Unfinished Portrait: A Novel

Agatha Christie, famous for her ingenious crime novels, also wrote about crimes of the heart. Written under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, Christie’s tales of romantic suspense further explore the human psychology she was so intrigued by, freed from the expectations of her mystery fans.  

Bereft of the three people she has held most dear—her mother, her husband and her daughter—Celia is on the verge of suicide. Then one night on an exotic island, she meets Larraby, a successful portrait painter. Through a long night of talk, she reveals she is afraid to commit herself to a second chance at happiness with another person, yet is not brave enough to face life alone. Can Larraby help Celia come to terms with the past, or will they part ways, her outcome still uncertain? 

Unfinished Portrait is both poignant and personal, borrowing details from the author’s own life to create an unforgettable and bittersweet love story.