HarperCollins to Publish New Short Story Collection

HarperCollins U.K. announced plans to publish the first new Agatha Christie short story collection, authorized by Agatha Christie Ltd., to be penned by a variety of writers.

The deal for World English Language rights was negotiated by HarperCollins U.K. and William Morrow in the U.S. with Agatha Christie Ltd., along with representation for the contributing authors. The collection will be published simultaneously in the U.S. and U.K. in September 2022 by HarperCollins. Contributors include Naomi Alderman, Leigh Bardugo, Alyssa Cole, Lucy Foley, Elly Griffiths, Natalie Haynes, Jean Kwok, Val McDermid, Karen M. McManus, Dreda Say Mitchell, Kate Mosse and Ruth Ware.

“It feels very exciting to allow this formidable selection of authors the opportunity to come up with new adventures and mysteries for Miss Marple,” says James Prichard, chairman and chief executive officer, Agatha Christie Ltd and great-grandson of Agatha Christie. “It is time for readers to rediscover Marple and I personally cannot wait to read the resulting stories.”

The collection of 12 original short stories, all featuring Jane Marple, will introduce the character to a new generation. The authors included in the new publication will reimagine Christie’s Marple through their own perspective while staying true to a traditional mystery.

Miss Marple was first introduced in a story Christie wrote for The Royal Magazine in 1927 and made her first appearance in a full-length novel in 1930’s “The Murder at the Vicarage.” It has been 45 years since Agatha Christie’s last Marple novel, “Sleeping Murder,” was published posthumously in 1976.

“The opportunity to celebrate the brilliance of Miss Marple with a book of short stories – not unlike Agatha Christie’s inaugural “The Thirteen Problems” (aka The Tuesday Club Murders) – was irresistible, and our authors reflect the very broad and international appeal of the character,” says David Brawn, publisher of estates, HarperCollins.