13 best books by Agatha Christie
No wonder the most published writer of all time is Queen Detective Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller, known to readers by the name of her husband, Christie. And not only this record was broken by her. The play "The Mousetrap" became a work that is most often put on theatrical stage. Prose writer began at age 18. These novels were also not ignored and were published a little later. The main distinguishing feature of Christie’s work is that there are no horrible scenes of violence, rudeness, cruelty, and a sea of blood in her books. All her detective stories are a symbiosis of a mysterious plot, morality and ethics, which make you empathize with the heroes, and most importantly - enjoy reading the works written in the refined manner of the author.
In her entire life, Agatha Christie created over two hundred short stories, plays and novels. In our rating we selected the best of them, and they were recognized as classics of the detective genre. Who is not familiar - get acquainted. He who rereads more than once and knows the text almost by heart - remember to once again take your favorite piece from the shelf and enjoy the living syllable and inherent only in Agate Christie's writing style.
Top rated books by Agatha Christie
| Nomination | a place | Name of product | rating |
| Top rated books by Agatha Christie | 1 | The Killing of Roger Ekroyd | 4.9 |
| 2 | Ten Little Indians | 4.8 | |
| 3 | Alphabet kills | 4.8 | |
| 4 | Death in the clouds | 4.8 | |
| 5 | Murder announced | 4.7 | |
| 6 | Date with death | 4.7 | |
| 7 | Murder on the Orient Express | 4.6 | |
| 8 | Crooked House | 4.6 | |
| 9 | After the funeral | 4.5 | |
| 10 | Death on the Nile | 4.5 | |
| 11 | Evil under the sun | 4.5 | |
| 12 | On the edge | 4.4 | |
| 13 | His house of dreams | 4.4 |
The Killing of Roger Ekroyd
Author of the book: Agatha Christie
Rating: 4.9
The work was released in 1926. For the first time, Agatha Christie used a literary device when the narrator himself turns out to be a criminal, which is why the plot becomes not just interesting, as in all other books of the author, but fascinating and unpredictable. Here the nature of the murderer is fully revealed, which in the end itself is surprised at its duplicity and meanness. The case is led by the beloved by many Hercule Poirot. The story of events Dr. Sheppard, who becomes an assistant to the famous detective, replacing in this book, Captain Hastings.
In a fictional village, a rich widow is killed. But everyone is sure that she herself had settled accounts with life. And only when Ackroyd dies, who was going to tie his knot with Mrs. Ferrar, no one has any doubt that a crime has occurred. The suspects are eight people whose characters are so vividly described by the author.
In the novel at the same time there are several events that distract the reader and confuse. But when the real killer is found, it will be clear that they are all described for a reason. "The murder of Roger Ackroyd" caused a mixed reaction. Critics negatively perceived the book. Fellows were accused of using methods that were unacceptable for a detective. But only time has put everything in its place. And today this is one of the best works of the genre and creativity of the great Christie.
Ten Little Indians
Author of the book: Agatha Christie
Rating: 4.8
The second place ranking goes to the favorite work of the author, who became the best-selling work of Agatha Christie. The novella was published in 1939, and four years later a play was written on it. A child's little book about the Negroes takes on an eerie, frightening meaning and goes through the whole storyline. The action takes place on a rocky island, the prototype of which was the British island of Burg.
Ten completely strangers arrive at the invitation of the Owen couple, but they themselves are not there. Guests discover a tray with 10 porcelain figurines, and everyone in the room has a poster with a counting paper. The butler includes a gramophone, from which a male voice sounds and accuses everyone of crimes. And here the killings of the guests begin to take place, after which the porcelain little Indians disappear from the living room. There is no way out, the boat swam away, and they were left alone with the villain on an island cut off from the people. The only chance is to figure out who is the real killer who is here, and stop him.
It is worth noting that the author’s title of the book has been changed because of the modern rules of political correctness, and now it is presented on the shelves of second-hand bookshops as “And no one became”.
Alphabet kills
Author of the book: Agatha Christie
Rating: 4.8
The detective story was first published in January 1936. The first film adaptation took place after 29 years, and after another 27 years, the cinematographer with David Suchet played the role of Hercule Poirot. In addition to the famous detective, his faithful assistant captain Hastings and Inspector Japp are the main characters. It is noteworthy that the story is first conducted on behalf of the first person, and then from the third.
The book begins with the murder of people whose names are arranged in alphabetical order. The first victim was Alice Asher from Andover. Unknown to each crime, Poirot sends a hint, informing him of the place and time of the alleged murder and signing the letters with the first three letters of the alphabet. But the police are late every time and find an ABC handbook next to the victims.
The offender himself confesses and comes with a confession. And although Kast always finds himself near the bodies, he does not remember the smallest details at all and suffers from memory lapses. As a result of a thorough investigation, they find out that the traveling salesman has a 100% alibi for the duration of one of the killings. The detective not only proves his innocence, but also finds the true criminal, not allowing him to commit the planned 26 murders by the number of letters of the English alphabet.
