Best Agatha Christie Books

Christie Agatha.

Christie Agatha.

When Internet users search for "Agatha Christie best books" the results point to the work of an author considered a precursor of the crime genre. Both critics and amateur readers have praised the titles of this British writer. In fact, the Guinness Book of Records considers her the best-selling novelist in history.

Much of the "blame" for such a label Christie is due to Hercules Poirot and Miss Marple. They are two of the most famous detectives of all time and the best-known leads of Christie. What's more, Poirot became the only fictional character to receive an obituary in the newspaper. The New York Times, after its final appearance in Curtain (1975)

Agatha Christie's life in a nutshell

Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller first saw the light of day on September 15, 1890, in Torquay, England. He lived in the bosom of an upper middle class family. She was home schooled during her childhood, during which time she developed avid reading habits. During her teens she studied in Paris and served as a volunteer nurse during the Great War.

She was married to Archibald Christie between 1914 and 1928, with whom he had his only daughter, Rosalind Hicks (1919 - 2004). Her second marriage was to the renowned archaeologist Max Mallowan. With him, she collaborated in important excavations in the Middle East and North Africa (places frequently evoked in the writer's settings). The couple remained together until Christie's death on January 12, 1976.

Characteristics of his work

Agatha Christie posted 66 detective novels, six romance books and 14 short stories (signed under the alias Mary Westmacott). Of course, its weight in the history of universal literature is given by its immense contribution to the detective genre. Which was a path started by his iconic researcher Hercules Poirot with The mysterious case of Styles (1920)

However - despite being a little less well known - the other characters created by Christie cannot be ignored. Such is the case with Miss Marple, the Beresford couple, Colonel Race, Captain Hastings and Superintendent Battle, among others.. It should be noted that Miss Marple and Poirot never coincide in the same novel.

Books starring Hercules Poirot

Curtain (1975), the masterful story that ends with the death of the famous detective

The Belgian private detective stars in 33 novels and 50 short stories by Agatha Christie, which were published between 1920 and 1975. Despite the dislike and weariness felt by the British author towards her own character since the mid-1930s, she refused to kill him. The reason: the public liked Poirot too much and the writer felt that it was her duty to please her audience.

Finally, in Curtain (1975) the detective dies of heart complications. When, after "sacrificing" his own moral code, he intentionally leaves his pills out of reach. Well, Poirot murders a clever manipulator who has never been tried. The "victims" committed the crimes for him. This book was originally written 36 years before its publication.

The murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926)

The events take place in King's Abbot (fictitious name) and are narrated by Dr. Sheppard, one of the inhabitants of the small town. There, Mrs. Ferrars is in despair after killing her husband and being the victim of blackmail. Then, the anguished lady decides to commit suicide and leaves a letter to Roger Ackroyd - the man she loves - in which she reveals what happened.

But Ackroyd is also assassinated and the only person capable of elucidating the facts is Poirot, who is enjoying his recent retirement at King's Abbot. The intriguing course of events culminates in a surprise which is considered the most impressive of the Christie novels.

The other stories starring Hercules Poirot

  • The mysterious case of Styles (1920)
  • Murder on the golf course (1923)
  • Poirot investigates (1924)
  • The big four (1927)
  • The mystery of the blue train (1928)
  • Imminent danger (1932)
  • Poirot breaks the law (1933)
  • The death of Lord Edgware (1933)
  • Murder on the Orient Express (1934)

Tragedy in three acts.

  • Tragedy in three acts (1935)
  • Death in the clouds (1935)
  • The mystery of the railroad guide (1936)
  • Cards on the table (1936)
  • Murder in Mesopotamia (1936)
  • Muerte en el Nilo (1937)
  • The mute witness (1937)
  • Murder at Bardsley Mews (1937)
  • Appointment with death (1938)
  • Tragic christmas (1939)
  • Death visits the dentist (1940)
  • A sad cypress (1940)
  • Evil under the sun (1941)
  • Five little pigs (1942)
  • Blood in the pool (1946)
  • The labors of Hercules (1947)
  • High tides of life (1948)
  •  Three blind mice (1950).
  • Eight cases of Poirot (1951)
  • Mrs. McGinty is dead (1952)
  • After the funeral (1953)
  • Murder on Hickory Street (1955)
  • The Nasse-House Temple (1956)
  • A cat in the dovecote (1959)
  • Christmas pudding (1960)
  • The clocks (1963)
  • The third girl (1966)
  • The apples (1969)
  • Elephants can remember (1972)
  • Poirot's first cases (1974)
  • Miss Marple

If Poirot is the neat investigator who solves intricate cases in the confines of the British Empire, Miss Marple's investigations are confined to the English countryside. Specifically, The crimes solved by this elderly spinster lady take place in St. Mary Mead, a fictional little town in southern England.

In total, Christie created 13 novels plus several short stories starring Miss Marple. She is described as a lovely lonely old woman, idealistic, fond of riddles and with extensive knowledge of nature. Precisely, this knowledge allows him to unravel mysteries that are indecipherable even for the most experienced experts at Scotland Yard.

Death in the vicarage (1930)

With this novel, Christie introduces the world to Miss Marple. It was October 1930, and a figure female as protagonists of a detective novel it was something difficult for the public to digest. However, with the already long and fruitful career of the writer, the doors were thrown wide and readers in the UK gave the work a pleasant welcome. Also in the US Agatha readers celebrated the arrival of this new character.

St Mary Mead is the (fictitious) locality that serves as an environment for the development of Death in the vicarage. It is a typical English town - precisely described by Christie - that is shaken by the slain of Lucius Protheroe. The body, in a mysterious way, appears in the vicar's study. Everything could be resolved quickly, if this particular character —area justice of the peace and retired colonel— were not one of the most hated beings in the entire town.

So Miss Marple finds herself in an unusual setting. Not only does he have to deal with the fact that Protheroe was hated by many villagers, but also that after his murder, two people plead guilty. The investigator can only apply her knowledge to refine the list of suspects down to seven. Part of what adds more tension and intrigue is that the vicar himself is among the alleged culprits. In the end, as usual in Christie's novels, readers are embraced by surprise.

The other Miss Marple stories

  • Miss Marple and thirteen problems / The cases of Miss Marple (1933)
  • The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (1939). Collection of stories.
  • A corpse in the library (1942)
  • The case of the anonymous (1943)
  • A murder is announced (1950)
  • Three Blind Mice and Other Stories (1950). Collection of stories.
  • The mirror trick (1952)
  • A handful of rye (1953)
  • The 4:50 train (1957)
  • The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (1960). Collection of stories.
  • Double Sin and Other Stories (1961). Collection of stories.
  • Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side (1962)
  • Mystery in the caribbean (1964)
  • At the Bertram hotel (1965)
  • Nemesis (1971)
  • A sleeping crime (written around 1940; published posthumously in 1976)
  • Miss Marple's Final Cases (1979). Collection of stories.

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  1.   Gustavo Woltmann said

    An impressive author, her books are a masterpiece and her legacy is flawless and magnificent.
    -Gustavo Woltmann.