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Absent in the Spring

A Mary Westmacott Novel

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Absent in the Spring

By: Agatha Christie
Narrated by: Jacqui Crago
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Summary

A striking novel of truth and soul-searching.

Returning from a visit to her daughter in Iraq, Joan Scudamore finds herself unexpectedly alone and stranded in an isolated rest house by flooding of the railway tracks.
Looking back over the years, Joan painfully re-examines her attitudes, relationships and actions and becomes increasingly uneasy about the person who is revealed to her…

Famous for her ingenious crime books and plays, Agatha Christie also wrote about crimes of the heart, six bittersweet and very personal novels, as compelling and memorable as the best of her work.

‘The one book that has satisfied me completely – the book I always wanted to write.’ Agatha Christie

(P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Classics Crime Fiction Mystery Traditional Detectives Women's Fiction Exciting
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Critic reviews

‘A tour de force which should be recognized as a classic.’ New York Times
All stars
Most relevant
A perceptive book, timeless and beautifully read. More Westmacott required Agatha, reflecting those inner voices and gaps in understanding.

A joy of book

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A woman finds herself marooned in a lonely place and is forced to review her life. Nothing much happens, but it is compelling listening. As ever, Agatha Christie, shows a great understanding of human nature and her wonderful gift of storytelling. I wish it had gone on longer.

A book that makes you think about your life.

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I loved this book, it seems very modern even thought it was written and set very much in the 1930s. The main character has been to visit her young married daughter in Baghdad and is travelling home, when she sees a former school friend who has aged badly. She feels pity for her old friend but on her journey home a delay in the desert gives her time to reflect on her own life and relationships and face demons of her own.

Unreliable narrator!

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I am not sure that young people would get this. As I was born in 1950 I have met many women like Joan! Very worthy and awfully smug. Her relationship with her family is described absolutely brilliantly. Her journey of self Discovery and doubt is very clever. The narration could not have been better. It was truly superb.

Loved this

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loved it. Definitely recommend. A book that makes you think. I will listen again great.

brilliantly written

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