Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library - by Amanda Chapman (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Book conservator Tory Van Dyne and a woman claiming to be Agatha Christie on holiday from the Great Beyond join forces to catch a killer in this spirited mystery from Amanda Chapman. Tory Van Dyne is the most down-to-earth member of a decidedly eccentric old-money New York family. For one thing, as book conservator at Manhattan's Mystery Guild Library, she actually has a job. Plus, she's left up-town society behind for a quiet life downtown. So she's not thrilled when she discovers a woman in the library's Christie Room who calmly introduces herself as Agatha Christie, politely requests a cocktail, and announces she's there to help solve a murder- that has not yet happened. But as soon as Tory determines that this is just a fairly nutty Christie fangirl, her socialite/actress cousin Nicola gets caught up in the suspicious death of her less-than-lovable talent agent. Nic, as always, looks to Tory for help. Tory, in turn, looks to Mrs. Christie. The woman, whoever or whatever she is, clearly knows her stuff when it comes to crime. Aided by a found family of unlikely sleuths-including a snarky librarian, an eleven-year-old computer whiz, and an NYPD detective with terrible taste in suits-Tory and the woman claiming to be her very much deceased literary idol begin to unravel the twists and turns of a murderer's devious mind. Because, in the immortal words of Miss Jane Marple, "murder is never simple.""-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Book conservator Tory Van Dyne and a woman claiming to be Agatha Christie on holiday from the Great Beyond join forces to catch a killer in this spirited mystery from Amanda Chapman.

Tory Van Dyne is the most down-to-earth member of a decidedly eccentric old-money New York family. For one thing, as book conservator at Manhattan's Mystery Guild Library, she actually has a job. Plus, she's left up-town society behind for a quiet life downtown. So she's not thrilled when she discovers a woman in the library's Christie Room who calmly introduces herself as Agatha Christie, politely requests a cocktail, and announces she's there to help solve a murder-- that has not yet happened.

But as soon as Tory determines that this is just a fairly nutty Christie fangirl, her socialite/actress cousin Nicola gets caught up in the suspicious death of her less-than-lovable talent agent. Nic, as always, looks to Tory for help. Tory, in turn, looks to Mrs. Christie. The woman, whoever or whatever she is, clearly knows her stuff when it comes to crime.

Aided by an unlikely band of fellow sleuths --including a snarky librarian, an eleven-year-old computer whiz, and an NYPD detective with terrible taste in suits--Tory and the woman claiming to be her very much deceased literary idol begin to unravel the twists and turns of a murderer's devious mind. Because, in the immortal words of Miss Jane Marple, "murder is never simple."

Review Quotes

"The first in a new series that I know is going to be a delight. Clever, funny, sharp, surprising -- Amanda Chapman delivers!"

- Elizabeth Gilbert, New York Times bestselling author of City of Girls and Eat, Pray, Love

"Amanda Chapman's Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library has everything a reader could want in a mystery, including the (possible) ghost of Agatha Christie, the queen of puzzle solvers. Add a whopping good mystery, engaging characters, a little romance, glamorous New York, and you have the perfect cocktail. It's a sparkling, witty gem with heart, and I can't wait for the next installment!"

- Deborah Crombie, McCavity Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James Scotland Yard mysteries.

"Chapman intrigues and delights with this twisty and funny must-read tale featuring (it appears!) the Queen of Crime herself. Narrator Tory Van Dyne is at first mystified by Mrs. Christie but ends up marveling at how she unravels myriad clues to solve two homicides. Prepare to lose sleep -- you won't want to put this book down."

- Maddie Day, Agatha Award-winning author of Scone Cold Dead and Murder at Cape Costumers

"Witty, twisty, and utterly enthralling, Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library pays homage to Dame Agatha and is a love song to New York City. I fell in love with the Mystery Guild Library and can't wait to pay it another visit!"

- Ellen Byron, USA Today bestselling author and Agatha Award winner

"Chapman has a blast with her contemporary New York setting, resettling British mystery tropes among Manhattan's rare books community, theatrical circles, and eccentric Upper East Siders. Uncovering a killer, it turns out, can be just as fun in the Big Apple as it is in St. Mary Mead. Fans of classic detective fiction are in for a treat."

- Publisher's Weekly starred review

"Fans of the Queen of Crime will delight in this modernized classic mystery, heavily laden with Christie lore."

- Kirkus

About the Author

Amanda Chapman is a lifelong mystery lover and wordsmith. An enthusiastic fan of traditional mysteries and of New York City she found herself wondering, "What if someone recreated Agatha Christie's personal library -- even to the furnishings and architecture -- in New York City? What would happen in that space?" And thus MRS. CHRISTIE AT THE MYSTERY GUILD LIBRARY, the first in a new series, was born.