All About Agatha Christie
All About Agatha is a podcast all about, well, Agatha. Agatha Christie, of course: the Queen of Crime, a real-life Dame of the British Empire, and author of sixty-six mystery novels that spanned the Twentieth Century, defining a genre. For five years, Catherine Brobeck and Kemper Donovan revisited these novels in publication order, ranking them according to pre-set criteria (plot, character, etc.). Tragically, Catherine Brobeck passed away at the end of 2021. Since then, Kemper has completed the podcast's ranking project, and now contents himself with celebrating the greatness of Christie by attempting to solve the ultimate mystery where she is concerned. Why Christie--and Christie alone--endures as powerfully as she does.
Latest episodes
May 7, 2022 • 2h 41min
And Then There Were 4: Elephants Can Remember by Agatha Christie
It's been a while since we’ve done a Stefon, so here goes. This episode has everything: twins, wigs, continuity errors, Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver (surely the model upon which Will & Grace were built) teaming up one last time, and of course, Dr. Mark Aldridge, co-host extraordinaire. It’s time to find out if elephants really can remember! (Spoiler: they mainly can’t.) You can find bonus content at: http://www.patreon.com/allaboutagatha.
Apr 22, 2022 • 1h 23min
Interview with Gillian Gill, Author of Agatha Christie: The Woman and Her Mysteries
What a pleasure to chat with one of the early Christie biographers--and critical analysts--about Agatha Christie as both a writer and a person. We even talk about sex! (Consider yourselves titillated... even though Agatha definitely would not have been.) You can find bonus material at: http://www.patreon.com/allaboutagatha. This episode is sponsored by http://www.smilebrilliant.com. Remember to use coupon code AGATHA.
Apr 8, 2022 • 48min
A Hercule Poirot Amuse-Bouche: Wasps' Nest by Agatha Christie
Apostrophes, feminine writers, and water butts. Oh my. This episode is brought to you by http://www.smilebrilliant.com. Remember to use coupon code AGATHA. You can visit the podcast's Patreon site at: http://www.patreon.com/allaboutagatha.
8 snips
Mar 25, 2022 • 52min
Interview with Nita Prose, Author of The Maid
Author Nita Prose discusses her debut novel 'The Maid' in an interview, exploring character-driven narratives, Agatha Christie's influence, and the balance between mystery and storytelling. They delve into world-building, reader participation, justice in mysteries, and the charm of 'Murder on the Orient Express'. Lastly, they touch on movie adaptations and upcoming mystery novels.
Mar 11, 2022 • 1h 27min
Interview with Alex Michaelides, Author of The Silent Patient & The Maidens
Alex is the real deal when it comes to his passion for Christie, and for the craft of writing mysteries. This interview was simply a joy. I hope (and trust) you'll feel the same. Visit the podcast's Patreon site at: http://www.patreon.com/allaboutagatha.
Feb 26, 2022 • 2h 47min
And Then There Were 5: Nemesis by Agatha Christie (with special guest Jamie Bernthal!)
Get comfortable, because this is a loooong episode (at this rate, Sleeping Murder will have to be released in six parts, like a miniseries). But can you blame me--and Jamie--for wanting to spend as much time as we did critiquing this stupendous (though flawed) late Marple novel? Put on your warmest pink scarf and your red-and-black-checked pullover, and beware of any "rocking stones" in the vicinity as you immerse yourself in the world of... Nemesis.
Feb 14, 2022 • 2min
*Special Announcement* re Magnolia Blossom by Agatha Christie (Free Patreon Episode!)
It may not be a heart-shaped box of chocolates wrapped in crinkly plastic, but I hope you'll enjoy my Valentine's confection for you in the form of a free-to-download, love-themed Patreon episode. (You can click the link below; it'll be the first episode to appear in the queue.) Enjoy! http://www.patreon.com/allaboutagatha
Feb 11, 2022 • 1h 4min
Interview with Sophie Hannah, Author of The Couple at the Table
Another episode, another Sophie Hannah confection! Come for the Death on the Nile gush-fest and the discussion of character versus plot in contemporary crime fiction, stay for Sophie’s shocking takedown of American English (I jest…). For bonus episodes, check out the All About Agatha Patreon site at: www.patreon.com/allaboutagatha.
Jan 28, 2022 • 39min
A Hercule Poirot Amuse-Bouche: Double Sin by Agatha Christie
We get lots of Poirot and Hastings in this fairly light-hearted short story, and lots of Poirot and Hastings and Lemon and Japp in the stupendously light-hearted episode based on this short story. In other words: a good time all around.
Jan 15, 2022 • 2h 14min
And Then There Were 6: Passenger to Frankfurt by Agatha Christie (with bonus Sophie Hannah!)
It wasn't easy recording my first episode without Catherine, but fortunately I had a friend to help me: Sophie Hannah, who duked out the rankings with me as my guest co-host. And what a time we had discussing this extremely flawed, though extremely fascinating late-career Christie thriller....
