Favorite Agatha Christie Novels

Mystery novels and I have a long, long history between us!Even the first novel that I ever read belonged to mystery genre ;The Three Investigators Series; The Mystery of the Talking Skull. My entire childhood can be summed up in two words; mystery novels. Later on I was introduced to and embraced in the spell binding world created by Agatha Christie and thus there was no turning back. So I have decided to pay tribute to the queen of Detective novels by listing six of my all time favorite Agatha Christie novels.

6. The ABC Murders

A classic Herclue Poirot mystery which consists of drama, family feud, romance, action, adventure and an ending which signifies the detective’s eureka moment that finally solved the case.

Poirot receives a mysterious letter signed by “A.B.C”, hinting some act of crime is going to be committed very soon. Soon two murders take place in an alphabetical order with an ABC Railway Guide present at both the crime scenes. The little Belgian detective must race against time to stop the murderer from striking his third victim and save an innocent man from meeting with an unfortunate fate.

P.S. You’ll be surprised to know who turns out to be the actual culprit and applaud Christie for her art of weaving stories by linking all the hidden hints (ooooh, alliteration!) together. That’s what I did, at least 😛

5. Death comes as the End

Quite a strong title, no?

The novel set in Ancient Egypt, unlike the other contemporary novels by the author boasts of a story as strong as the title. A revered priest’s life turns upside down after he marries a woman much younger than him. Certain incidents find his newly wedded wife to be a victim of raging angst from his family members. Soon she is found dead and it seems her vengeful spirit is back to settle old scores…

One more thing that distinguishes this novel from the others is that, the narrative is presented in a first person perspective as opposed to the other third person perspective approaches.

You would love reading the gripping tale about a ghost who has crossed the realms of the dead to avenge her murder or is it another mystery all together? No spoilers ahead!

4. Death on the Nile

A masterpiece of a novel which showcases a melange of human emotions including bittersweet love, sympathy, greed, selfishness and of course Poirot’s brilliance.

A young woman approaches the detective to assist her in distress. She and her husband are being stalked by her husband’s ex-lover. Poirot, however, refuses to accept the case. The couple, then boards a cruise steamer to escape the stalker. It is then despite all efforts to avert it, a murder is committed; the young woman seeking Poirot’s help breathes her last. It is time for the Belgian’s grey cells to actively work, to solve the mystery, before the murderer strikes again.

I recommend you read this novel carefully and pay attention to all the characters, as this string of people are repeated once again in a different setting, but pointing to the same motive hidden beneath the veil of crime.

3. The Mystery of the Blue Train

Herclue Poirot boards the uneventful Le Train Bleu in hopes of undertaking a peaceful journey. However, his plans are interrupted as one of the passengers is found to murdered and a world famous jewel is missing from her possession. With a train full of passengers as suspects and two cases to solve, Poirot has to rack his brains to distinguish the truth and lie from the water tight alibi that point to real murderer.

P.S. This was the first Agatha Christie novel I read! I loved reading about how the author made the detective solve two cases that appeared to stem from a single act of crime and saved the innocent from meeting with an unfortunate fate. Having difficulty in choosing a book for the upcoming weekend? Just take a deep breath and unravel the mysterious murder with Agatha Christie.

2. Appointment with Death

The author narrates a story about a dominating ex-prison warden and her family who are travelling for a vacation, together. The matriarch influences her children heavily and never allows them to think for themselves. While travelling, she leaves a queer remark to one of the passengers and is soon found to be dead. It now falls upon the able shoulders of Poirot to deduce the culprit and find meaning to the old lady’s quaint remark.

One factor which distinguishes the novel from others is that is that, it is written from the perspective of two vital characters in the novel and does not include a third-person perspective. It keeps you glued till the very end and leaves you satisfied as you finish the novel.

Finally, my favorite book! The best for the last…

1. Murder on the Orient Express

Ohh! One of the few novels that made me gasp at every page! It has so many topsy-turvy incidents that give the story a new depth. The best thing about this novel is that it never loses its narrative in the backdrop of various side stories and it includes character continuation, which is rare to find in Christie’s novels. Instead the author offers new elements, characters and plots to satisfy the thirst of her readers.

A mismatched group of passengers board the Orient Express with Poirot and witness the most bizarre murder of the century. A famous criminal on the run, seeks help from the detective to avert mortal peril and is found dead, the next morning, with inexplicable knife stabs. The detective treads on the journey of catching the culprit or is it a heist which is carried by a group of culprits?

Please, please readers read this novel once. I assure you, you won’t be disappointed!

Before signing off today, I have a question for my readers. What would you like to read my next review about;a stand-alone or a book series? I would be waiting for your replies.

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Cheers!

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