Agatha Cristie (née Miller) was born in 1890 in Torquay, Devon Her first book, The Mysterious Affair at Styles was published in 1920. This was the first outing of her famous creation Hercule Poirot.
Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time, having sold around 2 billion copies. Her most famous works are her detective stories, featuring Jane Marple, Parker Pyne, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, and Harley Quin/Mr Satterthwaite as well as the aforementioned Hercule Poirot. She was made a Dame in 1971 for her contribution to literature and she died in 1976 at the age of 85.
Christie's stage play, The Mousetrap, holds the record for the longest initial run: it opened on the 25th of November 1952 and is still running today! Most of her books and short stories have been adapted for television or radio and over thirty films have been based on her work.
Test your knowledge of the life and works of Agatha Christie in this fun yet challenging quiz!