This semi-academic discussion about Agatha Christie and her detectives is a brief introduction to the mystery genre. By comparing Christie to her male contemporaries it outlines the broad distinctions between what have come to be called “cozies” and “hard boiled” mystery stories. I like the comparisons to Shakespeare’s plots. And I’ve heard a few people say Christie was the inspiration for Cabot Cove’s Jessica Fletcher (although there is an argument for P.D. James, too).
Miss Marple vs. the Mansplainers: Agatha Christie’s Feminist Detective Hero
http://electricliterature.com/miss-marple-vs-the-mansplainers-agatha-christies-feminist-detective-hero/
sharon p. lynn 