Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. List any details that you know about Agatha Christie as a person and as a writer. What factors might explain why Agatha Christie’s novels are so popular?

Teaching Suggestion: Many students will be aware of who Agatha Christie is, but it is unlikely that they will know much about her life and the importance of her contributions to the mystery genre. You might ask them to attempt this prompt cold—to activate their prior knowledge on the subject—and then ask them to amend their answers with key points from the resources below, to ensure their understanding of the new information.

• This 10-minute video from England’s Channel 5 offers biographical information about Christie and shares some of the settings and events that inspired her work.
• This article from BBC Culture offers insights into the ways that Christie’s work comments on the concept of “Englishness.”
• This article from The New Republic provides balanced critical commentary on Christie’s legacy and enduring popularity.

2. What was the “Golden Age” of mystery? What is the Detection Club, and how does it relate to the Golden Age of mystery?