This course critically explores how Agatha Christie helped to shape the detective genre in the twentieth century, the publishing history of some of her most celebrated works, and how Christie navigated themes of class, gender, morality and justice. Through selected readings, discussions and analysis, we will explore the literary significance and enduring appeal of the Queen of Crime.
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Agatha Christie dominated the inter-war Golden Age of British detective fiction and continues to this day to beguile and enthral readers with her intricate plotting, fiendish twists and formidable detectives. This course critically explores how Christie helped to shape the detective genre in the twentieth century, the publishing history of some of her most celebrated works, and how Christie navigated themes of class, gender, morality and justice. Through selected readings, discussions and analysis, we will explore the literary significance and enduring appeal of the Queen of Crime.
What will we cover?
The course will examine three novels and several short stories within their critical, commercial and social context. We will delve into the biographical history of Christie and consider her cultural legacy through a mixture of close reading of primary texts and engagement with secondary criticism.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Draw on an increased critical vocabulary to discuss key developments in Crime Fiction of the inter-war period.
Discuss the narrative techniques and genre conventions deployed by Golden Age Mystery writers.
Outline the impact of broader cultural and technological shifts on the Crime Genre.
Compare the style, viewpoint and thematic concerns of Christie across her theatrical and literary work, while exploring their social contexts and biographical histories.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a course for anyone who is interested in Crime Fiction and/or fiction of the inter-war period.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The sessions will consist of a combination of presentations by the tutor, class discussion and small group work. Alongside the main course texts, we will look at shorter articles and clips to supply context and support for deeper critical engagement.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please buy or borrow:
Agatha Christie. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926)
Agatha Christie. A Murder is Announced (1950)
Agatha Christie. The Mousetrap (1952)
Agatha Christie. Death Comes as the End (1944)
The tutor will distribute additional materials (articles, short stories and excerpts) for discussion in class.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other fiction courses in the Literature programme at www.citylit.ac.uk/courses under Culture, History and Humanities.
William Brady is a lecturer at St Mary’s University, Twickenham and is from Dublin. In 2019 he received his PhD in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin and has presented his research in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Croatia. He writes and lectures on contemporary literature, war writing, and psychogeography. A passionate Gaeilgeoir, he is on the committee of Conradh na Gaeilge i Londain, which promotes and organises events relating to Irish language and culture in London. He is also a contributor to the Nuacht Mhall podcast, which delivers news and current affairs at a gentle pace for learners of the Irish language.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/queen-of-crime-on-page-and-stage-agatha-christie3047242Queen of Crime on page and stage: Agatha Christiehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/fiction-1024.jpg149149GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction/Courses/Online courses228511771187118817311228511771187<p>This course critically explores how Agatha Christie helped to shape the detective genre in the twentieth century, the publishing history of some of her most celebrated works, and how Christie navigated themes of class, gender, morality and justice. Through selected readings, discussions and analysis, we will explore the literary significance and enduring appeal of the Queen of Crime. </p><p></p>003047215Queen of Crime on page and stage: Agatha Christie149149https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/fiction-1024.jpgInStockEveningThuOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-24T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceSep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLT325149149Queen of Crime on page and stage: Agatha Christie14997149William Bradyqueen-of-crime-on-page-and-stage-agatha-christie/hlt325-2627<p>This course critically explores how Agatha Christie helped to shape the detective genre in the twentieth century, the publishing history of some of her most celebrated works, and how Christie navigated themes of class, gender, morality and justice. Through selected readings, discussions and analysis, we will explore the literary significance and enduring appeal of the Queen of Crime. </p><p></p>0000-Available|2026-09-24 00:00:00<p>Agatha Christie dominated the inter-war Golden Age of British detective fiction and continues to this day to beguile and enthral readers with her intricate plotting, fiendish twists and formidable detectives. This course critically explores how Christie helped to shape the detective genre in the twentieth century, the publishing history of some of her most celebrated works, and how Christie navigated themes of class, gender, morality and justice. Through selected readings, discussions and analysis, we will explore the literary significance and enduring appeal of the Queen of Crime. </p><p></p><p>This course critically explores how Agatha Christie helped to shape the detective genre in the twentieth century, the publishing history of some of her most celebrated works, and how Christie navigated themes of class, gender, morality and justice. Through selected readings, discussions and analysis, we will explore the literary significance and enduring appeal of the Queen of Crime. </p><p></p><p>The course will examine three novels and several short stories within their critical, commercial and social context. We will delve into the biographical history of Christie and consider her cultural legacy through a mixture of close reading of primary texts and engagement with secondary criticism. </p><ul><li>Draw on an increased critical vocabulary to discuss key developments in Crime Fiction of the inter-war period.