Agatha Christie is the Queen of Crime! She’s left her mark on the mystery fiction genre with her suspenseful tales, unforgettable mysteries, and an abundance of novels that have turned into timeless classics!
Whether you’re an avid fan of mystery or a newbie to the genre, you’ve likely heard of Christie’s novels–but with such an extensive bibliography, it can be difficult to know which of her legendary mysteries to start with.
That’s where this article comes in! Keep reading to see all Agatha Christie books ranked!
About Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie was born on September 15th, 1890, in Torquay, England. With six unsuccessful novels which were rejected for publishing put behind her, in 1920, Christie finally got a taste of success when her novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, was published.
It was the start of an insanely successful career! Christie would go on to be the most-translated individual author, with sixty-six detective novels, fourteen short story collections, several plays, and several movie and television adaptations under her belt.
With a writing career spanning over five decades, Christie cemented her legendary status by writing immensely entertaining, brilliantly immersive, and mind-bogglingly intricate stories that readers are still perplexed and entertained by to this day.
If it’s a puzzling journey or merely an entertaining read that you’re looking for, look no further! We’ll be taking a look at some of Christie’s best work in this complete ranking guide!
All Agatha Christie Books Ranked – Complete Ranking Guide
The ABC Murders (Hercule Poirot Series)
In arguably Christie’s best novel, a vindictive serial killer terrorizes the nation, targeting victims alphabetically. Hercule Poirot faces a formidable nemesis as the murderer taunts him with calculated clues.
Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case (Hercule Poirot Series)
The infamous Curtain sees the beloved Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings reunite at the Great Styles estate. Despite Poirot’s physical limitations, his brilliant mind remains perfectly intact as he works to uncover a shocking revelation and races against time to avert yet another deadly crime.
Perhaps the most popular of Christie’s novels (and rightfully so, as it’s utterly excellent!), And Then There Were None sees ten individuals with hidden secrets all lured to a secluded island, soon to be trapped together.
As their haunting pasts reveal themselves, a mysterious killer strikes, leaving them questioning who among them is the murderer and whether or not any of them will be able to survive the night.
This popular title and adored addition to the Miss Marple series follows Miss Marple as she finds herself amidst a murder mystery. In the usually serene little village of St. Mary Mead, despised Colonel Protheroe is found shot dead.
There are plenty of suspects, and Miss Marple must use her observant nature to her advantage to untangle the web of lies–and clues–to uncover the true identity of the killer.
In this incredibly intense mystery, Jacko Argyle is wrongly convicted for his mother’s murder.
When he dies in prison before his innocence is revealed and Dr. Arthur Calgary arrives too little too late with proof of his lack of crime, Jacko’s family experiences immense turmoil, and the stakes of finding the true killer are raised as they try to catch him before he can murder once more.
The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd (Hercule Poirot Series)
This acclaimed novel follows Roger Ackroyd, who is burdened with dangerous knowledge about his lover’s past.
When he’s found murdered before he can reveal the shocking truth, secrets begin to unravel, deceit and betrayal occur, and everyone involved is at risk of experiencing a sinister surprise.
A fan favorite and instant classic, Peril at End House has a summary that speaks for itself!
“On holiday on the Cornish Riviera, Hercule Poirot is alarmed to hear pretty Nick Buckley describe her recent ‘accidental brushes with death.’
First, on a treacherous Cornish hillside, the brakes on her car failed. Then, on a coastal path, a falling boulder missed her by inches. Later, an oil painting fell and almost crushed her in bed.
So when Poirot finds a bullet hole in Nick’s sun hat, he decides that this girl needs his help. Can he find the would-be killer before he hits his target?”
“A murder is announced and will take place on Friday, October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6.30 p.m.” this is the message advertised to the villagers of Chipping Cleghorn.
The impossible crime takes place exactly when it was planned to.
Murder On The Orient Express (Hercule Poirot Series)
Who doesn’t love a good train murder mystery?
A wealthy man is found brutally murdered in a stranded Orient Express. With a limited pool of suspects, Hercule Poirot races against time to identify the killer before they can strike once more.
Michael Rogers–a chauffeur yearning for a better life–connects with an heiress who can make his dreams come true. But when he disregards the ominous curse attached to his newfound property, he has to deal with the consequences.
This novel is a gothic psychological suspense, which is a genre Christie rarely explored!
Young Anne came to London looking for adventure, but adventure came looking for her too. Her adventure takes a thrilling turn when she witnesses a man’s electrifying death.
Doubting the accidental verdict, she investigates the mysterious man in the brown suit and the puzzling message he left behind.
The Bantrys wake up at seven in the morning, only to find the body of a young woman–who’s dressed in an evening gown and heavy makeup– in their library. But who is she? How did she get there?
Miss Marple will have to try her hand at cracking this case.
A luxury cruise turns deadly when Linnet Ridgeway is found murdered. Hercule Poirot investigates, trying to navigate jealousy, love, betrayal, and a web of lies to get to the truth.
The longest-running show of all time–opening in 1952 and still running to this day–The Mousetrap is a play that follows a diverse group of people in a snowbound boarding house who try to figure out who the murderer that lurks among them is.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot Series)
In this iconic debut novel, readers are introduced to Hercule Poirot’s brilliant detective work as she tries to figure out who is responsible for poisoning an heiress.
Caroline Crale was convicted of poisoning her husband, but Poirot has doubts. Six suspects, each resembling the ‘little pigs’ from a nursery rhyme, are revisited as Poirot helps Caroline’s daughter uncover the truth.
Agatha Christie’s genius shines through in each and every one of her works, so you can’t go wrong no matter which ones you choose to read first, but I hope this ranking can help make it a little easier for you to choose where to start, regardless!
FAQs
What is Agatha Christie’s top-selling book?
Agatha Christie’s bestselling book to date is, And Then There Were None. Published in 1939, the ever-popular novel has become one of her most famous of all time. It’s been adapted into several films and television shows throughout the years as well as being her bestseller.
Did Agatha Christie have a pseudonym?
Yep! For twenty years, she wrote under the name Mary Westmacott. You may not believe it, but she actually wrote romance under this name! She wanted to try her hand at writing in the romance genre without worrying about people’s expectations of what she usually wrote.
Is Agatha the bestselling mystery writer of all time?
Yes, she is! Her works have been outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare.
Why do people love Agatha Christie?
There are several reasons why people love Chrisie.
She’s a legendary writer who did plenty of heavy lifting within the mystery genre during her time. Her novels are filled with plenty of suspense, which keeps readers on their toes throughout. And her attention to detail, creative plotlines, and inclusion of psychological aspects make her books that much more intriguing.
Tia has been writing since she first learned how to spell. A shy kid turned introverted adult, she’s been using books as a way to express herself for as long as she can remember. Whether building her own intricate worlds and crafting kooky characters of her own or diving into the captivating universes created by other authors, Tia’s passion for books always manifests itself in some way. When she isn’t reading or writing, she can be found studying Korean, watching anime, maladaptive daydreaming, or losing her mind over BTS with her best friends.
