Agatha Christie’s Books in Order

Agatha Christie (1890-1976) is one of the world’s most popular and enduring novelistsher works outsold by only the Bible and the works of William Shakespeare. Over the course of her illustrious lifeChristie wrote 66 detective novels and 15 short story collections that have sold over a staggering two billion copies. Similarlyher famous mystery playThe Mousetrap, opened in London’s West End in 1952 and is still running today.

Known for her eccentric characters such as the Belgian super-detective Inspector Poirot and elderly amateur sleuth Miss MarpleChristie’s novels are also famed for their broad range of dramatic locations and often shocking narrative twists. By the time she died in 1976Christie’s reputation as one of Britain’s – if not the world’s – most famous authors was cemented foreverand her legacy is reflected in the many film and television adaptations of her novels that are still produced today.

Here’s a breakdown of Agatha Christie’s books in orderhighlighting her novels and short stories.

1920

The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Christie’s first novel was written during World War One. The book introduces the character of Hercule Poirotand is notable for introducing many of the character typesplot twists and red herrings that would characterise the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.

1922

The Secret Adversary

The book introduces the characters of Tommy and Tuppence who feature in three other Christie novels and one collection of short stories.

1923

Murder on the Links

Christie’s second novel to feature Hercule Poirot. Reviews compared the character to famed author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes.

1924

The Man in the Brown Suit

Following the character Anne Beddingfeldthe novel takes place in EnglandSouth Africa and Zimbabwe.

Poirot Investigates

A collection of 11 short stories starring detective Hercule Poirot. The range of mysteries include a bank robberya kidnapped Prime Minister and an ancient Egyptian curse.

Dust jacket illustration of the first UK edition

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1925

The Secret of Chimneys

Set over the course of a week at the country house Chimneysthe novel is both a murder mystery and treasure huntand was well-received by critics.

1926

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

A Hercule Poirot mysterythe novel has often been described as Christie’s masterpiece. Known for its controversial and innovative twist endingin 2013 the British Crime Writers’ Association voted it the best crime novel ever.

1927

The Big Four

Another Hercule Poirot mystery that features international crime and espionage. The novel started out as 12 short stories.

1928

The Mystery of the Blue Train

A Poirot mystery that investigates the murder of an American heiress. Christie considered the novel to be one of her worst ever.

1929

The Seven Dials Mystery

Featuring the same characters from The Secret of ChimneysChristie’s novel was criticised for being overly simplistic and having too preposterous an ending.

Partners in Crime

Featuring the characters Tommy and Tuppence Beresford from The Secret Adversary, the collection of short stories are parodies of established mystery novels of the time. All of the stories are linked by one overarching mystery.

1930

The Mysterious Mr Quin

Made up of 12 short storieseach chapter involves the characters of socialite Mr. Satterthwaite and Mr. Quinwhose interactions lead them to solve a range of mysteries. The book was only moderately well-received.

The Murder at the Vicarage

The first of Agatha Christie’s books in order of publication to feature the character Miss Marple in the village of St Mary Meadthe novel features a number of characters and subplots and quickly became a hit.

1931

The Sittaford Mystery (known in the US as Murder at Hazelmoor)

Amateur sleuth Miss Emily Trefusiswho investigates a séance that comes true against the rugged backdrop of Dartmoorwas well-received as a sharp and likeable character.

1932

Peril at End House

A Hercule Poirot mystery set in Cornwallthe novel is one of Christie’s most famous and highly-ratedand has been adapted for stageradiofilmtelevisiongraphic novel and as a computer game.

The Thirteen Problems (known in the US as The Tuesday Club Murders)

These 13 short stories featuring Miss Marple in the village of St Mary Mead are all linked by an overarching plot.

1933

Lord Edgware Dies

A Poirot mystery that focuses on the murder of Lord Edgeware and an American actress. Readers and reviewers praised the booknoting that the solution was particularly ingenious since a key clueunusuallycomes from a stranger.

