The Book Show

What's so cosy about murder? Cosy crime is taking over our screens and books but it all began with Agatha Christie. So what makes a crime novel "cosy" and why does this genre have such strong appeal? We also debate whether Agatha Christie actually wrote cosy books.
Guest: crime writer Shamini Flint, author of the Inspector Singh Investigates series.
David Astle, the ABC's resident puzzle master has devised devious cryptic puzzles inspired by Agatha Christie's books. Each episode he'll provide a new clue and the answer will be the title of one of Agatha Christie's books.
Episode #3 Clue: Cryptically close
David Astle will be back next time with the answer, and a new mystery for you to solve. 
Email thebookshow@abc.net.au if you know the answer to the puzzle. 
Find out more about the five-part series here.

What's in a name? Florence Knapp reclaimed her own name for her novel The Names, but before that she had a crafting blog with the moniker "Flossie Teacakes".
As Florence Knapp describes to Claire Nichols, names are intrinsic to how we see ourselves and how others see us. The Names is about a woman's choice of name for her newborn son - should she call him Gordon, Julian or Bear? There are deep questions about what shapes us - nature versus nurture - and the 'what if' sliding door moments. Florence reveals her own sliding door moment when she moved to Australia as a child. 
The story also explores the power of the handmade, and if you feel like making something with your hands after reading The Names, look up Flossie Teacakes' Guide to Paper Piercing. 
This conversation discusses domestic violence, if you or anyone you know needs assistance call 1800Respect.
This event was recorded at the 2026 Sydney Writers Festival with Florence Knapp via satellite.
The Book Show interview with Florence KnappLove Agatha Christie mysteries? Dive into The Book Show's new series The Agatha Christie Murder Club as we solve mysteries about Christie, her books and legacy. Each week you'll have a chance to solve a cryptic puzzle devised by puzzle master, David Astle.
Download a printable Top 100 Australian Books 1-100 ranked.
Relive your favourite moments of the Top 100 Books countdown.

We have reconvened to solve another perplexing case: how does Agatha Christie plot the murder? We break down one of Agatha's most popular books — Murder on the Orient Express — to discover her tricks of the trade and learn about her commitment to the rules of fair play, her creative use of language clues and the closed circle mystery format.
Guest: Comedian and author Benjamin Stevenson (Australia) is the author of the Christie adjacent novels, including Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect.
David Astle, the ABC's resident puzzle master has devised devious cryptic puzzles inspired by Agatha Christie's books. Each episode he'll provide a new clue and the answer will be the title of one of Agatha Christie's books.
Episode #2 Clue: Crows above estate?
David Astle will be back next time with the answer, and a new mystery for you to solve. 
Email thebookshow@abc.net.au if you know the answer to the puzzle. 
Find out more about the five-part series here.

At the first meeting of The Agatha Christie Murder Club we investigate the life of Agatha Christie to find out what led to a lifetime of writing detective fiction. How did her failed ambitions as an opera singer force her to pivot? What really happened when she was the subject of her own missing persons case?
Also, Agatha Christie is officially the best-selling novelist of all time. She was the author of 66 detective novels, 14 short story collections and she wrote The Mousetrap, the world's longest running play. Did she revel in this fame or try to protect her privacy?
Laura Thomspon, author of Agatha Christie: A Mysterious Life, helps solve the case.
David Astle, the ABC's resident puzzle master has devised devious cryptic puzzles inspired by Agatha Christie's books. Each episode he'll provide a new clue and the answer will be the title of one of Agatha Christie's books.
Episode #1 Clue: Unsure hint? Delve on the rocks
David Astle will be back next time with the answer, and a new mystery for you to solve. 
Email thebookshow@abc.net.au if you know the answer to the puzzle. 
Find out more about the five-part series here.

Is there any genre RF Kuang can't master? Her work continually surprises readers and for her latest novel, Taipei Story, she explains why she's shifted gears to tell a quiet story infused with subtle humour.
Taipei Story follows a Chinese American student trying to connect with her heritage while uncovering some confronting family secrets. The novel's origins lie in RF Kuang's own experience of attending an intensive Mandarin course in Taiwan when her grandfather died. As she describes to Claire Nichols, as well as mourning his loss, his death was a profound blow to her search for a meaningful connection with her Chinese heritage and she struggled to find the right language to express her feelings. And she wondered, how much harder it would be for a younger person from the diaspora seeking a link to their heritage? 
Listen to Claire's interview with RF Kuang about Katabasis and Yellowface. 
Love Agatha Christie mysteries? Dive into The Book Show's new series The Agatha Christie Murder Club as we solve mysteries about Christie, her books and legacy. Each week you'll have a chance to solve a cryptic puzzle devised by puzzle master, David Astle.
Relive your favourite moments of the Top 100 Books countdown. Download a printable Top 100 Australian Books 1-100 ranked and also, the list from 101-200.