The 12 Best Agatha Christie Books Ranked

Agatha Christie is so closely linked with the realms of mystery, detectives, and intriguing plots that a literary prize for crime writing bears her name. Her writings, often referred to as “cozy mysteries,” sparked a genre that can be generally described as stories without explicit sexual content, excessive gore, or unnecessary violence, and not falling under the hard-boiled category according to the Agatha Award organizers. Any novel winning an Agatha is likely worth your attention, but what about Christie’s books? They are definitely worth checking out!

Starting with Agatha Christie’s vast collection of groundbreaking novels can be a bit overwhelming due to her impressive body of work that she left behind when she passed away in 1976 at the age of 85. To help guide you, we have compiled a list of her top 12 books based on critical acclaim and the opinions of our writers. These are considered her finest works, so you can’t go wrong by starting with any of these:

1. “And Then There Were None”
2. “Murder on the Orient Express”
3. “The Mystery of the Blue Train”
4. “Death on the Nile”
5. “The ABC Murders”
6. “Evil Under the Sun”
7. “Cards on the Table”
8. “Murder in Mesopotamia”
9. “Peril at End House”
10. “Three Act Tragedy”
11. “The Hound of Baskervilles” (co-written with William Arthurs)
12. “The Mousetrap”

12. The Man in the Brown Suit

Agatha Christie is renowned for creating captivating detectives like Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, Tommy, and Tuppence throughout her prolific writing career. One of her lesser-known characters is Colonel Race, who made brief appearances in a few books, frequently functioning as a supporting character for Poirot. Interestingly, he was the main protagonist in only two novels, one of which was “The Man in the Brown Suit,” published in 1924, making it the fourth book penned by Christie.

As a devoted reader, let me share with you a captivating tale where I find myself immersed in the life of Johnnie Race, a veteran Army Colonel who once served MI5 before stepping away from government service. In this engrossing narrative, Johnnie crosses paths with Anne Beddingfeld, a working-class girl who stirs his heart instantly. However, little does Johnnie know, Anne’s thoughts are far from the ordinary – her focus is on solving a murder. The victim was a man she encountered at Hyde Park Corner tube station during her impromptu getaway. Tragically, he met his end by electrocution after falling onto the rails.

In the novel, Anne, who serves as the narrator, is taken aback when Scotland Yard declares the death an accident. She’s the only witness to a man in a brown coat scrutinizing the deceased man, and the only one who saw the cryptic note he left: “17-122 Kilmorden Castle.” The truth eventually surfaces on a cruise, but Anne doesn’t realize that Johnnie is also investigating this matter upon Scotland Yard’s request. This thrilling tale is filled with an intriguing mystery and well-crafted characters, making it a compelling addition to our recommended reads.

11. Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?

Multiple times, Agatha Christie transformed leisurely golf games into intriguing murder mysteries, with one of the most notable instances being “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?” published in 1934. Christie’s passion for golf, a pastime she shared with her first husband, Archibald Christie, is evident here. However, it’s the captivating central characters and the meticulously crafted mystery that truly make this exceptional novel stand out on our list. It offers an engaging mental challenge that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. So, what’s the story about?

Bobby Jones isn’t known as the world’s greatest golfer, so when he hits his ball off a cliff during a game, it’s not unexpected. However, what is shocking is what he discovers when he goes to retrieve the ball – a man is injured and bleeding on the rocks below. Bobby comforts him, but before he dies, the man whispers, “Why didn’t they ask Evans?” This question puzzles Bobby, leading him and his friend Frankie on a quest to identify the murderer of the mystery man and find the elusive Evans. This investigation eventually puts their lives in danger.

10. Evil Under the Sun

Among Agatha Christie’s renowned Hercule Poirot tales, “Evil Under the Sun,” published in 1941, has garnered popularity due to multiple screen adaptations. This story finds our Belgian detective on England’s south coast, intending to relax at an island off the Devon coast during his vacation. However, peace is short-lived as a murder occurs – one Poirot had foreseen. Upon arrival at the resort, he quickly observes a budding extramarital relationship between former actress Arlena Marshall and Patrick Redfern. When Arlena’s lifeless body is discovered in a cove, strangled by an unknown culprit, Poirot swiftly takes charge of the investigation.

