"The Big Four" by Agatha Christie is a unique detective fiction novel that breaks away from the traditional Poirot stories. It originated from twelve separately published short stories, delving into international intrigue and espionage, showcasing Christie's foray into spy fiction. The story begins with an enigmatic visitor, Mayerling, entering...More
Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie (15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English writer known for her sixty-six detective novels and fourteen short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, The Mousetrap, which was performed in the West End from 1952 to 2020, as well as six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
She was initially an unsuccessful writer with...More
Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie (15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English writer known for her sixty-six detective novels and fourteen short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, The Mousetrap, which was performed in the West End from 1952 to 2020, as well as six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
She was initially an unsuccessful writer with six consecutive rejections, but this changed in 1920 when The Mysterious Affair at Styles, featuring detective Hercule Poirot, was published. According to Index Translationum, she remains the most-translated individual author. And Then There Were None is one of the highest-selling books of all time, with approximately 100 million sales.
Book Summary
"The Big Four" by Agatha Christie is a unique detective fiction novel that breaks away from the traditional Poirot stories. It originated from twelve separately published short stories, delving into international intrigue and espionage, showcasing Christie's foray into spy fiction. The story begins with an enigmatic visitor, Mayerling, entering Poirot's bedroom and revealing the existence of the Big Four—a global crime cartel led by four individuals, including a Chinese mastermind, an American, a Frenchwoman, and an enigmatic "Destroyer." Tragically, Mayerling dies, compelling Poirot and Hastings to pursue the Big Four. The novel unfolds through interconnected short stories, uncovering the plans of this multiethnic gang of four seeking world domination. Their secret hideaway is concealed within an Italian quarry, disguised as a front company owned by Abe Ryland, housing a vast underground base where they issue wireless commands to their widespread followers.
Agatha Christie
