The 20 best Agatha Christie books ranked

Agatha Christie Is one of the biggest titans in the detective and mystery literary genres, and the best Agatha Christie books combine her talent for weaving complex stories with multifaceted, realistic characters. Christie was born in 1890 and died in 1976 In her 85 years, she wrote 66 detective novels and 14 short stories, and was a central figure in the “Golden Age of Detective Fiction”.. Her stories are sometimes one-offs, their own contained universes, and often feature her now world-famous detective character, Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple.

Recorded by Guinness World Records as the best-selling author of all time, there are dozens of TV and movie adaptations of Agatha Christie’s books, including Kenneth Branagh’s. Murder on the Orient Express. Many modern detective, mystery and whodunit stories can trace their inspiration back to Christie. Only Sir Arthur Conan Doyle can be said to have contributed more to the genre, and he is not as prolific as Christie. Her stories like a puzzle box offer clues and hints that require attention to the story, and The best Agatha Christie books reward careful reading before the twist finale is revealed.

20

Sleeping Murder (1976)

Miss Marple’s Last Mystery

Sleeping murder was Miss Marple’s latest mystery case. It was published after Agatha Christie died in 1976 and over 30 years after she wrote the novel, which was set during World War II. The story follows Gwenda, a newcomer, who moves into a new home before her husband. When she gets there, she suddenly has a strange feeling that something is wrong. She then turns to Miss Marple to see if the house is haunted.

Although this sets things up as a horror novel, it is straight up a mystery novel that sees Miss Marple uncover a mystery from the past that Gwenda has suppressed. While she wrote the novel decades earlier and chose not to publish it, critics felt it was a great mystery and a fitting finale for the iconic Miss Marples. It was also released as a BBC movie in 1987.

19

The Murder on the Left (1923)

Poirot goes to France for a murder case

Released in 1923, The killing on the left was Agatha Christie’s second Hercule Poirot mystery. The story sends Poirot to northern France after receiving an emergency letter for help from South American millionaire Monsieur Renaud. however, When Poirot arrived, he found the man stabbed to death and thrown into an open grave on a golf course.Explain the book’s title. The man’s wife was found tied and trapped in her room.

The suspects are abundant, which is always important in mystery novels, including the wife, a bitter son, and a mistress. Poirot also clashed with the local police when he disagreed with who they arrested for the murder. An early novel by Agatha Christie, critics compared her to Arthur Conan Doyle, who was highly praised. The novel is also notable for Hastings falling in love and marriage.

18

The Body in the Library (1942)

Miss Marple solves a double murder

The body in the murder is a Miss Marple mystery novel published by Agatha Christie in 1942. The case involves the murder of two teenage girls which are similar in appearance. One was an 18-year-old dancer, and the other was a 16-year-old with acting aspirations. The mystery takes place mainly in a seaside resort hotel where Marple uncovers dark secrets that shock the entire community.

Critics praised the novel for its strength in showing how Miss Marple could match anything Hercule Poirot had before her (this was Miss Marple’s third mystery novel). The novel was an early example of female detectives in genre fiction and the idea that older women could solve crimes just as well as the most brilliant younger male detectives. Miss Marple would enjoy a long career, and this was an excellent example of her legacy.

17

The Pale Horse (1961)

A non-Marple/Poirot mystery novel

Although not as talking about her Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot mysteries, Agatha Christie has a solid list of novels that have nothing to do with the iconic detectives. In 1961, Christie wrote the detective novel The pale horseand has a historian named Mark Easterbrook as the main character. This fact makes it even rarer for Christie since her main character is not a detective but an average person.

The novel also has a supernatural tinge, which was not unheard of for Christie but is not something she focused on in most of her books. A woman gives her last confession to a Roman Catholic priest, who then dies after she tells him a terrible secret. Mark sets out to investigate the dead and discovers terrible secrets that put his life in danger. Critics praised The pale horse And said that Christie’s mysteries work no matter who the main character is.

16

The Hollow (1946)

The location of the book was inspired by actor Francis L. Sullivan House

The empty Is A country house mystery novel with Hercule Poirot as the detective. It was interesting for Christie because she was among Poirot’s mysteries for four years, so it was a welcome return for fans of the Belgian detective. But, interestingly, he didn’t appear in the novel until late in the story, and Christie said in her autobiography that his appearance was the one thing she didn’t like about the book.