As Poirot delves further into this intriguing enigma, it only grows more convoluted with an increasing pool of potential suspects. Just like in Christie’s other works, almost every character has a motive for the victim’s demise. What makes “Evil Under the Sun” stand out is the masterful misdirection she uses. There are plenty of red herrings scattered throughout, and even the most experienced murder mystery reader might struggle to unmask the killer and decipher their method. This is an engrossing novel that undoubtedly deserves a spot on our recommended list.

9. By the Pricking of My Thumbs

Choosing just one Tommy and Tuppence mystery to suggest can be challenging as the series chronicles their journey from their youth to semi-retirement alongside the growing narrative. However, “By the Pricking of my Thumbs” is exceptional because it effectively introduces the characters without confusing readers, even for those diving into their adventures for the first time. While starting with their debut story, “The Secret Adversary,” might be tempting, this novel delves into the depths of their relationship and offers a poignant commentary on the importance of not underestimating the elderly, making it an essential read for readers of all ages.

As Thomas Beresford, gamer by day and husband to my partner Prudence (Tuppence), we find ourselves in a puzzling predicament during our visit to my Aunt Ada’s retirement home. In one of our conversations with a fellow resident, I overhear a chilling remark, “Was it your child? The one hidden behind the fireplace.” This eerie statement hangs unresolved as Aunt Ada passes away the next day. Initially, it seemed like an ordinary death, but the more Tuppence and I delve into the lives of the home’s residents, the murkier things get. Suspicious deaths from poisoned mushroom stew, whispers of occult killings involving young children – there’s a dark secret lurking within these walls, and we sense that they don’t want us to uncover it.

8. Mrs McGinty’s Dead

In the mystery novel “Mrs McGinty’s Dead,” there’s no question about who the victim is; Mrs. McGinty has been killed at the start of the story. A man named James Bentley has been arrested and convicted, but Hercule Poirot gets involved because Superintendent Spence doubts Bentley’s guilt. With few employment opportunities and staying at Mrs. McGinty’s boarding house when she was murdered, Bentley seems like the obvious suspect, having received a small reward of thirty pounds. However, as Poirot investigates in Broadhinny, where both Bentley and Mrs. McGinty resided, it becomes apparent that her murder is not as straightforward as it initially appears.

This story is a refreshing burst of tart, crisp air, brimming with social satire that captures life in small-town, rural England. It’s not only an engaging mystery but also a delightful journey. Agatha Christie had a natural knack for wit, and this charming caper will make you laugh as frequently as it leaves you on the edge of your seat. In this tale, detective Poirot teams up with crime novelist Ariadne Oliver (whom some of Christie’s characters are loosely based on, with Ariadne having a strong resemblance to herself, according to her own admission). Mrs. McGinty, the victim in question, is one of Poirot’s most intriguing cases, and it stands among his finest outings. In “Mrs. McGinty’s Dead,” you will find one of the most captivating mysteries ever presented to Poirot’s keen intellect. Tina Fey portrayed Ariadne Oliver in “A Haunting in Venice,” though her characterization varies from the book version.

7. The Murder at the Vicarage

In Agatha Christie’s work, the seemingly ordinary detective Jane Marple has a knack for uncovering hidden corruption in her tranquil hometown of St. Mary Mead, a quaint English village. This talent is on full display in “The Murder at the Vicarage,” a compelling read for fans of cozy mysteries. Here, Christie places Miss Marple against a tightly-knit community who are all trying to hide the fact that among them lies the murderer of the unpopular Colonel Protheroe, the local churchwarden. The Reverend Leonard Clement struggles to maintain peace in St. Mary Mead due to the colonel’s consistently disruptive behavior.

Essentially, Clement serves as the spiritual guide at the vicarage, whereas Protheroe enforces law and order, doubling as the magistrate. This makes him quite unpopular, including among Clement. One night, he publicly states that anyone who killed Colonel Protheroe would be doing a favor to society at large. Not long after, Protheroe is found dead at his writing desk with a bullet wound to the back of his head. A multitude of suspects arise in this case, and it’s possible Clement could be one, given the upcoming revelation of financial inconsistencies in the parish accounts. Another potential culprit is Lawrence Redding, who is involved romantically with Anne, Protheroe’s wife. As Miss Marple investigates further, she uncovers that quite a few individuals have motives to see Colonel Protheroe dead.

