Born in Philadelphia in 1956 to property developer father and homemaker mother. Discovered crime fiction at age 16 after witnessing police investigation. Graduated from University of Florida with journalism degree. Worked as crime reporter at various newspapers before joining Los Angeles Times
Published in 1949 in US and UK, set in London in 1947. Christie considered it one of her favorite works. Title refers to family's unhealthy dependence on patriarch Aristide Leonides
Born in Liège in 1903 to Walloon and Flemish parents. Worked as journalist at Gazette de Liège from 1919. Published first novel Au Pont des Arches in 1921. Married painter Régine Renchon in 1923