The Art of Crime

When I was in Torquay last autumn, attending the Agatha Christie Festival, I popped into an art display in the Grand Hotel. Like pretty much everything happening in Torquay that particular week, it had a Christie theme, and I was instantly taken by one of the pictures, in which the artist had painted a host of Christie hardbacks on two shelves. Very striking indeed. Unfortunately but unsurprisingly, someone had already bought it. But prints were also available, and I was quick to bag one.

As well as being a very occasional crime writer, with two published stories to her credit, Mrs Edwards is also an accomplished artist, and she too was impressed with the Christie print. There is something very attractive about old books in good condition, and they make appealing and rather unusual subjects for paintings. So she has set about producing a few of her own devising - an example is above - and at least there is no shortage of old books in the Edwards household to appear in her works.

They make excellent presents, so if you're looking for an unusual present for the crime fan in your life, let me know, and I'll put you in touch with the artist herself. She has also started a blog, which tells you a lot more.