In an unprecedented move, four of Agatha Christie’s renowned mystery novels are being adapted for a younger audience, incorporating the beloved Mr. Men and Little Miss characters.
These illustrated books, geared toward pre-school and primary school children, will feature Christie’s iconic detectives, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, as they team up with Roger Hargreaves’ cherished creations.
The first two titles, *Little Miss Marple: Muddle at the Vicarage* and *Mr. Poirot: Mischief on the Nile*, are set to launch on Thursday, with two additional installments slated for release in February.
James Prichard, Agatha Christie’s great-grandson, hailed the collaboration as a “dream come true.”
Prichard, who also serves as the chair and CEO of Agatha Christie’s estate, remarked: “These clever and very funny re-imaginings of my great grandmother’s stories, which include some of my favourite characters (in rather suspicious circumstances!), are bound to delight fans of both authors.”
*Little Miss Marple: Muddle at the Vicarage* sees the astute detective investigating a potential theft at the vicarage, prompted by Reverend Muddle’s suspicions.
With the assistance of Inspector Nonsense and Constable Silly, the amateur sleuth is determined to uncover the truth.
In *Mr. Poirot: Mischief on the Nile*, the famed Belgian investigator encounters Colonel Rush during a Nile cruise. Together, they embark on a quest to solve a mischievous mystery, aided by Mr. Tickle and his remarkably long arms.
These stories draw loose inspiration from Christie’s *Death on the Nile* and *Murder at the Vicarage*, but are reimagined with a delightful and humorous twist suitable for young mystery enthusiasts (and notably devoid of any actual murders).
Adam Hargreaves, son of the Mr. Men creator and a writer and illustrator for the series since 1998, expressed his enthusiasm: “It has been a real pleasure and an intriguing challenge to bring together the timeless mysteries of Agatha Christie with the playful world of the Mr Men and Little Miss.”
He added, “Agatha Christie’s iconic stories now have a new twist that neither she nor my father might have imagined!”
This partnership is part of Agatha Christie Limited’s anniversary program for the coming year, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the author’s death, the centennial of her Poirot novel *The Murder of Roger Ackroyd*, and the 50th anniversary of *Sleeping Murder*’s release.
While not the last book she penned, *Sleeping Murder* was the final novel published by Christie, appearing posthumously in 1976 and featuring Miss Marple.
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