when considering the case of the disappearing detective novelist, it turns out to be useful to learn the lessons christie herself has taught us in her detective fiction and set down a list of questions and puzzling facts, just as hercule poirot might do. why did christie drive away from her home in sunningdale late at night ? what did she do in the next five or six hours? why did she abandon her car and other possessions by the road at newlands corner, just beyond guildford in surrey, at most an hour's drive from her home? is there some significance to the fact that newlands corner, where agatha's husband and miss nancy neele were staying for the weekend with friends? having abandoned her rather randomly packed travelling casa and coat in the car, hoe did she manage to make the journey to london and then to harrogate? how did she afford a new wardrobe and a room in an expensive hotel?