This is the first time Agatha Christie created a character in a book based on a real person, and it was at the request of a friend - the character of Jazz's secretary was based on Belcher, a friend of Agatha Christie's ex-husband, who invited Agatha and her family to travel to South Africa. In the inscription, Agatha also dedicated the book to Belcher.
The book was later serialized in the "Evening News", earning Agatha Christie a considerable amount of income. When serialized, it was renamed "Anna the Adventurer".