6. Towards Zero

1944’s “Towards Zero” presents a captivating mystery that continues to intrigue readers today. A group assembles at a coastal cliffside residence, Gull’s Point, which is owned by Lady Tressilian. Despite her bedridden state, she invites Nevile Strange, the ward of her late husband, to spend the summer. Nevile, now a renowned tennis player, has recently married Kay, but he also extends an invitation to his former spouse, Audrey, creating an intricate web of relationships at the gathering.

Lady Tresilian dislikes Nevile extending invitations to both his ex-wife and current wife for the gathering, yet she accommodates them regardless. Unknowingly, she’s hosting a volatile mix of unresolved romantic tension and greedy financial desires that eventually culminate in murder. One intriguing aspect of “Towards Zero” is that the narrative primarily unfolds in the build-up to the killing, which explains its title. This aspect was particularly appealing to Agatha Christie during her writing process. In her own words, she once expressed, “I found it fascinating to develop a story where characters from various backgrounds converge towards a murder, rather than starting with the murder and working backward.

5. Crooked House

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but sing praises for Agatha Christie’s 1949 masterpiece, “Crooked House.” This captivating tale showcases a family dynamic that is nothing short of knotted, an assassin whose identity will leave you utterly astonished, and plot twists darker than the night. If you’ve had the pleasure of watching the 2017 film adaptation featuring Glenn Close, Max Irons, and Stefanie Martini, then you’re already aware that “Crooked House” delivers a gut-wrenching climax. The narrative refuses to pull any punches, earning its place among Christie’s most indelible stories. It centers around the dysfunctional Leonides family, and while our protagonist, Charles Hayward, is willing to dive into this chaos to win over his beloved granddaughter Sophia – whom he met and fell for at the conclusion of World War II – I must warn you: this story leaves no hearts unscathed.

In London, Charles and Sophia meet again following the death of Sophia’s grandfather, Aristide Leonides. Sophia believes that Aristide may have been murdered, and the prime suspect is his much younger wife, Brenda Leonides. Another potential culprit is Laurence Brown, a tutor to Sophia’s younger siblings who has allegedly been involved with Brenda. The Leonides family is filled with tension, desire, and insanity. As Charles tries to uncover the truth about Aristide’s death, their romantic tale remains precariously poised.

4. The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side

1962’s “The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side” revolves around Miss Marple, who is recuperating from an accidental fall. In this phase, she discovers that Marina Gregg, an actress, has moved into the town of St. Mary Mead. At a glamorous charity event hosted by Marina for the town’s elite, a resident named Heather is fatally struck after excitedly discussing a past encounter with the actress.

Sometimes, authors draw ideas from actual events. For instance, Agatha Christie’s novel “The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side” was partially influenced by the misfortune of actress Gene Tierney. She contracted German measles after attending the Hollywood Canteen, which resulted in her daughter being born with disabilities. This information comes from Dan Callahan of the British Film Institute. The tragedy was made worse when a fan confronted Tierney, revealing that she had violated her German measles quarantine to meet Tierney at the Hollywood Canteen.

Regardless of the chilling turn of events that intensify the terror in Agatha Christie’s novel “The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side”, it would remain a captivating narrative of relentless vengeance and a gripping enigma. Contrary to the usual perception, Miss Marple stories are often associated with comfort; this one, however, is far from it. Yet, our dear Jane Marple rises to the occasion in this somber, tense story, proving to be an unwavering symbol of justice. This tale stands out among other Marple mysteries, as readers might find themselves unintentionally sympathizing with the murderer.

3. Death on the Nile

In 1937’s “Death on the Nile,” the esteemed detective Hercule Poirot embarks on a voyage, seeking relaxation; however, a heinous crime disrupts his peaceful journey. As one of three novels that cemented Agatha Christie’s legacy, “Death on the Nile” finds our brilliant Belgian sleuth unraveling the mystery of a wealthy socialite’s untimely demise. Along the way, Poirot encounters various intriguing suspects and experiences numerous unexpected twists.