The mystery surrounds Lady Angkatell, who invites Hercule Poirot to her estate thanks to her intrigue in the criminal mind. But when he comes in, over her dead husband, a woman with a gun, who is lying in blood. With good reviews, the book was adapted into a British TV movie in 2004 as part of Agatha Christie’s Poirot.

15

4.50 From Paddington (1957)

It was published as what Mrs. McGillicuddy saw

4.50 from Paddington is a Miss Marple story that sees Elspeth McGillicuddy going to visit her friend, the famous lover Slouch. On the way, Alspes’ train passes another one, and she witnesses a murder that takes place on the second train. It is an exciting and twisting story that sees Miss Marple uses her own housekeeper as an undercover agent To search for clues in a suspect’s home.

however, 4.50 from Paddington is not as logically sound as many of her other stories, and some of Miss Marple’s “discoveries” feel more accidental than earned. The book received positive reviews, however Critics felt that Miss Marple lacked direct involvement, and others did the heavy lifting. It was still successful, and it was adapted into a movie in 1961 called Murder, she said. It was also part of Both the BBC Miss Marple series in 1987 and the ITV Marple series in 2004.

14

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1921)

Christy eventually named her home after Styles

Hercule Poirot is arguably Agatha Christie’s greatest invention, a Belgian detective with a stiff mustache who is punctual, cheeky and single-handedly capable of solving even the most perplexing crimes. One of the standout characters in the mystery genre, Hercule Poirot has been played by many actors over the years, all eager to portray the recognizable, hyper-intelligent detective. Poirot’s first appearance is in The Mysterious Affair in StylesWhich is also Christie’s first novel.

It’s a simple murder mystery in a country home, Alternative by the later standards of Christie’s novels, but it features many elements that would become staples of the modern mystery genre. Including a remote, picturesque setting. This book launched Christie’s career and helped create one of the greatest literary detectives since Sherlock Holmes.

The blurb in the first edition of the book reads:

The novel was originally written as the result of a bet that the author, who had never written a book before, could not compose a detective novel in which the reader would not be able to “spot” the murderer, even though he had access to the Novel. Same clues as the detective. The author certainly won her bet…

13

Murder in the Vicarage (1930)

Miss Marple appeared in Christie’s short stories before this novel

The murder in the vicarage Features the first novel appearance of the lovelorn detective Miss Jane Marple. Miss Marple is sly, sly and prone to noticing comments in conversation that inevitably lead her to a crime’s solution. In this story, Miss Marple solves the case of a murdered churchwarden. The side stories and characters pepper the book, but the main plot is intriguing and surprisingly modern.

Self-assured and witty, Miss Marple has been played by several famous actresses. She is characterized as a gossip in The murder in the vicarageBut later stories show a softening of her character. Christie herself isn’t completely sold on Mus Marple’s first mystery. “I’m reading Murder in the Vicarage now, I’m not as happy with it as I was at the time“, she wrote in Agatha Christie: An Autobiography. “It did, I think, Too many characters, and too many sub-plots. But in any case, the main plot is intact.”

12

Peril At End House (1932)

It was adapted into a graphic novel in 2008

in Danger at the end of the houseHercule Poirot and two other Christie mainstays, Arthur Hastings and Chief Inspector Japp, all converge on a vacation home in Cornwall where Magdala “Nick” Buckley insists they protect her from an impending murder attempt. Christy uses simple tricks and red herrings to hide the killer in plain sight, and The twist at the end is as ingenious as any she’s produced. The melodrama between Nick and the other resort members can be tiresome, but the core plot and clues are all of ​​Christie’s most well-written.

Critics praised the novel when it was released, with praise for the plot and twists. Danger at the end of the house was an immediate success and turned into a West London stage play only eight years after its publication. It was also adapted for television as part of Agatha Christie’s Poirot in 1990 and was actually adapted into a graphic novel in 2008.

11

Crooked House (1949)

It was not adapted for the first time until 2008 for BBC Radio 4

Crooked house Follows multiple generations of the Leonides family, who all live together under wealthy patriarch Aristide. After Aristide was found dead from poisoning, each of his family members was considered a suspect. A fiance to one of the grandchildren, Charles Hayward, serves as the protagonist and narrator.

