lodge, an isolated manor house turned into a hotel on the Isle of Skye.

The first evening and meeting all the other guests goes without incident. The next morning, not so much. Gunshots are heard and tragedy has struck. The man Agatha and Davison were sent to protect has been murdered, apparently shot by his nephew and heir. As anyone that has read Agatha Christie books knows, it's not always the most likely suspect that ends up being the killer, at the same time, sometimes it really is the most likely suspect. Agatha keeps you guessing and lays red herrings in with the clues. This book admirably pays homage to that strategy with a number of twists and lays a trail of some smelly red herrings before the murderer is finally revealed. Another fun aspect of this book is all the references to plots that the real Agatha Christie used in several books. This book is fourth in a series, I'll have to go back and read them, but this book is also fine as a stand alone.

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

I Saw Him Die is the 4th book in the Agatha Christie mysteries by Andrew Wilson. Released 22nd July 2020 by Simon & Schuster on their Atria - Washington Square Press imprint, it's 400 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a beautifully written, entertaining, and engaging mystery - very well plotted and paced. The characters are distinct and follow internal motivations. The dialogue is well done, both subtle and flowing. In checking my notes for this review I couldn't find any negative or comments or notes. I wasn't yanked out of my suspension of disbelief once.

There have been a large crop of "real historical person as amateur sleuth" series and these books (which all work well as standalones) fit right into the group. Die-hard canonical pure Christie fans will probably avoid these titles, but for anyone who has enjoyed the modern day Dickens, Austen, Holmes, Edna Ferber (et. al.) mysteries, this is a top shelf example of the genre.

Four stars. Worth a read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Saw Him Die by Andrew Wilson is an old-fashioned British novel, reminiscent of Agatha Christie. The protagonist is Mrs. Christie, herself, several weeks before her marriage to Max Mallowan. Christie has gone to the Isle of Skye with her daughter and several others for a vacation before her wedding. While there is she contacted by the SIS (Secret Intelligence Service) and her old friend, John Davies to assist in investigating threats against a former agent here on Skye, Robin Kinmuir. It quickly becomes pretty much a locked room mystery with Kinmuir's death. So much for protecting him. Of course, as is tradition, nearly everyone has a motive. The investigation begins, full of left turns and red herrings, Christie and Davies eventually root out the killer, in a most dramatic fashion.

I wanted to love this book but really had problems with it. I can't put my finger on the problem, suffice it to say, I slogged to the ending. Wilson wrote his characters very well. I could easily picture each of them and I had not problem relating to Christie's doubts about her upcoming marriage. The plot was a good one, although it was resolved in quite a dramatic fashion, possibly overly so. The investigation was typical of a Christie novel. I may have been me, possibly other readers will fall in love with it, as they should I recommend it with reservations.

I was invited to read a free ARC of I Saw Him Die by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #isawhimdie

[B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An acquaintance of mine sent me this ARC. I'm not sure how they got their hands on it, but I was more than happy to receive it. When I started reading it, I had no idea that it was book four in a series. Like reading Agatha Christie's books, this series does not need to be read in order, nor does a lack of knowledge of previous mysteries prevent enjoyment of the book. That being said, I enjoyed this one so much, I'm going to be ordering the first three in the series. When I first started the book and came to understand the premise was Agatha Christie as a main character I was confused as to why I was sent an Agatha Christie fan fiction, but it's not that at all. Rather, it's a mystery, like Christie's own works, where Christie serves as a Miss Marple-esque character...who also happens to be secret intelligence. It sounds a bit cheesy when it's written out like that, but the truth of the matter was it was simply lovely. The writing has a quiet and understated elegance that's missing from most modern literature. The characters are clearly defined, and the attention to detail is quite spectacular. If you read carefully, you'll find nods to the Christie books themselves throughout the text. All in all, it's a superlative effort, and I look forward to purchasing all of Wilson's other works within the coming weeks. It's rare for an author to take me by such surprise in a positive way, and I look forward to reading more.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been a huge fan of Agatha Christie’s work since high school so the description of this book lured me in quickly. I was interested to see how this book would work with her as the detective.

Agatha is about to marry Max Mallowan and makes a side trip to help her friend Davison, of the British secret service, investigate some threatening letters sent to a fellow agent who lives in the Scottish Highlands. Of course, murder follows quickly and there is a manor house full of suspects which I felt at first was leading us to a Murder on the Orient Express plot line. But alas, keep reading!

Two things detracted from my enjoyment of the book. 1. Agatha is portrayed as sort of woolly headed and unsure of things when we know for certain this is not the case at all. Something in her personality in this book was off. 2. Many scenes were a bit too melodramatic for my taste. This could be my fault as I found myself comparing to Agatha’s writing the whole time. Some of the references seem very wrong for this book as well, you know- the kind of thing you would never have read in one of Agathas books (invisible ink!!!- you’ll see, not saying anymore).

But overall, it was a good whodunit and although I wondered about the murderer, I had no idea about the motive until the end (again, too much drama in the final scene). So overall let’s go with a 3.5. I would read another book in the series as I just realized that there are more. Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book as part of a Goodreads give away.

Initially I didn't know what to expect with this book. If I came across it in a store, I don't think it would have necessarily been something I chose to buy, though the title of it was a good draw. After the first few pages, I didn't think the book would be something I'd enjoy. However, once I got into it, it was a good whodunnit. I read this book over a week while on a beach vacation, and it was definitely a good beach read. The plot kept me interested and there were several plot twists that kept me wanting to read another chapter. I was glad when they revealed the true killer(s) towards the very end of the novel - that made it more interesting. I hadn't initially realized that the book was part of a series about a particular character, but that in no way impacted my understanding of this story, though it did give me some occasional confusion. The only thing that I didn't like were the mentions of the characters. Almost every time they named any of the characters, they provided their first and last name - I felt this was unnecessary. It helped in the beginning, because there were a lot of characters, but it got annoying towards the end when people were still referred to by their first and last names. Overall, I'm glad I won this book. I don't usually read books set in the past, so this was a nice change for me.

