A winter setting, an amateur dramatic society group and a Country House - classic components of a murder mystery in the style of Agatha Christie.

As a huge Agatha Christie fan (both of her writing and her very interesting life) I was immediately drawn to The Secret of Abney Hall and it did not disappoint. The stylish art deco artwork on the cover and the beautiful typeface and motifs at the start of each chapter brought the world of the 1920s to life. The premise for the novel is a fictionalised account of what happened to Agatha Christie during her recuperation following her real life disappearance in December 1926. Both in this fictional version and in reality Agatha stays at her sister’s home of Abney Hall and it is here that this story unfolds.

Our protagonist is Agatha’s appointed nurse, Jane Goodbetter, who assumes the role of amateur sleuth guiding the reader through the novel. Jane has her own secrets lurking which add to the mystery. A company of actors are rehearsing at Abney Hall when heavy snow forces them to take up residence and in a true Agatha Christie way murder follows.

The tone of the prose in the novel is very appropriate to the time period. The writing sweeps along with short, clipped sentences and plenty of dialogue which keeps the reader hooked. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way. The inclusion of Agatha herself is cleverly done with just enough interaction but she doesn’t overshadow the other characters.

The combination of a fictional crime and an actual historical event make this a captivating read for fans of this genre. Thoroughly entertaining, a smashing whodunnit!

As an Agatha Christie fan, I was drawn to “The Secret of Abney Hall” by its intriguing premise: a fictional murder mystery set during Christie’s recovery from her real-life disappearance in 1926. Susan Brownrigg brings the period to life, and the snowy country-house setting, theatrical company, and gathering secrets create all the ingredients of a classic locked-room whodunnit.
I enjoyed seeing the story through the eyes of Jane Goodbetter, Christie’s private nurse and an engaging amateur sleuth. Jane’s own hidden past adds another layer of mystery, while Christie is woven into the plot without taking attention away from the other characters. The brisk prose and lively dialogue kept me turning pages as the clues and twists accumulated.
The book’s 1920s atmosphere is a particular delight, from the elegant house to the sense of mounting unease as the storm traps everyone together. I also appreciated how the fictional crime is grounded in a real moment from Christie’s life.
Overall, I found this a thoroughly entertaining, stylish mystery—especially enjoyable for readers who love Christie, historical fiction, and classic country-house puzzles.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this fascinating fictionalised account of Agatha Christie's recuperation after her mysterious disappearance in 1926, so I was delighted to receive an advance copy from the publisher. From the gorgeous art deco cover to the confidences waiting to be uncovered inside, this book is a proper treat from start to finish! I was already familiar with Agatha's newsworthy eleven day disappearance hiding out in at The Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate but knew nothing of her connection to Abney Hall. Susan Brownrigg's meticulously researched cosy crime novel gives us a delightful immersive peek into Agatha's family life at her elder sister's home in Cheadle - along with a generous dose of murder, of course!
In a grand country house where everyone (including the narrator) is hiding a secret, can Agatha's own nurse be the one to solve the mystery?

Huge thanks to the author and Fox and Ink books for the early read.