The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie - 1942

London: The Crime Club, Collins, 1942. First edition. Cloth. Very Good/Good. 8" by 5.5". None. An uncommon first U.K. edition, first impression of Agatha Christie's exciting Miss Marple whodunit, complete with the original dust wrapper. When the maid at Gossington Hall rouses Mrs Bantry from sleep by claiming that there is a body in the library, Colonel Arthur Bantry indeed discovers a dead young woman on his library rug...It's up to Miss Marple to suss out what horror has occurred.One of the most renowned crime writers of all time, Agatha Christie (1890-1976) was the author of some sixty-six detective novels and fourteen short story collections. The majority of her works followed the well-loved Belgian detective Hercule Poirot or spinster sleuth Miss Marple.From the library of Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie, an English socialite and the illegitimate granddaughter of King Edward VII. She was featured by Cecil Beaton in 'The Book of Beauty'. Amongst her circle were Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, Coco Chanel, Salvador Dali, Winston and Clementine Churchill and Nancy Mitford.A prior owner has used a pencil to cross out other Christie works they have collected.The first U.K edition, first impression of this work, with the original clipped dust wrapper. Listing the author's prior works up to 'N or M?'. In the publisher's original full cloth binding with a clipped dust wrapper. Externally generally smart, with some wear to the head and tail of the spine, which is faded to the tail. Dust wrapper has loss to the tail of the spine and some chipping to the head as well as the bottom corner of the front board, which is worn. Ownership inscription to the front endpaper. Internally, generally firmly bound, with a strain to pages 144 and 145. Pages are bright and clean bar the odd mark. A prior owner has used a pencil to cross out other Christie works they have collected. Very Good