Swinging USA: New York (Part 1)

Swinging USA: New York (Part 1)

Author: The Swinging Christies June 1, 2025 Duration: 1:01:22

Mark and Gray take Manhattan in the first in this very special miniseries recorded in the USA. In New York, Gray and Mark discuss Agatha’s 1960s connections to America, plus their discoveries in papers held at the Princeton University Archive.

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The Swinging Christies is a Christie Time project by Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown.

Next episode: Part 2 of Swinging USA - we go to Washington DC!


00:00:00 - Opening titles

00:00:40 - Introductory chat at Heathrow airport

00:03:57 - Agatha and America in the 1960s at Central Park

00:32:38 - Discoveries in the Princeton Archive

00:55:49 - Wrap up, Schubert Archive, and off to Washington DC!

00:58:30 - How to get in touch

00:59:41 - Closing titles

01:00:12 - Coda

Solutions revealed! - Cat Among the Pigeons, The Clocks, The Pale Horse, At Bertram’s Hotel


The Swinging Christies: Agatha Christie in the 1960s might seem like a contradiction, but that’s the fascinating territory this podcast explores. Hosted by Dr Mark Aldridge and Gray Robert Brown, it’s a deep and often surprising look at how the Queen of Crime’s later work intersected with a decade of radical change. Forget the stereotypical image of a cosy, unchanging writer; here, we examine how Christie’s stories from that era engaged with shifting attitudes towards youth culture, morality, and social upheaval. Each episode digs into a specific novel or theme, unpacking the subtle-and sometimes not so subtle-ways her writing reflected or reacted to the world of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. It’s a rad journey through time that treats her work with serious scholarly insight while embracing the vibrant spirit of the period. You’ll come away from this podcast with a completely refreshed perspective on one of history’s most prolific authors, hearing her familiar plots through a new, decidedly swinging lens.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 38

The Swinging Christies: Agatha Christie in the 1960s
Podcast Episodes
6. Drugs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:42
Tune in to the sixth episode of The Swinging Christies, drop everything and peace out! Mark and Gray examine the references to drugs in Agatha Christie's 60s novels, plays, films and short stories. Purple hearts for ever…
5. Horror [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:59
In the fifth episode of The Swinging Christies, Mark and Gray spook each other by discussing everything from contemporary fears to olde folklore in the 1960s Agatha Christies. You can find us on Instagram (as well as X)…
4. Fashion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:53
Episode four of The Swinging Christies sees Mark and Gray get all togged up and browse down Carnaby Street, as they examine style, art and Agatha Christie. You can find us on Instagram (as well as X) @Christie_Time. We a…
3. Money [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:29
In the third episode of The Swinging Christies, Mark and Gray turn the spotlight on class, inequality, society... all themes that are present and correct in Agatha Christie! You can find us on Instagram (as well as X) @C…
2. Rock 'n' Roll [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:33
It's the second episode of The Swinging Christies, and Mark and Gray are grooving to the music of the 1960s. Featuring brand new, exclusive insight from Agatha Christie's grandson, Mathew Prichard, himself! You can find…
1. Sex [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:29
It's the first full episode of The Swinging Christies! And Mark and Gray are discussing hot topics around sex and the 1960s. How does Agatha Christie write about gender, queerness, feminism, and how often? The answer is:…
Introduction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:36
In the introductory episode of The Swinging Christies, Mark and Gray explain why they are embarking on his project to highlight the work of Agatha Christie in the 1960s! You can find us on Instagram (as well as X) @Chris…