[Cathy Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having never read any of the previous books in the series, I have to be honest. The major reason why I chose to read I Saw Him Die was its setting on the Isle of Skye, someplace I'm quite familiar with. Of course, Agatha Christie was the secondary reason. I had to see how author Andrew Wilson treated this icon of crime fiction.

What I found was an excellent read for mystery lovers who prefer a finely crafted plot over characterization. Believe me, the plot is excellent. I have not read extensively in Christie's oeuvre, but I have watched many television adaptations of her work. If a relative novice such as I can recognize several allusions to Christie's books, I Saw Him Die will be a feast for readers who have more familiarity.

I think two of my favorite things about this book were the significance of the title and the afterword in which Wilson explains how the plot fits into the real Agatha Christie's life. Yes, there are a lot of things to like in I Saw Him Die, but it never really engaged my complete interest, and other character-driven readers might have the same reaction. Told in the first person, Agatha's voice never really drew me into the story; therefore, I doubt that I will continue with the series. But remember-- just because this book wasn't a good fit for me doesn't mean it won't be a good fit for you. Love Dame Agatha? Then I think you should definitely read I Saw Him Die.

(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)

[Stephen Bacon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fourth in the series of detective novels by Andrew Wilson featuring a fictionalised version of author Agatha Christie investigating murders and helping with the British Secret Service. This one is set just before Christie's marriage to Max Mallowan and takes place at a secluded manor house on the Isle of Skye, off the coast of Scotland. Host Robin Kinmuir is murdered, and it appears nearly all the guests have a reason for wanting him dead. Christie has to untangle all the clues and red-herrings and bring the killer to justice.

I've enjoyed all these books, but they are fairly workmanlike. It doesn't feel like Wilson has captured much of Christie's real character (I'm basing this on the reading of her autobiography and also various biographies of her) but that doesn't really detract from things. In this novel, in particular, there are a couple of points which feel rather incongruous. For example Christie mentions that British spies might have used their own semen as invisible ink. That this fact features in a book set during the Golden-age of detective fiction (and adopting a similar style) strikes a rather odd note. But the plot itself is fine, and Wilson does a grand job of fleshing out the characters. A decent enough read, but nothing to rave about.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of Agatha Christie this series captured my attention from the first book. Now, with the 4th mystery, Agatha and her friend John Davison travel to the Isle of Skye. There is a lovely estate/hotel called Dallach Lodge and Davison has asked Agatha to help him protect the life of the hotelier. Nothing seems unusual until the next day and the man is found shot to death. Because this is the classic locked room mystery, the list of suspects gives Agatha quite the puzzle to unravel. But, she is, after all, Agatha Christie and she will figure out who the killer is.
Agatha Christie was a fascinating woman, very talented and admired by millions of readers. As a wife and mother, later divorced and re-married, she had many self doubts and these books show the human side of her. I like to think that this series would have pleased her. As an avid mystery reader, this book certainly pleased me. I hope I don't have to wait too long for the next mystery for Agatha and John to solve.
My thanks to the publisher Washington Square Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Tammie Painter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a Goodreads Giveaway Prize, which was exciting in itself!!

I have to say I have a mixed opinion about this book. I nearly put it down after the first five pages because it just seemed clunky and a bit like I was meant to have some prior knowledge of the main characters' relationship. But I pushed through and found myself coming to enjoy the story...which is a murder mystery with Agatha Christie as lead sleuth. The style and situation is very "Christie" in some respects and I think Agatha Christie fans will enjoy this.

Unfortunately, the writing has its flaws. The clues are repeated over and over and over...sometimes within only 10-20 pages you're reminded about the same five or six clues. Almost every time Christie's fiancé Max is mentioned, you're reminded that he's her fiancé, which just gets annoying. And the Christie character goes into long (LONG) moments of self-evaluation that kill the pace.

Still, it was a good read and the mystery was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Agatha Christie will surely enjoy this novel.  There are two reasons for this; first, it is a book written very much in the style of that beloved author; and, two. Agatha Christie is a character in the novel.


This is part of a series by Andrew Wilson.  The books can be read in any order.  In this title, Agatha is in Scotland where a murder occurs amidst a full party of hotel guests.  Who murdered the host?  The suspects are many:  among them, a botanist, a nephew, an actress, two sisters, the servants and more. 


In addition to telling the mystery story, the author includes some information about Agatha Christie who is planning her marriage to her second husband.  There is also information about her days as a VAD and her work in an apothecary. 


This book will provide an enjoyable respite from reality,  It is a new mystery written in a classic style.


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. By the way, I love the cover. It made me want to pick up this title.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agatha Christie is on the eve of her marriage to Max Mallowan, the younger archeologist she met in Iraq, when she is called to the isle of Skye by her friend and colleague Davidson. A former Secret Agent, Robin Kinmuir has been receiving threatening letters. Davidson and Christie will attend a house party he is having and see if they can determine who has been sending threatening letters. But alas, they've hardly arrived at his manor house before their host is murdered.

What transpires next is the perfect locked room mystery in the style made famous by Christie. The guests are forced to remain in the manor house by the local constable, and more murders ensue. The Isle of Skye is itself very remote even today, and certainly more so in the early turn of the century.

this was the 4th in a series by author Andrew Wilson where Mrs. Christie plays detective. It did not hinder me at all to not have read the previous books, but I enjoyed this one and love Agatha Christie's books, so I can see myself going back to start at the beginning of the series.