The Hound of Death (not US)

Made up of 12 short storiesthe novel was the first to only be published in the UKand not the US. Its stories were eventually released in different collections in America. Unusuallymost of the tales are supernatural and fatalisticrather than detective-oriented. From this collectionChristie developed the short story ‘The Witness for the Prosecution’ into an award-winning play that has since been adapted for film and television.

1934

Murder on the Orient Express (known in the US as Murder in the Calais Coach)

Taking place between Istanbul and what was then known as Yugoslaviain Murder on the Orient ExpressHercule Poirot and a range of characters find themselves trapped on a train stuck in snow. Amongst the most famous of Christie’s worksthe novel has been adapted for film and television on numerous occasions.

Dust-jacket illustration of the first UK edition

Image Credit: Public Domainvia Wikimedia Commons

The Listerdale Mystery (not US)

Another of Christie’s works to not have been initially published in the USthe novel is made up of a collection of short stories. The short story Philomel Cottage first appears hereand was later turned into a successful playtwo feature films and two British television series.

Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? (known in the US as The Boomerang Clue)

Set between Wales and Hampshirethe novel follows two amateur detectives solving a murder on a golf course.

Parker Pyne Investigates (known in the US as Mr Parker PyneDetective)

Made up of a collection of short storiesthe novel comprises of 12 of Christie’s fourteen stories in total which feature detective James Parker Pyne.

Three-Act Tragedy (known in the US as Murder in Three Acts)

This is the only book where Hercule Poirot collaborates with his friend Mr Satterthwaite to solve the mystery.

1935

Death in the Clouds (known in the US at Death in the Air)

Hercule Poirot solves a mystery while on a plane. The novel was hugely well-received for its innovative twist ending.

1936

The ABC Murders (known in the US as The Alphabet Murders)

A Poirot mysterythe novel is noted for its unusual combination of both first and third-person narrative.

Murder in Mesopotamia

Another Poirot mysterythe novel is set during an archaeological excavation in Iraq. True descriptions from Christie’s visit to the Royal Cemetery at Ur – where she met her second husbandSir Max Mallowan – feature in the story.

Cards on the Table

Yet another Poirot mysterythe murder is solved based upon the psychology of a group of people playing cards. It is considered by some to be one of Christie’s best.

1937

Dumb Witness (known in the US as Poirot Loses a ClientMystery at Littlegreen HouseMurder at Littlegreen House)

A Poirot mysterythis novel was met with a mixed reception amongst Christie fanswho felt that some of the clues were a bit heavy-handed.

Death on the Nile

Arguably Christie’s most famous workthe novel led to a renewed interest in tourism to Egypt. It has since been dramatised on screen many times.

@historyhit Travelling in ! #agathachristie #HolidayModeActivated #historyhit #egyptianhistory #valleyofthekings #deathonthenilemovie #deathonthenile ♬ EgyptianArabianMiddle Eastern ancient civilizationsetc.(992443) – Shinnosuke Shibata

Murder in the Mews (known in the US as Dead Man’s Mirror)

A collection of four short stories featuring Hercule Poirotthe novel was criticised for not embellishing each individual story enough.

The Sofitel Luxor Winter Palace Hotel by the Nile river. Agatha Christie wrote her novel ‘Death On the Nile’ allegedly here

Image Credit: fivetonine / Shutterstock.com

1938

Appointment with Death

A Poirot novel set mainly in Jerusalem and Petra that reflects Christie’s experiences travelling in the Middle East with her husband.

Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (known in the US as Murder for ChristmasA Holiday for Murder)

A Poirot mystery that was lauded for its complexity and narrative brilliance.

1939

Murder is Easy (known in the US as Easy to Kill)

Retired police officer Luke Fitzwilliam struggles to discover the identity of a serial killer in a little village. The novel received mixed results.

And Then There Were None (known in the US as Ten Little Indians)

One of Christie’s most famous worksthe book is the world’s best-selling mysterywith 100 million copies soldand the sixth best-selling title of any language.

