Mystery, intrigue, and deception…for children? Why not? For generations, the mysteries of sleuths such as Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew, and Cam Jansen have charmed and engaged young readers, who love to practice their own observation and deduction skills as they unravel a good whodunnit. It’s in that spirit that Marci Kay Monson’s picture book adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles was created. We recently had the chance to sit down with Marci and chat about her debut children’s book, her lifelong love of mystery literature, and the joy of connecting readers with books they love.
About Marci Kay Monson
Marci Kay Monson is an avid reader, crafter, and gardener. She received her BS in Technical Communications from Utah State University and a graduate certificate in publishing from the Denver Publishing Institute. She found a love for Agatha Christie when her book club read And Then There Were None and never looked back. She loves stories, bright colors, and a little bit of (cozy and fictional) murder. Raised in Japan, England, and Germany, she now lives in Layton, Utah.
Thank you so much for joining us, Marci! Let’s get started.
What was your inspiration behind adapting Christie’s first detective novel into a picture book for children?
I have long loved BabyLit books: classic novels turned into board books for babies. I thought it was a brilliant idea. For a long time, I kept thinking someone should do the same for Agatha Christie. After probably years of thinking this, I realized maybe I should be the one to do it. I love the idea of introducing kids to the classics early in life. I think that it will help them be more willing to take the original books on as they get older.
Why do you think young readers are so drawn to mystery stories and clever detectives?
I think there is an element of play about mystery stories. Kids are used to figuring out puzzles and imagining possibilities. When you solve a mystery, you’re unlocking a puzzle. Plus, there’s the element of being smarter than everyone else in the room and figuring things out first!
Those familiar with Christie’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles know it starts with a murder. How does your version work around a sensitive plot device such as this?
This was a question I had to answer from the very start. How do you write a murder mystery without really focusing on the murder? Thankfully, Christie’s books are considered “cozy mysteries” and rarely are they grizzly or gratuitous. In my book, I announce that Emily has died and, in the illustration, you see just her feet poking out from beneath her blanket. Then we kind of move on. From what I’ve noticed, kids don’t even seem bothered by the fact that she’s dead.
The artwork by illustrator Greg Paprocki in the book is stunning. Can you describe your collaborative process with one another as the project was in development?
Isn’t his work amazing? I was so lucky to have him picked as my illustrator, as I have long admired his work. I knew he would create a magical world to go along with my words. For me, the publisher picked the illustrator and I worked through my editor to give Greg art prompts. When I submitted my manuscript, I had written illustration prompts for each spread and tried to describe what I pictured for each scene. Greg then took that and created something even better. We didn’t work directly together, but my publisher was great at asking for my feedback, and I trusted both her and Greg to create something beautiful.
Do you have plans to adapt any more of Christie’s works? If so, which ones are at the top of your list?
Yes! The Mystery of the Blue Train will be published this September. I hope to continue on as long as my publisher will let me. I think I will stick with Hercule Poirot stories, but I’m excited about the possibility of branching out into Tommy & Tuppence or Miss Marple as well. Right now, I’m exploring what I should do for book three and looking at some of the short stories that feature Poirot. Maybe a Christmas book?
You also have a passion for connecting readers with compelling books on your Instagram page. Are there any books you’ve read recently that you think deserve more attention?
I love sharing what I’m reading. I think I read pretty widely, and I often stay away from the uber-popular books you see everywhere else. I love hearing back from someone that they picked up a book on my recommendation. I absolutely love reading middle grade books, and I think they are some of the best books out there right now. Adult readers often don’t even dip into them because they’re “for kids,” but they’re missing out on some great storytelling and worldbuilding. A few middle grade reads I’ve loved in the past year: The Grace of Wild Things, Not Nothing, The Last Cuentista, No Ordinary Thing, and Sisterhood of Sleuths.
Lastly, in honor of The Mysterious Affair at Styles, who are three people you’d love to invite to a (non-murdery) manor house party?
I think Agatha Christie would make a fascinating dinner guest, and of course, I’d want to ask her about her mysterious disappearance. I don’t know if I’d be brave enough to ask her if she approves of my book, though! Then I’ll round it out with two of my favorite fictional girl detectives: Nancy Drew and Myrtle Hardcastle. The stories those three could tell!
A huge thank you to Marci for taking the time to share her thoughts with us! Be sure to find her online at MarciKayMonson.com and follow her on Instagram. And, of course, don’t forget to add The Mysterious Affair at Styles to your family’s reading list, and preorder The Mystery of the Blue Train!
To check out more of our exclusive talks with authors, check out our entire One-on-One Interview series!
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