1. Introduction
Agatha Christie is one of the most beloved authors of all time, having sold over two billion books since her first novel was published in 1920. Her mysteries have captivated generations of readers and have been adapted for film and television multiple times. With a career spanning nearly five decades, Christie wrote over 66 novels, 150 short stories, and 19 plays. With such a vast body of work, it can be difficult to know where to start. Whether you’re a first-time reader or a long-time fan, this guide will help you decide which of Christie’s works to read first.
The most important thing to remember when reading Agatha Christie is that her works are not just mysteries, but also stories of human relationships and emotions. Christie’s characters are complex and often flawed, and her stories are as much about the relationships between characters as they are about solving the crime. As you read, pay attention to the relationships between characters and the emotions that drive their actions.
Agatha Christie’s works are timeless and her influence on the mystery genre is undeniable. Her stories will keep you guessing until the very end and will leave you wanting more. So, what order should you read Agatha Christie’s books in? Read on to find out!
2. Agatha Christie’s Most Famous Works
Agatha Christie is one of the world’s most successful and beloved mystery writers, having written over 66 novels and 14 short story collections. Her works have been adapted for film, television, and the stage, and her stories are known for their intricate plots, clever red herrings, and unexpected endings. Here is a list of Agatha Christie’s most famous works, in no particular order.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles
The Mysterious Affair at Styles is the first novel written by Agatha Christie, and is the first in the Hercule Poirot series. It tells the story of the murder of Emily Inglethorp and the subsequent investigation by Poirot. This novel introduced the world to the famous detective and his “little grey cells,” and is considered to be one of Agatha Christie’s best works.
And Then There Were None
And Then There Were None is one of Agatha Christie’s most popular and enduring works. It tells the story of ten strangers who are invited to a remote island, only to discover that they have been targeted by a mysterious killer. This novel is known for its suspenseful plot and its twist ending.
Murder on the Orient Express
Murder on the Orient Express is one of Agatha Christie’s most famous novels. It follows the story of Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, who must solve the murder of an American businessman on the Orient Express. This novel is well-known for its complex plot and its memorable characters.
The ABC Murders
The ABC Murders is one of Agatha Christie’s most thrilling novels. It follows the story of Hercule Poirot as he attempts to track down a serial killer who is targeting people whose names begin with the letters A, B, and C. This novel is known for its suspenseful plot and its clever use of the alphabet as a clue.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is one of Agatha Christie’s most famous novels. It tells the story of the murder of wealthy businessman Roger Ackroyd, and the subsequent investigation by Hercule Poirot. This novel is known for its complex plot and its unexpected twist ending.
The Murder at the Vicarage
The Murder at the Vicarage is the first novel in the Miss Marple series. It tells the story of the murder of Colonel Protheroe, and the subsequent investigation by Miss Marple. This novel introduced the world to the beloved amateur sleuth, and is known for its clever plot and its unexpected ending.
Five Little Pigs
Five Little Pigs is one of Agatha Christie’s most popular novels. It tells the story of a murder that occurred sixteen years prior, and the subsequent investigation by Hercule Poirot. This novel is known for its complex plot and its clever use of flashbacks.
The Hollow
The Hollow is one of Agatha Christie’s most famous novels. It tells the story of the murder of Dr. John Christow, and the subsequent investigation by Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. This novel is known for its suspenseful plot and its unexpected twist ending.
The Pale Horse
The Pale Horse is one of Agatha Christie’s most famous novels. It tells the story of a mysterious group of people who are suspected of being witches
3. Chronological Order
When it comes to reading Agatha Christie books, one of the best ways to do so is to read them in chronological order. This means that you should read them in the order in which they were published. This gives you the opportunity to experience the evolution of her writing style, as well as to appreciate the development of her characters and stories.
The first book Agatha Christie wrote was The Mysterious Affair at Styles, which was published in 1920. This is the first book in the Hercule Poirot series and introduces the beloved Belgian detective. This book is a great starting point for those who are new to Agatha Christie and want to experience her writing style.
The next book in the chronological order is The Secret Adversary, published in 1922. This book introduces the characters of Tommy and Tuppence, who go on to appear in many other Agatha Christie stories. This book is a great way to get to know these beloved characters and to experience a different type of detective story.
The third book in chronological order is The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, published in 1926. This book is considered to be one of Agatha Christie’s best and most famous works, and is often considered to be a classic of the mystery genre. This book introduces the character of Dr. Sheppard, who is a key character in many of Agatha Christie’s stories.
The fourth book in chronological order is The Big Four, published in 1927. This book is a Poirot novel and is the first book in which the beloved detective is accompanied by his friend and assistant, Captain Hastings. This book is a great way to get to know the dynamic between Poirot and Hastings, as well as to experience a different kind of mystery.
The fifth book in chronological order is The Mystery of the Blue Train, published in 1928. This book is a Poirot novel and is the first book in which the detective travels outside of England. This book is a great way to experience Poirot’s skills in a different setting.
The sixth book in chronological order is The Seven Dials Mystery, published in 1929. This book introduces the character of Lady Eileen ‘Bundle’ Brent, who is a key character in many of Agatha Christie’s stories. This book is a great way to get to know Bundle and to experience a different type of mystery.