It’s a suspenseful and thrilling tale with plenty of red herrings to keep readers guessing. The end is a wildly unexpected and sad finale That does not have any one person crack the case. Instead, the true killer reveals himself, but not before the Leonides family is permanently fractured. Critics praised the novel, as it was an improvement on the previous release (Taken in the flood) and introduced a new twist to the finish that was fresh and unique. A movie adaptation arrived in 2017 starring Glenn Close, Gillian Anderson, Max Irons and more.

10

Endless Night (1967)

The title comes from a poem by William Blake

Christie almost exclusively wrote crime and mystery fiction, however Endless night Could be the further she stretched the conventions of the genre. While Endless night Is still primarily a mystery, the romance and gothic horror elements create a unique tone. A young working-class man, Michael Rogers, dreams of a home and a loving wife. When he meets a rich woman named Greta, who is tired of her affluent lifestyle, they commit crimes that ultimately end with Michael imprisoned.

Endless night is a sinister and dark novel, with twists coming even after it seems that the story has pulled all its tricks. The ending will make a reader recontextualize the entire plot. The novel received almost universally positive reviews, with praise for Christie for changing her style and still delivering a page-turning mystery thriller. Endless night Was adapted into a movie in 1972 starring Hayley Mills.

9

A Murder Is Announced (1950)

It was adapted for television in the US. US, UK, France, South Korea and Japan

Most Agatha Christie novels introduce the characters and setting first before moving into the inevitable murder mystery. A murder has been announced instead introduces the story’s conflict in the very first pages, As a notice is placed in a newspaper indicating the time and place a murder will soon occur. It’s a very streamlined and tight read, where all the clues are clearly presented without giving too much away.

Miss Marple again takes the case in this story after the Second World War, where food stamps and slow government operations actually participate in the plot, unusual for Christie whose stories are not often connected to an exact time. One of the most popular Miss Marple stories, and one of the best critically reviewed, it has been adapted into almost every Miss Marple series, even versions in France, South Korea and Japan.

8

Evil Under the Sun (1941)

It was adapted into a movie in 1982

Poirot goes on vacation in Devon, hoping for a quiet and relaxing time in Evil under the sun. However, a beautiful and widely disliked boarder at his resort, Arlena, is soon found dead. This evil act pulls the famous detective into the plot to help solve the case and understand the reasons for the murder.

It’s an unusual setting for Christie, away from the countryside and dinner parties. The mystery in Evil under the sun is a smartly written and complex puzzle that shows Christy at her most ingenious. Every detail is important, and she manages to draw the reader into one’s suspicion before completely flipping expectations. This is Hercules at his best, with the detective leading the suspects and the reader around until he discovers the guilty party in the end. The novel was made into a 1982 movie starring Peter Ustinov as Poirot.

7

Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case (1975)

It was adapted as the series finale of Agatha Christie’s Poirot

Christie’s last published novel before she passed, Curtain: Poirot’s last case is also the last appearance of her independent detective. Poirot and Hastings return to the same house of The Mysterious Affairs in Styles Over 30 years later, and the story is of the same one-location murder mystery style that made Christie famous. Together, Poirot and Hastings solve the murders of five different people in a fresh and original novel that is one of the best of her late career.

It is a fitting and touching farewell to Poirot, whose last words in literature are, “Goodbye, dear Amy.” Interestingly, this is not a later Christie novel, as she wrote it in the 1940s and waited until she knew she was coming to the end of her career to ensure that Poirot got a fitting send-off at the end. One of the Best-selling books from 1976, ending her career on a high.

6

The ABC Murders (1936)

It was adapted into a manga by Yasushi Hoshino in 2015

Poirot, Hastings and Chief Inspector Japp are reunited to uncover the identity of the ABC killer in The ABC murders. The serial killer picks his victims based on their namesSelecting those with alliterative names starting with AA There are various false conclusions and erroneous suspects, but Christy manages all her different story threads into one complete and cohesive narrative.

This is one of her hardest stories to solveBut once the end is revealed, it is clear how well she placed the clues and hints before the story’s finale. Critics at the time praised the novel for its ingenuity and creativity of mystery and plot. It was adapted into a 1965 film starring Tony Randall as Hercule Poirot and then again as a 2012 Malayalam film called Grandmaster. It is also being called a 2018 BBC TV miniseries The ABC murders.

