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In fact, Christie's first dog was named George other, “Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman”
Washington. Lining a staircase are lithographs by British history maven Lucy Worsley, is sched-
collected by Agatha's American grandmother. uled for release in September.
Walking through the home, there's a treasure And adaptations of Dame Christie's work re-
trove of family photos, paintings and souvenirs, main popular on stage and screen. Later this
all methodically cataloged by The National Trust year, a touring company is slated to produce
and which give the feeling that the house still is “The Mousetrap,” the longest-running play, in
occupied. In all, there are more than 12,000 cities throughout Britain on its 70th anniver-
items in the collection, from pre-historic arti- sary. One of Christie's other classics, “Witness
facts to modern paperbacks, and a complete col- for the Prosecution,” still packs in theatergoers
lection of Christie's first-edition novels. at London's Thames-side County Hall theater.
In the Winter Dining Room, prominentaly dis- A visit to Greenway, where two of Christie's
played, is the award presented to her in 1971, novels were set, reveals the person behind the
giving her the title of Dame Commander, Order world's best-selling mysteries.
of the British Empire. Conservators who went A frequent visitor, her late grandson, Mathew
through the house found this honor tucked at Prichard, captured the tone of Greenway,
the back of a shelf in a cupboard. “For a small boy it was paradise: plenty of
Memories in the Dining Room include the space, plenty of attention from a small and ador-
sumptuous dinner celebrations held here mark- ing afamily and the river with all the pleasure
ing her 60th, 70th and 80th birthdays. boats steaming up and down. It was English
For Americans, the next big surprise is the countryside at its best.”
frieze in the library that lines the upper wall. It And it still is.
depicts naval action by the American 10th Coast IF YOU GO
Guard Flotilla from Key West, Fla., to Greenway.
Operated by Britain's National Trust, Greenway
This goes back to the days in World War II,
shortly after Agatha and Max purchased Green- house and gardens is located on the River Dart
near Dartmouth, England. Between April and
way, when the estate was requistioned for mili-
October, a ferry opeates from Dartmouth to the
tary use by the American Coast Guard, then
Greenway pier. Those arriving by car need to
deployed in England. The unit went on to land book parking in advance. The nearby coastal city
American troops on Omaha Beach during the D-
of Toquay, where Agatha grew up, has frequent
day invasion.
rail service to London and elsewhere. Torquay
The room at Greenway served as a mess room offers several other sites presenting the life of
for the Coast Guard and the frieze was painted
Agatha Christie, from the beach where she
by Lt. Marshall Lee. When Agatha's family re-
nearly drowned to a garden featuring poisonous
turned to Greenway from London after the war, plants central to the plots of several of her
there was talk of removing the frieze, which she books.
nixed.
The Greenway estate offers a cafe, restrooms,
Years after her death in 1976, Agatha Christie
a shop and used bookshop, as well as extensive
appears to be as popular as ever. The Wall Street trails.
Journal reported recently that her books have
The estate is located on a steep slope over-
found a new crop of fans, under the headline
looking the river, so be prepared for some steep
“Young People Discover Hit New Writer –
Agatha Christie.” trails.
To plan a visit, including information on fees
Two new books examine Christie's life. One is
for admittance and on opening hours, consult
about her mysterious disappearance – “The
Christie Affair,” by Nina de Gramont, and an- nationaltrust.org.uk and type in Greenway under
“where do you want to go.”
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