The Regatta Mystery

This collection of 9 short stories featured Christie’s detectives Hercule PoirotMiss Marple and Parker Pyne. It was first published exclusively in the US – the first time one of Christie’s novels had been released in such a way – but it was later published in the UK as well.

1940

Sad Cypress

Another of the Poirot seriesSad Cypress is partially set in the courtroom with lawyers and witnesses pointing Poirot in the direction of the truth. The title comes from a song in Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night. It was well-received at publicationand was described as being more emotional than most of Christie’s Poirot novels.

OneTwoBuckle My Shoe (known in the US as The Patriotic MurdersAn Overdose of Death)

Another Poirot novelthis text features the last appearance of Chief Inspector Japp. Shortly after visiting his dentistPoirot investigates the death of the very same dentist. The novel was generally praised by critics and the public.

1941

Evil Under the Sun

Poirot is in Devonwhere he must solve the mystery of a young woman’s murder. The novel was lauded by criticsand was later adapted multiple times. A notable film adaptation of 1982 featured Peter Ustinov as Poirot and a cast that included Dame Maggie Smith and Diana Rigg.

N or M?

Featuring the mature versions of the detectives Tommy and TuppenceChristie’s novel is named after a catechism from the Book of Common Prayer. In around 1941-2British intelligence agency MI5 investigated Christie because one of her characters was called Major Bletchleyand they were afraid Christie had a spy in top codebreaking centreBletchley Park. She explained that the name came from an area in Milton Keynes.

1942

The Body in the Library

A Miss Marple novel that revolves around murders in a country houseChristie wrote that the body in the library was consciously a detective mystery clichéand that she worked to complicate the mystery to subvert expectations. The novel has been adapted on screen by the BBC and ITV and for radio.

Five Little Pigs (known in the US as Murder in Retrospect)

Hercule Poirot investigates the murders of 5 people who were killed 16 years previouslyafter a womanwho was falsely convicted of murdering her husbanddies in prison. It has been regarded by many as one of Christie’s most brilliant novels.

The Moving Finger (known in the US as The Case of the Moving Finger)

Set in Devonthe story revolves around an anonymous letter and a murder. UnusuallyMiss Marple only enters during the final quarter of the novel after Hercule Poirot fails to solve the crime. The male narrator was praised and panned in equal measure.

1944

Towards Zero (known in the US as Come and Be Hanged)

The last novel to feature Superintendent Battlethe novel follows multiple murders of two friends named Lady Tressilian and Treves. The novel was well-receivedbeing praised for its particularly well-developed characters. One critic praised the gentlemanly behaviour of the characters in the novel.

Death Comes as the End

This is the only of Christie’s novels not to be set in the 20th centuryand it also features no European characters. Insteadit is set in Thebes in 2000 BCwhich was likely inspired by Christie working with her husbandwho was an archaeologist. The novelwhich is noted for its very high number of deathscame to be known as a ‘historical whodunnit’ novel. It is one of only four of Christie’s novels never to have received an adaptation of any kind.

1945

Sparking Cyanide (known in the US as Remembered Death)

Featuring the character Colonel Racethe story revolves around the mysterious deaths of a married coupleexactly one year apart. While the novel sold wellit was not thought to be Christie’s best worklacking the sparkle of characters like Hercule Poirot.

1946

The Hollow (known in the US as Murder after Hours)

The first of Christie’s novels in four years to feature Hercule PoirotChristie claimed that the country house mystery was actually ruined by the introduction of Poirotwho Christie confessed to not liking much as a character.

1947

The Labours of Hercules

A collection of 12 short stories featuring Hercule Poirotwho gives an account of cases with which he intends to close his career. He draws upon the mythology of Hercules to do so. The stories were published periodically between 1939 and 1947.

1948

Taken at the Flood (known in the US as There is a Tide)

A Hercule Poirot novel set in a village near London in 1946the story explores post-World War Two England and its economic challenges. The story revolves around blackmail and murderand introduces the character of Superintendent Spence.

