Christie first thought of writing the book in 1938 and wrote to her literary agent, Edmund Cork, in July of that year, suggesting the project and telling him that it would be "not at all serious or archaeological".Morgan, Janet. Agatha Christie, A Biography. (p. 216) Collins, 1984 In the event, she wrote the book during the Second World WarChristie, Agatha. An Autobiography. (p. 466). Collins, 1977. after her husband, Max Mallowan, had been posted to Egypt with the British Council in February 1942Morgan. (p. 235). and she was living alone in London. She occupied her hours by working in a hospital dispensary, using the knowledge she had gained doing the same job in the First World War working two full days, three half-days and alternate Saturday mornings and, "The rest of the time, I wrote."Christie. An Autobiography. (p. 489).
