WHAT WONDROUS TREATS GRACIE HAS IN STORE FOR US AS SHE EXPLORES THE “CAMPI” AND “CALLE” OF THE CITY ON THE LAGOON. MANY THROUGHOUT THE AGES HAVE EXTOLLED VENICE‛S COUNTLESS CHARMS BUT NONE QUITE LIKE GRACIE. THE CAPTIVATING COCKER REGALES US WITH HER KEENEYED OBSERVATIONS AS SHE SNIFFS HER WAY AROUND THE “SERENISSIMA.”

NEW YORK CITY HAS NEVER HAD A GUIDE QUITE LIKE GRACIE‛S. THE PERIPATETIC POOCH SNIFFS OUT THE BEST OF THE BIG APPLE, FROM PUSHCART FARE TO MACY‛S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE. WHETHER VISITING HER FAVORITE SITES OR PROFFERING ADVICE ON DEALING WITH DOORMEN, GRACIE GIVES US A GLEEFUL GLIMPSE OF THE CITY THAT WILL DELIGHT NEW YORKERS AND VISITORS ALIKE.

DELIGHT IN THE MANY JOYS OF A SWISS MOUNTAIN VILLAGE THROUGH THE EYES OF ITS BIGGEST FAN – GRACIE! JOIN IN AS SHE SWOOSHES DOWN THE SLOPES ON HER SLED, VISITS THE FARM NEXT DOOR, FLIES HIGH IN A HOT-AIR BALLOON AND EXPLORES THE GLORIOUS VALLEY AROUND HER. WHETHER RIDING ON THE TRAIN OR IN A HORSE-DRAWN SLEIGH, LEARNING TO SAY “CHICKEN” IN COW LANGUAGE OR WAITING FOR PÈRE NOËL, GRACIE NEVER FAILS TO CHARM WITH HER SPARKLING ACCOUNT OF LIFE IN CHÂTEAU-D‛OEX, HER VERY FAVORITE VILLAGE IN SWITZERLAND.

Fact proves far stranger than fiction in this collection of real-life crimes, scandals, tragedies and murders which either influenced the works of the world's most popular mystery writer or affected the lives of many famous personalities involved in her long and brilliant career. Discover the truth behind many of her books, such as how the exploits of Jack the Ripper inspired the serial killings in The ABC Murders and how the plot twist in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was suggested by Lord Mountbatten. This book also reveals how many of her illustrious acquaintances found themselves immersed in episodes so bizarre that they could have been written by Christie herself, including how the father of Miss Marple actress Margaret Rutherford committed murder and Poirot actor Peter Ustinov witnessed the assassination of a world leader. Agatha Christie's True Crime Inspirations is a fascinating addition to Christie literature, focusing on little-known parts of this iconic writer's life and career. From her early roots in Torquay to her infamous eleven-day disappearance, no stone is left unturned as the events of her own life are revealed to be every bit as intriguing as her world-renowned novels.