Page 4 | Agatha Christie....where to start?

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 2025-01-27T08:14:18+00:00

I'm thinking of reading my first Agatha Christie - any recommendations for what you would consider to be her 'best' book?

StiffyByngsDogBartholomew · 27/01/2025 10:30

My favourite is And Then There Were None

Lentilweaver · 27/01/2025 10:29

Miss Marple is a kickass pathbreaking feminist in the guise of a little old lady.

ChonkyRabbit · 27/01/2025 10:27

I read Murder on the Orient Express first, then went back and started from the first Poirot. I recommend it as it's fascinating to see her writing get better and better over the years.

I then read the Tommy and Tuppence books and some of the standalones.

I was hesitant about Miss Marple as I don't like the character on TV, but I recently started the first one. It's from another character's perspective and I'm enjoying it a lot, though I haven't yet warmed to Miss Marple.

Mylittlebobble · 27/01/2025 10:24

I've really enjoyed Miss Marple short stories and noticed that they did make me chuckle. Bbc sounds have a few of the new ones (written by various famous writers) on there at the moment.

Lentilweaver · 27/01/2025 10:21

Yes the non Poirot Marple books aren't very good. Her spy stories are dire.

MermaidEyes · 27/01/2025 10:19

I've read around 60 of her books and the Poirot and Miss Marple ones are by far the best. Also her autobiography is well worth a read!

Allthebrokenplaces · 27/01/2025 09:16

Don't start with Roger Ackroyd! It's a little bit different so better to have read some of her others first.
I love A Murder is announced, also 450 from Paddington or Why didn't they ask Evans. From some classic Poirot I'd probably do Death on the Nile.

zaxxon · 27/01/2025 09:16

Death on the Nile is a great shout. Murder at the Vicarage is another classic that would make a good first read.

Lentilweaver · 27/01/2025 09:11

Read all of them several times. I would suggest Death on the Nile.
But also After the Funeral, A Murder is Announced and Five Little Pigs are little known gems.

SallyWD · 27/01/2025 09:08

NotinToTintin · 27/01/2025 08:18

Don’t read the murder of Roger ackroyd first! It will be much better if you read that after you’ve read some of the others. Read the Mysterious Affair at Styles perhaps - one of the earlier Poirots. Or Death on the Nile? A classic.

Yes, I think I agree. It really is my favourite and I'd want to build up to it.

WimpoleHat · 27/01/2025 09:07

bookworm14 · 27/01/2025 08:52

Death on the Nile, The Body in the Library, A Murder is Announced and And Then There Were None are all brilliant. You don’t need to read them in any particular order so I would just try one and see if it grabs you!

This would be my list too! You are in for a treat…..

SallyWD · 27/01/2025 09:05

Phase2 · 27/01/2025 08:15

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was my entry to Agatha.

I came on to say this. I've read many of her books and this is my favourite. Excellent plot twist!

bookworm14 · 27/01/2025 08:52

Death on the Nile, The Body in the Library, A Murder is Announced and And Then There Were None are all brilliant. You don’t need to read them in any particular order so I would just try one and see if it grabs you!

CharlotteLightandDark · 27/01/2025 08:19

I like Endless Night but it’s v different to her usual, no detectives in it! It’s folk horror tinged with an unreliable narrator so v up my street.

NotinToTintin · 27/01/2025 08:18

Don’t read the murder of Roger ackroyd first! It will be much better if you read that after you’ve read some of the others. Read the Mysterious Affair at Styles perhaps - one of the earlier Poirots. Or Death on the Nile? A classic.

devildeepbluesea · 27/01/2025 08:17

Agree with Roger Ackroyd. Although you can dip in and out

FishFashFosh · 27/01/2025 08:15

I'd read the first Marple or Poirot.

Phase2 · 27/01/2025 08:15

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was my entry to Agatha.