1948

Witness for the Prosecution (not UK)

A collection of short stories only published in the USeach story had already appeared in UK collections of short stories. Some of the stories are fantasy fictionrather than mysteries. Witness for the Prosecution later turned into a play that has been staged countless times.

1949

Crooked House

The action takes place in London in autumn 1947and takes its title from the nursery rhyme ‘There Was a Crooked House’. Christie claimed that this was one of her favourite book titles of all of her worksalong with Ordeal by Innocence.

1950

A Murder is Announced

Featuring the detective Miss Marplethe book was praised as being ingenious and was also heavily publicisedsince it is Christie’s fiftieth book.

Three Blind Mice (not UK) (known in the US as The Mousetrap)

A collection of 9 short stories featuring an alternate version of the play The Mousetrap, which is still immensely popular as a stage production.

1951

They Came to Baghdad

An adventure novelit was inspired by Christie’s own trips to Baghdad with her archaeologist husband. It is one of few Christie novels that belong to the action and spy fiction genres instead of whodunnits and mysteries.

The Under Dog (not UK)

A collection of 9 short storiesall of which feature Hercule Poirot. All of the stories were published in American and British magazines between 1923 and 1926and all would appear again in 1974’s Poirot’s Early Cases.

Florin Court became the fictional residence of Agatha Christie’s Poirotknown as ‘Whitehaven Mansions’

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1952

Mrs McGinty’s Dead (known in the US as Blood Will Tell)

A Hercule Poirot novelthe novel is a village mystery which is notable for its wit and comic detail. This publication is considered to make the start of Poirot’s final phase.

They Do It with Mirrors (known in the US as Murder with Mirrors)

A Miss Marple novelit was criticised since it was felt that the second half of the novel moved too slowly. The title is a reference to the way that illusionists sometimes use mirrors to bend perspectivewhich in turn helps Miss Marple solve the mystery.

1953

After the Funeral (known in the US as Funerals are Fatal)

Featuring Hercule Poirotthe novel uncovers the story of the murder of a wealthy manand his relatives committing further murder to try and be awarded a big share of his wealth.

A Pocket Full of Rye

A Miss Marple novelmuch of the plot references the children’s nursery rhyme ‘Sing a Song of Sixpence’. Reviewers felt that the plot was less stunning than normalbut it still made for a good read.

1954

Destination Unknown (known in the US as So Many Steps to Death)

A work of spy fictionthe novel opens in Morocco and centres around a woman who is recruited to be a British spy. Though the novel was deemed to be enjoyableit was not seen as as impactful as her mystery novels more widely. It’s one of only four of Christie’s novels to have never been adapted.

1955

Hickory Dickory Dock (known in the US as Hickory Dickory Death)

A Hercule Poirot novelHickory Dickory Dock is set at a student hostel and revolves around the murder of one of its residents.

1956

Dead Man’s Folly

A Hercule Poirot novelDead Man’s Folly was not regarded as Christie’s best work – the red herrings were seen as too random and unexplainedand Poirot was perceived to be less sharp than normal.

1957

4.50 from Paddington (known in the US as What Mrs McGillicuddy Saw!)

A Miss Marple novel4.50 from Paddington was regarded as being short on cluesbut satisfying nonetheless. The 1961 film MurderShe Said was based on the novelas were several television programmes.

Stack of classic murder mystery books by Agatha Christie

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1958

Ordeal by Innocence

The novel was regarded as a psychologically rather than practically mystery-driven storywhich proved less popular than normal. HoweverChristie sometimes regarded it as her favourite of her works.

1959

Cat Among the Pigeons

A Hercule Poirot novelthere is an emphasis on espionage and Christie’s international adventuresas well as references to the Tommy and Tuppence stories.

1960

The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (Not US)

A collection of 6 short stories featuring both Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Indeedit is the only first edition published in the UK that features both famous detectives. The stories in the collection were published as part of other volumes in the US.

