AGATHA CHRISTIE / the ABC murders

The 8 best Agatha Christie books to read now

We whittle the 66 detective novels published by Agatha Christie down to our favourite eight.

BY ANNA BONET

17/06/2020




https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/lifestyle/editors-choice-book-reviews/g32877958/agatha-christie-books/

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Agatha Christie is the queen of detective fiction and one of the 20th century's best writers. She was also one of its most prolific authors too, having published over 60 novels.

Christie may have passed away in the 1970s, but her work is still widely read - and widely adapted - today. Recent films include the The Murder on the Orient Express (2017), which featured an all-star cast including Judi Dench, Olivia Colman and Penelope Cruz. Its equally starry follow up, The Death on the Nile, is due to be released later this year.

But don't just take the films' word for it: Agatha Christie is a master storyteller and practically all of her books are worth reading. Here, we've whittled them down to eight to get started with...

1Murder on the Orient Express (Poirot)

HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERSamazon.co.uk

On a luxury train where Detective Poirot is traveling back to London, a murder takes place and it's up to him to find out which of the passengers is responsible. This 1931 classic has been adapted many times across TV, film, radio and stage.

2Death on the Nile

HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERSamazon.co.uk

This one takes place on a luxury cruise in Egypt, where a beautiful heiress finds herself a target of some cunning fellow passengers. 

Luckily for her, Detective Poirot is on board too. 

3The Body in the Library

HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERSamazon.co.uk

When the Bantrys wake to find the body of a young woman in their library, they call on their friend Miss Marple to help solve the mystery.  

Charming, page-turning and full of intrigue, this is one of Agatha Christie's best. 

4And Then There Were None

HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERSamazon.co.uk

10 strangers arrive on a remote island off the coast of Devon. One by one they start to die, leaving the survivors desperately trying to figure out which one of them is the murderer. 

And Then There Were None is one of the highest selling books of all time, with approximately 100 million sales.  

5The Mysterious Affair at Styles

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The very first novel featuring the now iconic character of Detective Poirot, this is a good place to start if you're new to Agatha Christie. 

This time, the victim is Styles Court's wealthy mistress, and the list of suspects is long.

6The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERSamazon.co.uk

The British Crime Writers’ Association voted The Murder of Roger Ackroyd the best crime novel of all time. The thrilling book, which follows Roger Ackroyd as he comes to terms with what happened to the woman he loved, is deserving of this title.

It also comes with a jaw-dropping twist - you have been warned!

7The Murder at the Vicarage

HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERSamazon.co.uk

The first of Christie's novels to feature Miss Marple, The Murder at the Vicarage is one of her most mysterious books.

Under the surface of the quaint village of St. Mary Mead lurks  guilt, deception and murder... 

8The ABC Murders