Agatha Christie's London

I've known Tina Hodgkinson for several years - if I remember rightly, which can never be guaranteed, we first met at the British Library - and I've been aware for some time that she's been working on her first book. It has now been published by the History Press (and they have managed a very nice production job, I must say) and you can guess from the title that I'd be likely to be enthusiastic about it. It's called Agatha Christie's London: A Historical Guide to the Queen of Crime's Capital.

Tina is well-qualified to write such a book, since her interest in detective fiction is complemented by her experience as a London guide. Twelve years ago, indeed, she created a series of Agatha-themed walking tours. I should disclose that I'm mentioned generously in the acknowledgments, but I can honestly say that I really like this book and I have no hesitation in recommending it to fellow Agatha fans. It's a gem of Agatha-related literature.

A lot has been written about Agatha (and I and many terrific and illustrious writers will be adding to the volume with the forthcoming British Library exhibition book, Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery) but this means that it isn't necessarily easy to write a book that doesn't cover too much familiar ground. However, Tina has managed to do this. I learned a lot from this book. She is a genuine expert in her field.

I know parts of London well, as I have spent a lot of time there over the years (and, ages ago, I had the pleasure of spending a couple of nights at Brown's Hotel in Albemarle Street, which features in the book - daren't think what it would cost now!) but my view of the city is essentially that of an outsider. But Tina is a reliable guide, and when she takes her readers all around the capital, we can be confident we will have an interesting time - and not get lost!