When a noted British historian writes about the world’s bestselling fiction writer of all time, the result is bound to be well-researched, erudite and non-sensational.

Worsley has developed a reputation as the presenter of BBC TV series on historical topics, as an author, and as joint chief curator of Historic Royal Palaces. For this biography of Agatha Christie, who wrote 66 detective novels and 14 books of short stories, as well as six novels under the pen-name of Mary Westmacott, Worsley had access to unpublished letters and other archive documents.

The name, Agatha Christie, itself is a pen-name as it stems from her short first marriage, but she spent the majority of her life as the wife of archaeologist Max Mallowan.

Although she became the world’s bestselling fiction author and history’s most performed female playwright, Agatha always filled in forms with her occupation given as ‘housewife’. She was seen by many as an elusive woman, and when she disappeared in 1926 for 11 days, many people thought it was to frame her philandering first husband, Archie Christie, for murder. Several unauthorised biographies take that line about her disappearance. But Worsley has tracked down Agatha’s own statements about that time, meticulously setting the record straight, including details of the medical treatment Agatha received after she was identified in Harrogate.

Never happier than when she was writing, Agatha even did so in Middle Eastern deserts on archaeological digs; and used her experience working in hospital pharmacies during two world wars to pepper her novels with poisoners. She learnt to surf in Hawaii, loved fast cars, and was interested in psychology, but in no way did Agatha allow herself the trappings of modern celebrity. That would not do for utterly private, even elusive, plain Mrs Mallowan.

Reviewed by Jennifer Somerville

LISTEN TO A PODCAST WITH LUCY WORSLEY ON A LIFETIME OF LOVING JANE AUSTEN