Death in the clouds
Author of the book: Agatha Christie
Rating: 4.8
The novel included in the rating was published in 1935 and at first had a different name, namely “Death in the air”. The investigation is led by a Belgian detective Hercule Poirot and a London police officer, Japp. The action takes place on board the aircraft, in which, just before landing, they find the dead woman. The first version was a wasp bite, as a small puncture was found on the body. But the detective quickly finds out that the elderly Frenchwoman was poisoned, and the reason was a dart with a poison released from the tube.
Only those who are on the plane could do this, so everyone is suspected, including Poirot. In the detective story there will be everything: a fascinating plot, colorful descriptions of heroes, an unpredictable final and a murderer, whom they could have thought of last.
Agatha Christie in his works often uses confined spaces. Each time, the passions overwhelm, the reader until the very end can not decide who is the real killer of the narrow circle of suspects, and the writer every time runs around even the most attentive book lovers. In 1992, the novel was used in the television series about Hercule Poirot with David Suchet in the lead role.
Murder announced
Author of the book: Agatha Christie
Rating: 4.7
Published in 1950, a crime novel tells of the investigations of a sweet old woman, Miss Marple. The action takes place in a small English village.A strange announcement about the upcoming murder, published in a local newspaper, does not cause anything but a smile, because local residents think that this is just some kind of not entirely successful joke or an invitation to a holiday in such an original way. In the estate are going curious. And although the owners did not give any ads, they are forced to meet guests.
Exactly at 18.30, as indicated in the newspaper, a stranger enters the living room with a lantern, the lights go out and shots are heard. But it turns out that the guests are all alive, only a small scratch from Miss Blacklock, the hostess of the manor, and in fact the criminal himself was killed, in which they recognize the petty rogue Rudy Scherz. At the request of the police, Miss Marple is included in the investigation and assumes that the elderly woman was really wanted to be killed, and the uninvited guest was simply paid for simulating the crime.
The old lady begins to unravel the tangle of events, in which intrigues connected with the inheritance, interpersonal relations of heroes and thirst for profit intertwined, making ruthless killers out of respectable people.
Date with death
Author of the book: Agatha Christie
Rating: 4.7
A worthy place in the ranking is a novel, published in May 1938, which tells about the Middle Eastern adventures of Hercule Poirot. Both critics and readers took the work with delight, and it was recognized as one of the best works of the great author. Seven years later, Agatha Christie wrote a play in which there was no detective, and the storyline was different from that offered to readers.
The action takes place in Jerusalem. Detective inadvertently becomes a witness to a conversation between brother and sister, in which they plan to kill the mother. In fact, Mrs. Boynton’s three children’s foster children, and herself, who had previously worked as a supervisor in prison, was a cruel tyrant who would not let his family rest. And even surrounding people feel hostility already at the first acquaintance with a rich American woman.
Poirot has not the slightest clue to prove that this is a murder. But he has only 48 hours to investigate, so he quickly joins the work. After questioning the witnesses, the detective carefully analyzes the situation, masterfully restores the chain of events and finds the real criminal.
Murder on the Orient Express
Author of the book: Agatha Christie
Rating: 4.6
Another "hermetic" detective was released on the first day of the new 1934. He is recognized as a classic of the genre and enjoys special love from the admirers of the talent of A. Christie. Traveling on a luxury train naturally does not do without killing. And this investigation will be one of the exciting and unpredictable great intellectual Hercule Poirot. Having made a forced stop due to snow drifts, the body of a rich American is found in the car.
Ratchett's past is not so cloudless. In fact, his real name is Kasseti, and he was able many years ago to escape punishment for the brutal murder of a little girl. His friend Monsieur Boucé from Belgium and the doctor from Greece Stavros Constantin help him in the investigation of Poirot. Suspicion falls on the passengers of the car, each of whom could commit a crime. But there are no motives, but there is plenty of evidence, but they only lead to the side and do not allow us to calculate the real villain.
But the detective is difficult to confuse. He notices the smallest details and, analyzing, collects all the clues-puzzles into a single picture. The author was particularly successful in describing the luxurious express train, the magnificence of its setting, and it was to this work that the Paris-Istanbul train owes its increased popularity.
Crooked House
Author of the book: Agatha Christie
Rating: 4.6
The novel included in the rating was also published under other names: “Ridiculous Little House” and “Crooked Little House”. Many critics and readers consider this very book by Agatha Christie to be the most successful because of the unpredictable and unexpected finale.The action begins in the house "Three gables", which over time grew by extensions, the number of its inhabitants increased, and it would seem that a simple happy family is needed for simple happiness. But the gay life is broken by a series of murders committed in the estate.
The house is inhabited by the head of the millionaire family, Leonidis, and his relatives, who are looking forward to the death of the elderly owner. Arriving to woo the granddaughter of the murdered son of a policeman, Charles Hayward begins his own investigation. The suspicion of a large family falls on the old man’s wife, who is almost half a century younger, but each of them could have wished for the death of a rich relative.