The seventh book in chronological order is The Sittaford Mystery, published in 1931. This book is a Miss Marple novel and introduces the character of the beloved elderly detective. This book is a great way to get to know Miss Marple and to experience a different type of mystery.
The eighth book in chronological order is Peril at End House, published in 1932. This book is another Poirot novel and is the first book in which the detective is accompanied by the character of Captain Hastings. This book is a great way to get to know the dynamic between Poirot and Hastings, as well as to experience a different kind of mystery.
The ninth book in chronological order is Lord Edgware Dies, published in 1933. This book is another Poirot novel and introduces the character of Ariadne Oliver, who is a key character in many of Agatha Christie’s stories. This book is a great way to get to know Ariadne and to experience a different type of
4. Series Order
If you’re looking to dive into the world of Agatha Christie, one of the best ways to do so is to read her works in series order. This way, you can follow the characters as they develop and the mysteries unfold. Here are some of her most popular series and the order in which they should be read:
One of the most iconic characters in detective fiction, Hercule Poirot is a Belgian private detective who solves cases with his “little grey cells”. He first appeared in The Mysterious Affair at Styles and is featured in 33 novels, one play, and over 50 short stories. Here’s the order in which you should read the Poirot books:
- The Mysterious Affair at Styles
- The Murder on the Links
- Poirot Investigates
- The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
- The Big Four
- The Mystery of the Blue Train
- Peril at End House
- Lord Edgware Dies
- Murder on the Orient Express
- Three Act Tragedy
- Death in the Clouds
- The ABC Murders
- Murder in Mesopotamia
- Cards on the Table
- Dumb Witness
- Death on the Nile
- Appointment with Death
- Hercule Poirot’s Christmas
- Sad Cypress
- One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
- Evil Under the Sun
- Five Little Pigs
- The Hollow
- The Labours of Hercules
- Taken at the Flood
- Mrs. McGinty’s Dead
- After the Funeral
- Hickory Dickory Dock
- Dead Man’s Folly
- Cat Among the Pigeons
- The Clocks
- Third Girl
- Hallowe’en Party
Miss Jane Marple is an elderly spinster who solves mysteries using her keen powers of observation. She is featured in 12 novels and 20 short stories. Here’s the order in which you should read the Miss Marple books:
- The Murder at the Vicarage
- The Thirteen Problems
- The Body in the Library
- The Moving Finger
- A Murder is Announced
- They Do It with Mirrors
- A Pocket Full of Rye
- 4:50 from Paddington
- The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side
- A Caribbean Mystery
- At Bertram’s Hotel
- Nemesis
Tommy and Tuppence Beresford are an adventurous married couple who solve mysteries together. They are featured in five novels and one collection of short stories. Here’s the order in which you should read the Tommy and Tuppence books:
- The Secret Adversary
- Partners in Crime
- N or M?
- By the Pricking of My Thumbs
- Postern of Fate
- The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (short stories)
Reading Agatha Christie’s works in series order is a great way to get to know her characters and
5. Poirot and Miss Marple
Agatha Christie is best known for her two most famous characters, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Both of these beloved characters have been featured in numerous books, films, and television shows.
Hercule Poirot is a Belgian detective who is known for his “little grey cells” and his analytical mind. He is the protagonist in many of Christie’s novels, including The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, The ABC Murders, and Death on the Nile. Poirot has also been featured in a number of films, including Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile.
Miss Marple is an elderly spinster who is known for her sharp mind and her ability to solve mysteries. She is the protagonist in many of Christie’s novels, including A Murder is Announced, The Moving Finger, and A Pocket Full of Rye. Miss Marple has also been featured in a number of films, including Murder She Said and The Mirror Crack’d.
When reading Christie’s books, it is important to note that Poirot and Miss Marple appear in different novels. Therefore, if you are looking to read all of Christie’s books featuring these two characters, you will need to read them in two separate series.
If you are looking to read Poirot’s stories in chronological order, you should begin with The Mysterious Affair at Styles, which was Christie’s first novel featuring Poirot. Other notable novels in the series include The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, The ABC Murders, and Death on the Nile.
If you are looking to read Miss Marple’s stories in chronological order, you should begin with The Murder at the Vicarage, which was Christie’s first novel featuring Miss Marple. Other notable novels in the series include A Murder is Announced, The Moving Finger, and A Pocket Full of Rye.
In addition, there are a number of books that feature both Poirot and Miss Marple. These include The Thirteen Problems, in which Miss Marple and Poirot team up to solve a series of puzzles. There is also The Clocks, in which Poirot and Miss Marple join forces to solve a murder.
No matter which order you choose to read Christie’s books, you are sure to be captivated by the brilliance of her writing and the ingenuity of her plots. Whether you choose to read the novels featuring Poirot, Miss Marple, or both, you are sure to be entertained.
6. Conclusion
Agatha Christie is one of the most beloved authors in the world, and her works have been enjoyed by readers for over a century. With so many books to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which order to read them in. Fortunately, there are several options that can make the process easier. Reading them in chronological order allows readers to experience the stories as they were originally written. Alternatively, readers can choose to read the books in series order, allowing them to follow the development of characters and plotlines over a longer period of time. Finally, fans of Poirot and Miss Marple can enjoy the books featuring these characters in the order they were written. Ultimately, the best order in which to read Agatha Christie books is the one that works best for the individual reader.