The Christie Affair by Nina deGramont

 Hi, dear Agatha -

So I'm not sure what kept me away for nearly three years (I'm actually pretty embarrassed), but I know what brought me back.

A few months ago, my distant cousin in Arkansas sent me a book, kind of out of the blue.  We are friends on Facebook, but I can't recall the last time we had a conversation.  But she read this book and then sent it on to me.

I wasn't sure what I thought at first, and it actually took me a little while to get into, but by the end, I did find this fictionalization of your little disappearance really interesting.  It was different for me to see you as, first of all, a character - an attractive woman in a short period confronted with various emotions and such that really changes the course of your life.

It's just fiction, of course.

But I appreciate the book more now that I've stepped away from it awhile - its structure, its originality, its creative ideas.  And I appreciate the book for bringing me back to reading your works again.

Still,

b.

67. Double Sin and Other Stories (1961)

 Dear Agatha,

Before we start, here is an unsolved mystery for you to unravel.  Where on earth have I been for nearly 3 years???

Honestly, I don't know either.

Mystery #2:  What happened to my book?

Looks like she's been through a lot, amirite?  Thankfully I've got another on the way so the collection will still be intact.

This collection was really a good way for me to jump back in to reading your works.  About half of the stories I had read before, but not all.  But lucky for me I have a poor memory so reading them again doesn't mean I was bored a bit.  In fact, I think I enjoyed them more.  These were "Double Sin," "Wasps' Nest," "The Theft of the Royal Ruby" (which has been published elsewhere as "The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding), "Greenshaw's Folly" (which I sure thought had something to do with a gazebo or something, but um, no, not at all).

But new to me:

"The Dressmaker's Doll" and "The Last Seance" - I am not particularly into the supernatural.  Still, occasionally, I don't mind it - with something like a feel for The Twilight Zone.  This was "The Dressmaker's Doll"... but "Seance" - eh.  It was dark and short and I kind of feel like they should have listened to Elise.

"The Double Clue" was fun, but I do think you saved the best for last with "Sanctuary."  The stories featured both Poirot and Marple and a few with neither.  It felt like a nice visit with old friends.

Thank you for pulling me back in, dear Agatha.

b.