Audio tapes of Agatha Christie

The Takeaway

In the world of blockbuster books, Agatha Christie was way ahead of her time — not only in spinning unpredictable tales but also introducing the world to her distinctive characters. Now, newly discovered audio tapes give us a window into what she thought about her legendary detectives.

Christie’s grandson Mathew Prichard stumbled upon 27 of the half-hour long tapes; in a dusty cardboard box — undisturbed for 40 years — as he cleaned out a storeroom in Greenway, the Georgian property overlooking the Dart estuary in Devon that Christie called "the loveliest place in the world.” In the tapes, she explained why the fastidious Hercule Poirot and the indomitable Miss Marple should never meet.

"The Takeaway" is PRI’s new national morning news program, delivering the news and analysis you need to catch up, start your day, and prepare for what’s ahead. The show is a co-production of WNYC and PRI, in editorial collaboration with the BBC, The New York Times Radio, and WGBH.

More at thetakeaway.org

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