1961

The Pale Horse

Featuring the novelist detective Ariadne Oliver as a minor characterthe novel is somewhat supernaturalin response to public demand for supernatural novels at the time. It has been adapted many times.

1961

Double Sin (not UK)

A collection of 8 short stories that feature appearances from both Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. A countryside murdera human-like doll and a medium summoning spirits are all included.

1962

1966

Third Girl

A Hercule Poirot novelit is notable for being the first in many years where Poirot is present from the beginning to the end. It also features the recurring character Ariadne Oliver.

1967

Endless Night

Christie noted that this was one of her favourite novels she’d ever writtenand it was indeed one of the most critically acclaimed of her career. The title comes from William Blake’s Auguries of Innocence.

1968

By the Pricking of My Thumbs

Featuring a now elderly Tommy and Tuppence Beresford (they age from novel to novel)the title comes from Act 4Scene 1 of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

1969

Hallowe’en Party
A Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver novelthe story was regarded as having too many loose ends and unrealised characters. The novel was dedicated to P.G. Wodehouse.

1970

Passenger to Frankfurt

Published to mark Christie’s eightieth birthdaythe novel was also advertised as her eightieth book. It was the last of her spy novelsand made many observations about the world and how it was changing at the time. The novel received mixed reviews.

1971

Nemesis

The last Miss Marple novel Christie wrotethe novel again features Jason Rafiel who had previously appeared in A Caribbean Mystery. It received positive reviews. Recent analysis of the plot has suggested that homosexual themes are presentthough the character of Miss Marple seems to view the passionate friendship between women as just a phaseas was the generally-held view of the time.

The Golden Ball (not UK)

A collection of 15 short stories featuring characters such as Hercule Poirotsome of the stories were published in other story collections in the UK and US.

1972

Elephants Can Remember

Featuring Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliverthe novel was the last of Agatha Christie’s books in order to feature either characterthough it was succeeded by Curtian: Poirot’s Last Casewhich had been written in the early 1940s but was published later. The novel highlights themes such as oral testimony and memory.

Stack of classic mystery books by Agatha Christie

Image Credit: Jelena990 / Shutterstock.com

1973

Postern of Fate

Featuring the now-retired couple Tommy and Tuppence Beresford in their last appearancethe novel was the last that Christie wrotebut not the last to be published. It involves a cold case that dates to World War One. It is one of four Christie novels to have never received an adaptation.

1974

Poirot’s Early Cases (known in the US as Hercule Poirot’s Early Cases)

A collection of 18 short stories that chart some of the cases from Poirot’s early career before he becomes internationally renowned as a detective.

1975

Curtain

Featuring Hercule Poirot and Arthur Hastingsthe novel marks the final appearance of both characters. A country house novelthe murder and characters are all located in one house. It was the last novel published by Christie before her deaththough anotherSleeping Murderwas published posthumously.

1976

Sleeping Murder

A Miss Marple novelthe story was published after Christie had diedand is the last published Christie novel. The story is set in 1944though an earlier draft of the novel was written during World War Two.

1979

Miss Marple’s Final Cases (not US)

A collection of 8 short storiesof which six feature Miss Marple. Most of the stories had been published earlier in the US in magazines. In 2010an audio book and the Kindle edition were released.

1991

Problem at Pollensa Bay (not US)

A collection of 8 short stories which had previously been published in American volumes. It features two stories with Hercule Poirottwo with Parker Pynetwo with Harley Quin and two gothic stories.

1997

The Harlequin Tea Set (not UK)

A collection of 9 short stories which each contains a separate mystery. With the exception of The Harlequin Tea Set, all of the stories were published in the UK in 1997 in the anthology While the Light Lasts and Other Stories.

1997

While the Light Lasts (not US)

A collection of 9 short storiesthe stories include some of Agatha Christie’s very earliest storiesincluding her first ever. This is the last of Agatha Christie’s books in order of publication date.