Made in the Library – reimagining Christie covers
You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but with Agatha Christie it’s often where the mystery begins!
In celebration of our exhibition, our Living Knowledge Network team is inviting you to create your own cover, inspired by Christie’s works and themes.
Starting point ideas
Artists have interpreted her works in different styles and formats over time. However, there are recurring symbols, objects and locations that appear:
- Everyday objects with sinister implications (e.g. clocks, knives, teacups, poison bottles)
- Strong silhouettes and shadows, suggesting secrecy or hidden identities
- Isolated settings like country houses, trains, or islands
- Blood-red accents or splashes to signal violence
- Playing cards, chess pieces, or other symbols of strategy and deception
- Vintage typography or Art Deco-inspired fonts
- Fragmented or surreal compositions hinting at psychological twists
- Windows, keyholes, or doorways representing observation and mystery
- Figures turned away or partially obscured to create ambiguity.
You might want to use these, or existing book covers, as a starting point to your own artwork. You can draw on photography, illustrations, symbols, or other visual assets.
Some designs may be displayed on our online Made in the Library gallery and shared on our social media channels.
Ready to submit?
Please ensure you’ve read our terms and conditions to make sure your entry meets our requirements.
Once you’ve done that, send your entry to living.knowledge@bl.uk.
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Supported by
In collaboration with Agatha Christie Limited and The Christie Archive Trust.