The plot captures from the first line. The author gives us hints, but every time he plays up the reader again. You think that here, he is the true criminal, but Christie continues to intrigue. And when you reach the final, you feel a real shock.
After the funeral
Author of the book: Agatha Christie
Rating: 4.5
The crime detective story was written in 1952. 10 years after publication, he was screened, but not Poirot, but Miss Marple acted as a detective in it. The action takes place after the funeral of Mr. Abernety, when all the numerous relatives are waiting for the announcement of the will. His death was quite expected, but after the assumption of one of the heirs about the murder, the lawyer begins his own investigation. But when that Cora, who doubted natural death, is killed, she decides to turn to a detective in order to uncover the mystery of the death of a millionaire.
Poirot arrives at the mansion to catch the killer. Christie, as always, managed to surprise the description of the characters. Here and greedy, thirsting for inheritance characters, and other heroes that cause sympathy. Family drama has become a crime, skillfully revealed by many beloved detective.
Gathering those present in the living room, he began to expose the true killer. The final is unpredictable, as with all the works of Agatha Christie. An unequivocal opinion of experts: the book is not just recommended for reading, but should be on the shelf next to other bestsellers of the Queen of Detectives.
Death on the Nile
Author of the book: Agatha Christie
Rating: 4.5
We could not but include in our rating one of the most significant works, the main character of which is Hercule Poirot, leading the investigation in tandem with his friend, Colonel British Intelligence Reis. The plot is twisted around a love triangle, where the two are happy, and the third is angry and trying to get revenge. Abandoned Jackie threatens to kill the derelict, but after another booze wounds Simon. Witnesses to the unsuccessful attempt are the nearby passengers and medical workers.
In the morning, Linnett is found in his cabin with a shot through the head. Colonel Reis, at the request of the captain of the ship, heads the official investigation, Poirot helps him with this. Almost every passenger had the motive, but all the evidence points to Jackie, and witnesses confirm her alibi. As a result of the investigation, other crimes committed on the ship are also revealed.
Agatha Christie, as always, skillfully manipulates the facts, and the reader can not understand who the true killer is. The final is unpredictable, because it is on this person that the least suspicion falls and his participation in a terrible crime seems unreal.
Evil under the sun
Author of the book: Agatha Christie
Rating: 4.5
The novel was published in 1941, in which once again the Belgian detective masterfully unravels the complicated matter and never ceases to amaze the reader with his analytical skills and investigation methods. Hercule Poirot goes to a resort place to take a break and, returning, to quietly retire. He settles in a hotel that once belonged to an old adventurer cheater. The current owner is Mrs. Castle, jealously guarding not only the reputation of the institution, but also her own.
The hotel is going to a motley company, and squabbles, scandals, a love triangle naturally begin, which the author describes in such a fascinating and colorful way. The next day, frivolous Arlene Marshall, who became the cause of all troubles, is found dead on the coast, and each of the guests has a motive for the crime.
Poirot, who was at the hotel all this time, himself participates in many events and sees them from the inside. Difficult puzzle and here does not cause difficulties to the detective, and he in a manner peculiar to him exposes the real criminal.
On the edge
Author of the book: Agatha Christie
Rating: 4.4
The classic detective story from our rating, written in 1927, is included in the collection “Until the Light Lasts,” which includes both little-known and very popular stories. The work tells the story of the respectable Claire Holywell, who helps the needy, takes care of the poor along with the vicar, and tries to bring the depressed drunkards back to normal life. A sweet and modest girl suffers from unrequited feelings and cannot calmly endure meetings with her beloved's new darling. Gerald lived next door, and all his childhood and youth passed with him.
Surrounding people were sure that this friendship would end in engagement. Over time, Claire believed it. What was the surprise when a young man married a girl not from local. Even more brought the suffering of the main character that Gerald's wife was very beautiful, and each time she met, she indulgently communicated with her husband’s abandoned lover.
One day Claire got compromising on the parting person. But what about a girl who lives according to her conscience and does not violate either God's or human laws? The final will show how difficult it is to stay on the edge, and whether it is possible to live further if it is rather difficult to reach an agreement with your conscience.
His house of dreams
Author of the book: Agatha Christie
Rating: 4.4
The sentimental work written in 1926 does not refer to the usual classical detective story. It combines mysticism, psychology, romance. The book affects the feelings of every reader, and Agatha Christie appears to us in a slightly different light. A sad story tells about a man who is looking for his place in the world. His ideal presentation is inspired by dreams, but is there such a place in real life that a person is happy there?
The protagonist of the work is John Segrave. Coming from a wealthy family that was ruined over time, he learned how to make money, although his dreams were not about that. But for a long time he could not achieve much success in this field. One morning, John woke up shocked, and it was House who had been having a dream. He was beautiful, stood on high ground and was immersed in greenery and flowers.
Having met him in reality, will John find happiness in him? The author argues on the topic, is it always good when dreams come true, and maybe fantasies should remain in our heads so that reality does not disappoint.
Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.
