Agatha Christie is one of the most popular writers in history. Almost four billion copies of her novels have been sold across the globe, and her book sales are beaten only by William Shakespeare. Here, we take a look at the life of the best-selling author, whose novels include some of the most recognisable characters in British literature, including Poirot and Miss Marple. Appointment with Death is a work of the detective and was first published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club on 2 May 1938 and in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company later in the same year. The novel opens as the family and the victim are introduced through the perspective of Sarah King and Dr Gerard, who discuss the behaviour of the family. Sarah King is in for a great surprise when she sees Raymond Boynton again in Petra. In Jerusalem, they met, but then he seemed to ignore her friendly gestures. Despite her being upset about his attitude, she began to realise what had made him behave in such a way. Meanwhile, on his first night in the ancient city of Palestine Hercule Poirot heard words uttered by unseen lips: ‘You do see, don’t you, that she’s got to be killed?’ To Dr Gerard’s mind, the Boyntons are definitely peculiar. The old Mrs Boynton is always surrounded by her grown-up stepchildren and daughter. Never will they dare to move away from her side. They also obey what she says at any time. When she is found dead in her chair on their second night in Petra, it seems to bring great relief to everyone… Enjoy free online English audiobook “Appointment with Death”, a novel by Agatha Christie.
