Death at Greenway

Ten young evacuee children arrive at Greenway House in Devon during WWII, accompanied by two nurses tasked with their care. The historic estate, owned by mystery author Agatha Christie, becomes both sanctuary and source of tension as Bridey Kelly - a failed nursing student with a hidden past - struggles to perform her duties alongside the more experienced nurse, Mrs. Greenwood. The peaceful countryside setting belies mounting dangers, from unexploded bombs to suspicious activities in the nearby village. When a body is discovered near the estate, Bridey must confront both her own secrets and the possibility that someone at Greenway harbors deadly intentions. Life continues at the great house amid rationing, blackout regulations, and the children's needs, while mysteries accumulate and relationships grow increasingly complex. The story moves between wartime Devon and London, where Bridey's past catches up with her present circumstances. The novel examines how trauma and deception affect both individuals and communities during times of national crisis. Through its exploration of identity and duty, the story raises questions about who can be trusted when everyone has something to hide.

Readers report that Death at Greenway starts slowly but builds tension in its second half. The dual timeline structure and atmospheric details of Agatha Christie's holiday home drew readers in, with many noting the rich historical research about WWII evacuees and nurses. Liked: - Authentic period details and setting - Complex female characters - Integration of real historical events - Parallel mysteries across timelines Disliked: - Slow pacing in first half - Too many characters to track - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Several readers expected more connection to Agatha Christie Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (500+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (150+ ratings) "The atmosphere and setting were perfect but the plot meandered," noted one Goodreads reviewer. Another on Amazon wrote: "Worth pushing through the slow start for the rewarding second half."

The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan A group of English village women navigate love, loss, and espionage on the home front during World War II through their experiences in a local choir.

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn Two women - a female spy from World War I and an American socialite - connect in 1947 to search for a missing person and uncover wartime secrets.

The Blackout Club by Daisy Wood Three young women working at the BBC during World War II become entangled in a murder mystery while keeping London's radio broadcasts running during air raids.

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton A daughter uncovers her mother's connection to an English castle and three elderly sisters who harbored evacuees during World War II.

The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson A female Latin teacher arrives in an English coastal town in 1914 and becomes caught between small-town politics and the approaching specter of World War I.

🏛️ During WWII, the real Greenway House - Agatha Christie's holiday home - housed child evacuees from London, just as depicted in the novel. 🎯 Author Lori Rader-Day extensively researched British nurse training programs of the 1940s to accurately portray protagonist Bridey Kelly's experiences. 📚 The book is loosely based on true events, as Christie did indeed offer her home as a refuge for children during the war, though the murder mystery plot is fictional. 🏆 Death at Greenway won the 2022 Mary Higgins Clark Award from Mystery Writers of America for its skillful blend of historical detail and suspense. 🌿 The real Greenway House, located in Devon, England, is now a National Trust property open to visitors, featuring Christie's personal library and extensive gardens overlooking the River Dart.