</li></ul><ul><li>Discuss the narrative techniques and genre conventions deployed by Golden Age Mystery writers.</li></ul><ul><li>Outline the impact of broader cultural and technological shifts on the Crime Genre.</li></ul><ul><li>Compare the style, viewpoint and thematic concerns of Christie across her theatrical and literary work, while exploring their social contexts and biographical histories.</li></ul>This is a course for anyone who is interested in Crime Fiction and/or fiction of the inter-war period.The sessions will consist of a combination of presentations by the tutor, class discussion and small group work. Alongside the main course texts, we will look at shorter articles and clips to supply context and support for deeper critical engagement.<p>Please buy or borrow:</p><p>Agatha Christie. <em>The Murder of Roger Ackroyd </em>(1926)</p><p>Agatha Christie. <em>A Murder is Announced </em>(1950)</p><p>Agatha Christie. <em>The Mousetrap </em>(1952)</p><p>Agatha Christie. <em>Death Comes as the End </em>(1944)</p><p>The tutor will distribute additional materials (articles, short stories and excerpts) for discussion in class.</p><p>Look for other fiction courses in the Literature programme at www.citylit.ac.uk/courses under Culture, History and Humanities.</p>LiteratureFictionvirtual14914997HLT325NONEThu24/09/26 - 05/11/2618:00 - 19:3018:0019:306 sessions (over 7 weeks)65-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineWilliam BradyBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2026-09-24T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Culture, history & humanities149149Queen of Crime on page and stage: Agatha Christiequeen-of-crime-on-page-and-stage-agatha-christie/hlt325-2627<p>This course critically explores how Agatha Christie helped to shape the detective genre in the twentieth century, the publishing history of some of her most celebrated works, and how Christie navigated themes of class, gender, morality and justice. Through selected readings, discussions and analysis, we will explore the literary significance and enduring appeal of the Queen of Crime. </p><p></p>0000-Available|2026-09-24 00:00:00<p>Agatha Christie dominated the inter-war Golden Age of British detective fiction and continues to this day to beguile and enthral readers with her intricate plotting, fiendish twists and formidable detectives. This course critically explores how Christie helped to shape the detective genre in the twentieth century, the publishing history of some of her most celebrated works, and how Christie navigated themes of class, gender, morality and justice. Through selected readings, discussions and analysis, we will explore the literary significance and enduring appeal of the Queen of Crime. </p><p></p><p>This course critically explores how Agatha Christie helped to shape the detective genre in the twentieth century, the publishing history of some of her most celebrated works, and how Christie navigated themes of class, gender, morality and justice. Through selected readings, discussions and analysis, we will explore the literary significance and enduring appeal of the Queen of Crime. </p><p></p><p>The course will examine three novels and several short stories within their critical, commercial and social context. We will delve into the biographical history of Christie and consider her cultural legacy through a mixture of close reading of primary texts and engagement with secondary criticism. </p><ul><li>Draw on an increased critical vocabulary to discuss key developments in Crime Fiction of the inter-war period.</li></ul><ul><li>Discuss the narrative techniques and genre conventions deployed by Golden Age Mystery writers.</li></ul><ul><li>Outline the impact of broader cultural and technological shifts on the Crime Genre.</li></ul><ul><li>Compare the style, viewpoint and thematic concerns of Christie across her theatrical and literary work, while exploring their social contexts and biographical histories.</li></ul>This is a course for anyone who is interested in Crime Fiction and/or fiction of the inter-war period.The sessions will consist of a combination of presentations by the tutor, class discussion and small group work. Alongside the main course texts, we will look at shorter articles and clips to supply context and support for deeper critical engagement.<p>Please buy or borrow:</p><p>Agatha Christie. <em>The Murder of Roger Ackroyd </em>(1926)</p><p>Agatha Christie. <em>A Murder is Announced </em>(1950)</p><p>Agatha Christie. <em>The Mousetrap </em>(1952)</p><p>Agatha Christie. <em>Death Comes as the End </em>(1944)</p><p>The tutor will distribute additional materials (articles, short stories and excerpts) for discussion in class.</p><p>Look for other fiction courses in the Literature programme at www.citylit.ac.uk/courses under Culture, History and Humanities.</p>LiteratureFictionconfigurable
11881187Fictionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature/fiction1/2/285/1177/1187/11881/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction
