Title: After the Funeral
Author: Agatha Christie
First published March 1, 1953
306 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780425173909 (ISBN10: 0425173909)
Rating: 3.9
Overview
The Dancer
They wanted her gone. She was a threat.
She danced to her own rhythm and they despised her for it. They saw her light, her beauty, her strength, and they wanted to extinguish it.
But she fought back. She held up the mirror.
She made them see. And what do monsters do when they see their reflection?
They try to destroy it.
They took her away. She was their prisoner.
They used her, abused her, and left her broken. But she refused to stay down.
She cut through their darkness and made them feel. Forcing them to face the truth about themselves.
And what does a woman like her do to the men who try to break her? She fights back with every fiber of her being.
WARNING: This is an 18+ dark, contemporary, reverse harem romance and contains graphic sex scenes, non-con and dub-con, violence, and other subject matter that some may find triggering. This story will have a hard-won HEA.
About the Author
Agatha Christie was a prolific author who wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. She is considered the best-selling author of all time, with her books having sold over a billion copies in English and in translation.
Her works have been translated into at least 103 languages, making her the most-translated individual author. Christie is famous for creating two iconic sleuths in Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple, and her play, “The Mousetrap,” holds the record for the longest-running play in modern theatre.
Born in Torquay, Devon, England, Christie was the youngest of three children. She served as a nurse in a Devon hospital during World War I and later worked in a hospital pharmacy, gaining knowledge of poisons that would feature prominently in her novels.
During World War II, she worked as a pharmacy assistant at University College Hospital in London.
Christie’s first novel, “The Mysterious Affair at Styles,” was published in 1920. She went on to publish several more books during her first marriage, including a collection of short stories.
Her personal life was tumultuous, with her husband Archie revealing in 1926 that he was in love with another woman and wanted a divorce. Christie disappeared for eleven days after the quarrel, causing a public outcry.
In 1930, she married archaeologist Max Mallowan and joined him on his archaeological digs, which provided inspiration for several of her novels.
Christie often used familiar settings in her stories, drawing from her travels and experiences. She frequently stayed at Abney Hall in Cheshire, which inspired her depictions of country-house life in her books.
In recognition of her literary achievements, Christie was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1956 and became the President of the Detection Club the following year.
Editoral Review
Agatha Christie, the queen of crime fiction, has captivated readers with her clever plots and intriguing characters for over a century. Her novel, “After the Funeral,” is no exception.
First published in 1953, “After the Funeral” sees Christie at the height of her powers. The book contains all the hallmarks of her work: a murder mystery, a web of deceit and a cast of unforgettable characters.
At the heart of the story is the death of wealthy patriarch Richard Abernethie. His siblings gather for his funeral, and as they come together to mourn his death, they begin to suspect that the cause of his demise may not have been natural.
Enter Hercule Poirot, Christie’s iconic detective, who is called upon to unravel the complex web of clues and motives that surround the Abernethie family. Christie’s writing is precise and controlled, and her plotting is expertly crafted.
The tension and suspense build throughout the novel, and readers will find themselves on the edge of their seats as they try to unravel the mystery before Poirot. Her characters are fully realized, each with their own motives, secrets and personalities.
Poirot, as always, is a delight, with his keen intellect and unshakeable confidence. One of the book’s strengths is its exploration of family dynamics.
Christie delves into the complexities and tensions inherent in family relationships, as well as the impact of class and money on human behavior. However, the book may feel slightly dated at times, particularly in its portrayal of women and some of the characters’ attitudes towards people of different races and classes.
While these issues cannot be ignored, they should be understood in the context of the time in which the book was written. Overall, “After the Funeral” is a classic Christie mystery, expertly crafted and endlessly entertaining.
Fans of the genre will love it, as will readers who are new to Christie’s work. It is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery.
Rating: 4/5 stars.