Agatha Christie’s Best Books of All Time

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Since I have been getting more into mystery books recently, I felt it was time that I finally crack into the Queen of Mystery herself. Therefore, I am going to be ranking Agatha Christie’s best books so that we all know where to start on our reading journey.

Since creating the Barely Bookish podcast, I try to find the best book to represent the author when I am picking them up for the first time. Today, I am gonna share that reading journey with you.

Agatha Christie’s stories have been adapted into various forms of media including films, TV shows, and video games. Her incredibly memorable characters, Monsieur Poirot and Miss Marple, have different approaches to solving crimes and are well-known to readers.

Best Books by Agatha Christie

Most people know Agatha Christie for her whodunit style of writing that’s filled with suspense and mystery. Along the way, there always seem to be thousands of plot twists and red herrings that inspire many mystery writers. Plus, there’s always a memorable cast of characters that stay with you long after the book is over.

Murder on the Orient Express

When most people think of Agatha Christie, they usually think of Murder on the Orient Express. It showcases the iconic detective Hercule Poirot, who is tasked with solving a murder on a luxurious train from Istanbul to Calais. If you are looking for a classic cozy mystery with shocking twists, this is going to be the story for you.

This is also one of the books that has a film adaptation which came out in 2017, featuring actors such as Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot, Penélope Cruz as Pilar Estravados, Daisy Ridely as Miss Mary Debenham, and Willem Dafoe as Gerhard Hardman.

And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None is a popular novel by Agatha Christie. It involves a group of individuals who become stranded on an isolated island and are threatened by an unknown murderer. This book has been used for plot retellings time and time again, but every time I absolutely love it.

The original movie came out in 1945, featuring stars such as Barry Fitzgerald as Judge Francis J. Quincannon, Walter Huston as Dr. Edward G. Armstrong, Roland Young as Detective William Henry Blore, and June Duprez as Vera Claythorne.

There was also a mini-series that came out in 2015 featuring Burn Gorman as Detective Sergeant William Blore, Maeve Dermody as Vera Claythorne, and Charles Dance as Judge Lawrence Wargrave.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a crime novel by Agatha Christie that features beloved detective Hercule Poirot investigating the murder of one of his friends and neighbors, Roger Ackroyd. It is often regarded as one of Christie’s best works and is known for its numerous plot twists.

Much like other Agatha Cristie books, this is featured on Poirot! This episode came out in 2000 and features David Suchet as Hercule Poirot, Philip Jackson as Chief Inspector Japp, and Oliver Ford Davies as Dr. Sheppard.

Death on the Nile

Death on the Nile is another classic murder mystery that features Hercule Poirot. In this book, Poirot is supposed to be on vacation in Egypt when he becomes wrapped up in a murder case on a luxury cruise ship.

This book has once again become widely talked about because of the movie adaptation that came out in 2022, featuring Gal Gadot as Linnet Ridgeway, Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot, and Armie Hammer as Simon Doyle.

The ABC Murders

“The ABC Murders” is a murder mystery novel featuring a serial killer who chooses victims based on the alphabet. Hercule Poirot is tasked with solving the case and preventing further murders. During this series of murders, the killer is specifically leaving clues for Hercule Poirot to tempt him, making it that much juicier for the readers.

This was also turned into a mini-series in 2018, featuring John Malkovich as Hercule Poirot, Rupert Grint as Inspector Crome, and Tamzin Griffin as Alice Asher.

Hallowe’en Party

We are once again joined by one of our favorite fictional characters as Hercule Poirot investigates the mysterious death of a thirteen-year-old girl who left a Halloween party early.

This has also been included in the television adaptation, Poirot in 2010. In this episode, David Suchet is Hercule Poirot, Amelia Bullmore is Judith Butler, and Zoë Wanamaker is Ariadne Oliver.

Agatha Christie’s story collections have absolutely stood the test of time and have been reimagined by mystery writers time and time again. Her writing is more than just famous detective novels, it really transformed the mystery genre as a whole.

There is a reason that Hercule Poirot’s name is a household name, and it definitely has a lot to do with just how well-loved these famous mysteries are. I am excited to see just how many more movies we are going to get out of these best-selling books!