I found this book very hard to read considering all I have read are Agathas suspense novels. I was rather dissapointing to see this type of writing style. Her suspense and romantic novels are both very well written out but to see this side of her kind of ruined the whole detective novels. I wouldn't recommend this to readers who like her original style...

Fans of Agatha Christie's mystery novels will not be disappointed in these more standard novels, which she published under the name Mary Westmacott. "Absent in the Spring" is a magnificent novel, the story of a woman unexpectedly stranded in a desert outpost with no distractions, who is forced for the first time to see herself and others objectively. A simple concept, but difficult to write. Christie handles the matter superbly, and in her autobiography, lists this as one of her favorite novels. "Absent in the Spring" is even more interesting when you consider she wrote the book in 3 days during the London Blitz!

Most of the novels Christie wrote as Mary Westmacott are semi-autobiographical, or reveal conflicts or persons present in her own life. Christie fans will want to include this collection of novels for insight into the author's life, thought processes, and internal emotional struggles. The other novels in this collection, especially "Giant's Bread", are also excellent novels, but the collection would be worth reading just for "Absent in the Spring."

A great trio of novels. Giant's Bread is her masterpiece!

This was a very good presentation of these stories. Daniel Massey does his best to assume the persona of the characters of Poirot(with moderatly good beligan accent) and some female characters. The story was well paced and did had a twist to be expected from Agatha Christie. The plot centers on Poirot being commisioned to find a woman for a love smitten local mechanic after Poirot's car breaks down. This was more difficult than Poirot initially figured. Nice part of the Labours of Hercules saga. This will make you want to get the rest of the set. I enjoyed the story and would recommed. Enjoy :)

Beginning with text and photograph headers presented in the old manual typewriter fonts, Francois Riviere successfully transports her readers back to the Devon countryside of Agatha Christie's childhood. Early family pictures are interspersed with gorgeous color photos of the south of England, each one representing an event or memory which provided Christie with the germ of her intricate plots. Ms. Riviere provides a rare treat for devoted fans and casual readers alike: the personal life and environment of an author who guarded her privacy and was able, like her books, to keep us guessing. The Devonshire home of Greenway, not visible from the road but glimpsed by boat from the river Dart, is described in detail with ample color photos, as is the Burgh Hotel, the setting for "Evil Under The Sun" and "Then There Were None". Her relationships with both husbands, her daughter and friends are good reading; they provide the bones. The real meat in this book is the author's ability to invoke a past which we already feel we know so well, make it come alive and provide the visual counterpart. Actually seeing the physical locations which sparked her imagination and translated into complex narratives is an opportunity not to be missed by anyone who has enjoyed being transported to that very special time and place where Christie lived and then created in print for posterity. Ms. Riviere also provides a detailed color map of Devon which includes Agatha's special "haunts" and a list of hotels and road directions in the areas most frequented by her and her characters. It is a singular offering for mystery fans to truly "walk in the author's footsteps": along the beach in Torquay, boating on the River Dart, tramping through the heather atop Dartmoor, staying at the Haytor Hotel where she wrote her first book. The book is a pleasure in itself but also a definite Must Read for anyone familiar with Agatha Christie's work or interested in the formation of a Mystery author.

"Spark Notes And Then There Were None" is great in conjunction with the novel "And Then There Were None." Although you don't get the full sense of the story, it helps with the symbolism and small details you might have missed. As always, you should read the Spark Notes AFTER you read "And Then There Were None." I recommend.

Once again Agatha Christie weaves her mysterious tales. In this book our heroine Poirot is entrapped in a tremendous deception which will keep you on the edge of your seat. Although I tend to be a fan of the Miss Marple stories, I enjoyed this immensely. I only wish it were longer.

Very suspenseful in some parts, boring in other

The book is definitely for the young reader. I sent mine back aafter just a few pages and a skim (since I am an old reader!). I have read Agatha's wonderful autobiorgraphy and I was astounded how this author could take the same info and make it so very boring. Lots of detail and no life. I wouldn't recommend it to young readers either-surely we can do better for our children.