Kathy Hamilton Where to start Agatha Christie books is the ultimate challenge facing new readers. The Queen of Crime has an extensive backlist that is equal parts exciting and daunting. But no fear, this guide will offer you the best reading plans to help you get started.
Who Is Agatha Christie?
Agatha Christie is one of the most successful authors in the world. Her books have been published in over 100 languages and have sold more than 2 billion copies! In fact, she holds the Guinness world record for being the best selling fiction writers of all time.
She was born in 1890 in Torquay, Devon to a middle class family and was home schooled by her father. This fostered her life long love of reading which eventually encouraged her literary ambitions.
After her father died, her mother sent her to school until 1905 when she left to pursue a career as a concert pianist or opera singer in Paris! Luckily for us, she decided this career did not suit. So, following a trip to Egypt she continued to pursue writing and amateur dramatics.
Where to Start Agatha Christie
100 years ago, in 1920, Agatha Christie published her first novel “The Mysterious Affair at Styles“. This was the beginning of an amazingly prolific career. Between 1920 and 1976 she published 102 books, including the 66 mysteries she is best known for. As well as poetry, romance and even the worlds longest running play – “Mousetrap“.
Needless to say, with so many books to choose from it can be difficult to know where to start Agatha Christie! If you’ve never read a single book, or if you’ve read a few but want to have a more complete list, this article has the perfect reading plan for you. From Agatha’s own favourites to the complete works of her two most famous sleuths, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. There’s something for everyone.
Reading List 1: Agatha Christie’s Top Ten
In 1972, a Japanese fan asked Agatha Christie what her favourite ten books were. Although she replied that her own favourites often varied, she suggested these ten books as her favourites “at the moment”.
This reading list is a great place to start Agatha Christie because it highlights some of her best books. Complete with fan favourites such as The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and Murder on The Orient Express.
It also offers you the chance to try mysteries featuring both Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. An excellent way to work out which sleuth is your favourite!
Reading List 2: Miss Marple
Miss Jane Marple is an amateur detective living in St. Mary Mead. A fictional village created by Agatha Christie based on quintessential southern English life. Not so quintessential are the murders she helps to solve.
When I first wondered where to start Agatha Christie, I opted to read through Miss Marple’s mysteries. There’s a particular charm in the fact that, as an old woman, Miss Marple is able to observe humanity, and all of its vices, without anyone taking notice of her.
This reading list takes you through the Miss Marple mysteries in chronological order. Although, for the most part, there are no spoilers in these books. So you can pick and choose favourites too.
Reading List 3: Hercule Poirot
Despite calling him “insufferable”, Agatha Christie published 33 Hercule Poirot novels! With his famous moustache andeccentric ways he has been delighting audiences for over 100 years.
Poirot mysteries are often slightly more exotic. He visits far flung regions like Egypt. And travels on the Orient Express. So this can be a great place for those wondering where to start Agatha Christie to begin.
This reading list is, to put it mildly, extensive. But, it kicks off with some of the best Agatha Christie novels out there. Which makes it a great introduction to her style. Plus, if you get hooked, you’ve got so many more books to read. Exciting!
Bonus : Keep Reading Agatha Christie
The thing about Agatha Christie is that her own life was even more amazing than her fiction. Although I recommend beginning with some fiction. In order to get a sense of the woman behind the writing you may find some of the following books interesting:
- An Autobiography by Agatha Christie: Published a year after her death. It tells the story of her life in her own words
- Agatha Christie: A Mysterious Life by Laura Thompson: Covering some the areas which Agatha Christies Autobiography leaves out. This is a definitive story of the famous author.
- A Talent for Murder by Andrew Wilson: Using Christie’s mysterious ten-day disappearance as a starter. This book turns the Queen of Crime into a fictional sleuth!
