Agatha Christie has been my yardstick for measuring other mystery writers for years. That is not to say that there are not other excellent writers in this field, it is just that she has reigned over the rest. I was aware that she also had written under the name of Mary Westmacott and have searched on and off for a copy of any one of the six titles written as Westmacott. Interestingly enough, this small collection falls into the category of ‘romance’.
Recently, in a used book store, I lucked out. THE BURDEN tells of the conflict between an older sister’s sense of responsibility and a younger sister’s sense of freedom.
In the beginning, Laura is only interested in seeing the new baby sister, Shirley, dead. There are times when the reader thinks that she will be successful. After saving the infants life in a fire, Laura spends the rest of her life protecting her sister.
Shirley falls in love with a man who is very unsuitable and though Laura does everything to try to stop the marriage, the couple wed. After years of watching her husband go through her money and being embarrassed by his affairs, Shirley finds herself widowed. How her husband died and by whose hand is no big surprise.
Christie kept these books a secret for nineteen years. The reason that such a celebrated mystery author would create a separate and hidden identity is a bit of a mystery in itself. Maybe knowing something about Christie’s personal life gives us a clue.
These books seem to be intense with personal feelings. Agatha Christie was a very private woman. The Westmacott identity may have given her a chance to air some feelings about her youth and first marriage.
To me, THE BURDEN does not come close to the Agatha Christie that we expect. The author who is known for developing complex mystery plots here has given us a predictable story line. For Christie fans, you have to try a Mary Westmacott novel. If only to see a bit into this woman of mystery herself.
Post Script:
The term ‘romantic’ here is used in the best literary definition. It means more personal, more passionate, even more revealing of inner-feelings---not bodice-ripping sexy.
We have taken so many good words and put sexual meanings to them. To prostitute means to sell cheaply and the town of Intercourse, Pennsylvania was a place of commercial exchange, not what you are thinking. To keep this kid friendly, I will not do a long list of words that started out as perfectly good words that we have made dirty. Anyway, I think George Carlin has done that for us.
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