5

Five Little Pigs (1942)

It was also published under the title Murder in Retrospect

Five little pigs is about A murder that takes place over a decade before the story begins. Caroline Krale was convicted of her husband’s murder and died in prison. However, her daughter, Carla LeMarchant, insists to Hercule Poirot that her mother is innocent and the culprit is one of five people who were also present at the time of the murder, whom he nicknames the “Five Little Pigs”.

The crime is told from five different perspectives, and it’s a testament to Christie’s writing that she manages to make each retelling feel fresh and engaging. The satisfying solution to the murder is also moving, as Carla realizes that the truth will not free her mother and the real culprit will not be caught. The novel received high praise when it was released, with critics commenting on how Christy can keep things mysterious and satisfying when she finally uncovers the truth.

4

Death on the Nile (1937)

It has stage, television, film, radio, graphic novel and computer game adaptations

Death on the Nile Goes Hercule Poirot on holiday, taking a steamship cruise on the Nile River in Africa. Poirot discovers that one of his companions on the steamer is a murderer and must quickly figure out who it is before more passengers are killed. Beyond the intricate story that resolves into an exciting and unexpected finale, Death on the Nile Features some of Christie’s strongest character writing.

With a large cast trapped together, Christy manages to paint each character as a separate and unique person who stands out on their own. Reviews at the time were positive, with critics praising Christie’s plot and ability to hide the mystery until she chooses to reveal it. The book has also been adapted into two successful movies, one in 1978 with Peter Ustinov and another in 2022 by Kenneth Branagh.

3

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926)

This story was originally serialized in the London Evening News

Dr. Jacob Shepherd tells The murder of Roger AckroydA Poirot novel widely regarded as one of Christie’s greatest books. The story follows the murder of the eponymous Roger Ackroyd, who was killed by his own dagger. Poirot uncovers the plot to kill Mr. Ackroyd, and the twists and turns to get to the final reveal are carefully inserted throughout the novel. Each character appears to have their own motivations and secrets, however The revelation of the true killer is a massive twist that completely changes the trajectory of the story. In a way that has not been seen before in mystery novels.

The British Crime Writers Association voted The murder of Roger Ackroyd The best crime novel ever written (via The Independent). The novel also has a shocking ending that ties up the whole mystery in what remains a controversial moment. It was adapted in 1931 as the movie alibi, The first sound film based on a story by Agatha Christie.

2

Murder on the Orient Express (1934)

In addition to screen adaptations, the story has also been adapted for a board game, computer game, and video game.

Murder on the Orient Express Finds Poirot traveling from Istanbul to London on the titular train. While aboard, a passenger, Samuel Ratchett, was killed after receiving death threats. Every other passenger on the Orient Express is a suspect, and Poirot discovers that the web of conspiracy is much larger than he could have imagined. With the train stopped midway in a snowstorm, there is no way out, creating a perfect location for Hercule Poirot to take on one of his greatest mysteries.

This is the story that other mystery stories are compared to and the improbable ending is not unbelievable thanks to how concisely written the plot and characters are. One of Christie’s most famous novels, Murder on the Orient Express is adapted across many artistic mediums. It was famously made into a movie in 1974 with Sidney Lumet as the director and Albert Finney as Poirot and again in 2017 with Kenneth Branagh taking on both directorial duties and starring as Poirot.

1

And Then There Were None (1939)

It is the most adapted of Christie’s novels around the world

The best-selling crime novel of all time, with over 100 million copies sold (by The Guardian), And then there are none (titled in the US) Ten little Jews) is Christie’s best and most notable book. An unknown host invites a group of eight strangers to an island, and once there, someone kills them off one by one. This book is not a Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple murder mystery, but that is because it is a very different case, where there would be no survivors in the end.

Endlessly parodied and paid homage to, And then there are none is the definitive mystery chamber story. Agatha Christie’s Magnum opus is tightly written, ingenious, spooky, and has clues and pitfalls that feel earned. It is full of shocks and surprises from the beginning, and many mystery and crime thrillers owe thanks to this iconic story. “I wrote this book after a huge amount of planning, and I was happy with what I made of it.“Christie wrote in her autobiography.”It was clear, straightforward, baffling, and yet had a perfectly reasonable explanation.“