Agatha Christie's Rise

 By Jonathan Shih

In this rare photograph from circa 1913, we see the legendary crime novelist Agatha Christie in a quiet moment at the window of her home in Derbyshire. This image captures a glimpse into the early years of a woman who would go on to become one of the most renowned authors in the history of literature. At this time, Christie was still in her twenties, having published only a few works, but her future as the "Queen of Crime" was already on the horizon. The year 1913 was significant for her, marking the beginning of her life as a married woman to Archibald Christie, whom she had married just a year earlier. The couple moved to various homes during their early years together, and this image was likely taken during their time in Derbyshire. This picturesque region would provide her with some inspiration for her writing.

Agatha Christie's life in the early 20th century was far from the glamorous persona that she would later embody as a best-selling author. Born into an upper-middle-class family in 1890, she lived through both world wars and witnessed significant social changes, many of which would later influence her novels. The 1910s were formative years for Christie, as she began to hone her skills as a writer. It was also during this time that she started traveling, visiting places such as Egypt and the Middle East, which would later play a pivotal role in her writing, particularly in works such as Murder on the Orient Express (1934) and Death on the Nile (1937).

Although her writing career didn’t truly take off until the mid-1920s, Christie’s early experiences were vital in shaping her distinct voice in the literary world. By 1913, she had already started experimenting with short stories, although her first full-length novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, would not be published until 1920. In this period, however, she was primarily focused on her personal life and learning about the world around her, which would later serve as the foundation for her vivid and intricate mystery plots. The early part of her life, spent in the quiet countryside of Derbyshire, stands in stark contrast to the high-profile nature of her later career, where she would become an international celebrity.

Christie’s work was not just about creating suspenseful and thrilling tales; it was about capturing the essence of human nature and relationships, often set against the backdrop of the British upper classes, as seen in her detective protagonists, Hercule Poirot, and Miss Marple. This photograph, showing her at a serene moment in Derbyshire, represents a time of reflection and quiet before the storm of fame and literary success. While it may not seem like a momentous image, it is a reminder of the early years of one of the world’s most beloved authors, whose works continue to be read and adapted for new generations. The quiet, early years of her life would give way to an era of unparalleled success, making her one of the most celebrated crime writers of all time