Christie has been awarded the title of Dame by the Queen of England for her contribution to literature and has even been awarded a place in the Guinness World of Records for being the best-selling fiction writer of all time.
In other words, Christie was a busy busy woman.
With 6 consecutive rejections under her belt, Christie never saw success until 1920 when The Mysterious Affair at Styles was published.
This launched the detective Hercule Poirot into stardom as he went on to feature in 33 of her novels and more than 50 short stories.
Miss Jane Marple was the next star of Christie’s imagination in 1927, first introduced in the Tuesday Night Club story.
Written as a short story, it quickly became a collection under the title The Thirteen Problems. Throughout the Second World War, Christie wrote two incredible novels, Curtain and Sleeping Murder.
With both novels locked in a vault and the copyrights being gifted to her daughter, Christie was a woman of true mystery and creativity.
If you find yourself constantly reaching for an Agatha Christie novel such as Murder on the Orient Express then you might need to switch things up. We have Alice Feeny and Margery Allingham similar to Agatha Christie to keep you on your toes.
Books By Agatha Christie
As mentioned above, Agatha Christie was a woman of many talents. She even went missing for eleven days after divorcing her first husband! Add a magician to the list.
However, her one true power was using her words to take you on a magical journey.
One of Christie’s most famous books is Murder on the Orient Express. While we all know the movie starring Johnny Depp, Christie’s book was truly genre-transforming.
Set on a train from India to London, as everyone begins to settle down after a night of drinks, it is to one passenger’s horror that they have stumbled upon a murder.
Detective Poirot is put to work to decipher the nights of each passenger until the murder is unveiled.
This novel is gripping and has a twist around every corner. Dealing with themes of betrayal, the morality of murder, and loyalty, you are left reeling when you discover that your main suspect was innocent.
As a loyal and devoted husband, Roger Ackroyd, deals with the knowledge that his doting wife poisoned her first husband, he is then left to grieve as he receives the news of her suicide.
When he is delivered one last piece of information, he is stabbed to death.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is intense, quick-witted and deviously perfect. Detective Poirot is called to help solve this mysterious and violent crime. Dealing with themes of death, murder mystery, and greed.
Everyone wants a piece and finding the culprit may be harder than it first appears.
Christie is a truly skilled writer. You are left spinning at the ending of each book, and while she stuck to her roots of murder mystery, you never read the same story twice. Unless you mean to.
Authors Like Agatha Christie
With Christie being the blueprint for murder mystery books, it is no surprise that many authors take inspiration from her work. Below are 2 authors like Agatha Christie that you can really sink your teeth into.
Alice Feeny
If you are looking for an author that knows how to lay a trap and snap you up, then Alice Feeny is a must-read. Before becoming a successful published author, Feeny was a producer and journalist at the BBC for 16 years.
As she turned 30, Feeny wrote her first mystery during her spare time. Sometimes I Lie twisted, compelling, and unnerving. As Amber Reynolds is in a coma, we are told the tale of then and now.
Leading up to something truly inconceivable before the awful car crash.
This psychological thriller deals with themes of toxic friendships, blackmail, and manipulation. As Amber filters back to her childhood diary, more secrets and layers of betrayal are unearthed.
The latest release from Alice Feeny Daisy Darker, is a New York Times Bestseller. With the family finally coming together after years apart, they decide to take some time out on a private island.
As they become cut off from the rest of the world, secrets are revealed, family drama is brought to the surface, and a murder is committed.
Explore themes of twisted family relationships, deception, and revealing of the truth. As Daisy is finally allowed to understand why her family is never together, she soon begins to wish she had never asked those questions.
Pros
While her career as an author has only just begun, Feeny has managed to attract a large audience.
Using her journalism skills she is creative and uses the comical plot lines of murder mystery books to her advantage.
Cons
However, her plotlines can sometimes be interpreted as gimmicks that may not please all readers.
Themes: mystery, deception, truth, family ties
Margery Allingham
If you love Agatha Christie, then Margery Allingham should already be on your radar. Known as one of the four Queens of Crime Fictions in the 20s and 30s, Allingham is a staple for murder mystery lovers.
As Meg Elginbrodde is finally moving on after the death of her husband in the D-Day landings, she is gifted with photographs informing her that her late husband may not be so dead.
With the Tiger back in town, there is more to the world of London than partying and smoking, especially for detective Albert Campion.
This story follows two tales full of mystery, deception, and violence. As the two tales meet, will they be able to solve the mystery of their lives?
In 1968, Allingham’s husband completed and published her final novel, The Cargo of Eagles. The author has unfortunately passed and left her final novel for her husband to complete.
Set in the small town of Saltley, detective Campion is determined to discover what secrets this small town holds and who is willing to kill to hide it.
The Cargo of Eagles showcases the terrors that small towns can hold and just how important their secrets are. As you dive through the mystery you will be hit with themes of desperation, conniving, and community.
Pros
Agatha Christie deemed Allingham as a ‘shining light’ in the world of the dark and mysterious. Meaning if you need something to really get your mind running then Allingham is the author for you.
Cons
A lot of Allingham’s work was set in her own time period, which may mean a lot of the language and descriptions do not make sense. However, after some detective work of your own, you will be enacted in the tales she has created.
Themes: violence, mystery, deception, desperation
Final Thoughts
Agatha Christie was truly a trailblazer. She never gave up and made sure that her work would be given the recognition it deserved. Going on to then be one of the most successful writers of all time.
With a focus on 2 or 3 characters, Christie created an entire world that will go on to live forever. With Poirot and Miss Jane Marple, you will have stories to read for generations to come.
However, like any author, sometimes you just need a change. While you may still be craving the mystery that Christie provides, there are plenty of authors that can give you something new and exciting to read.
Above are 2 authors like Agatha Christie. Including another Queen of the Crime Fiction genre, Margery Allingham. Allingham was rising to success around the same time as Christie however with her own style.
Alice Feeny brings a modern-day look to the murder mystery genre and she does it with flair. With a small catalog you can make your way through Feeny’s work before moving on.
So, discover new authors that are inspired by your favorite author and let them take you on a journey you have never seen before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is The Best-selling Mystery Book Of All Time?
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Among all of her works, none has a tale quite as expertly created as it.
Why Did Agatha Christie Become Tired Of Poirot?
Agatha Christie thought Poirot was becoming unbearable by 1930. The so-called “greatest mind in Europe” had grown conceited and annoying.
Despite how abhorrent she found him, she was powerless to dispose of him. She believed it was her responsibility to give the people what they wanted since they loved him.
Hi, my name is Anna Davis and I have been working with books for five years now. I got a job at my local library, so I could be closer to all of the books! I created this website in the hopes of inspiring others to start reading again. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your new favorite book from my site!