My fascination led me to find myself in the midst of an intriguing mystery as the renowned detective Hercule Poirot took on a new case. It all started when Linnet Doyle, a captivating woman with a problem, sought his assistance – she was being harassed by none other than her friend Jacqueline de Bellefort’s former fiancé, Simon. Jackie, in a bizarre twist, had taken to following Linnet and her new husband wherever they went, even in exotic locations like Egypt.

Tragically, things took a deadly turn when poor Linnet was gunned down. Immediately, suspicion fell upon Jackie due to the circumstances. However, there was one major obstacle: she had an ironclad alibi. Now, it’s up to Poirot to unravel this perplexing puzzle and bring the real culprit to justice.

Death on the Nile” embodies classic Poirot, offering vivid and enchanting settings, perilous love tangles, and a conundrum that seems impossible to unravel. The Sunday Times described it as “an ingeniously crafted alibi” in their review of the novel. Christie’s personal travels in Egypt contribute significantly to her writing, creating characters and landscapes that leap from the pages. The finale of “Death on the Nile” is filled with romantic turmoil and visions of hidden wealth, and it’s a surprise ending that leaves many readers taken aback.

2. Murder on the Orient Express

As a gamer, when someone mentions Hercule Poirot, it’s either “Death on the Nile” or his iconic detective work that comes to mind. In 1934, I found myself aboard the Orient Express, not under ideal circumstances. I was boarding this legendary train from Istanbul to London because of an urgent telegram summoning me back to London due to a case development. Unfortunately, I had to settle for a second-class cabin, and we were soon stranded in a heavy snowstorm. To top it off, one of the passengers, an American named Samuel Ratchett, met a violent end.

Previously, an American entrepreneur named Ratchett sought out detective Hercule Poirot, pleading for him to provide private security services due to recent menacing messages. However, Poirot found him unappealing and turned down his offer. That very night, strange incidents occurred, and the following morning, it was discovered that Ratchett had been fatally stabbed in his cabin. A partially charred note at the scene hinted at ties with the mafia and a sorrowful murder case of a young girl from the past.

One of the finest mystery films ever made is the adaptation featuring Albert Finney as Poirot, while the 2010 episode in the “Poirot” TV series starring David Suchet ranks among its best. This particular storyline, according to its author Agatha Christie, was one of her favorites because it allowed her to create a truly mind-boggling mystery that left her readers puzzled. She herself referred to the plot twist as a unique concept. (Without revealing it here, of course.)

1. And Then There Were None

1939’s “And Then There Were None,” one of the most popular books ever written, showcases Agatha Christie at her literary best. A timeless mystery masterpiece, it delves into intricate plot developments and shocking, unforeseen twists that will keep you guessing until the very end. If you’re a fan of detective stories where clues unfold gradually, then this novel is tailor-made for you. Reading it once is an absolute must for any avid reader — but what’s the storyline?

Eight individuals receive invitations to a house situated in Devon, reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s captivating stories. Upon their arrival, they are greeted by Thomas and Ethel Rogers, the estate’s butler and housekeeper. They learn that the property belongs to Mr. and Mrs. Owen, who are expected to arrive soon. However, events take a dramatic turn as accusations of murder via a gramophone recording unfold. The first guest is subsequently poisoned, and from there, a series of deaths ensue, sparking fear and suspicion among the remaining guests. This thrilling novel will keep you on the edge of your seat, making it hard to resist the urge to read more.

When Christie’s literary estate conducted a global poll to determine the most beloved of her novels among readers, “And Then There Were None” emerged victorious, a result they had anticipated. Mathew Prichard, Christie’s grandson, expressed his sentiment by stating, “I believe it was the book my grandmother held dearest. It would have been quite shocking if it hadn’t taken the top spot—it truly deserves the title.” He further praised the novel, saying, “It’s meticulously and skillfully crafted to pull off a plot as intricate as this one, and to arrive at a resolution that not only feels satisfying but is also clearly evident in hindsight.” (via The Guardian)

2025-06-15 23:02