She left behind a legacy of over 80 novels, 19 plays, and hundreds of short stories, which have been translated into more than 100 languages, and sold over two billion copies worldwide.
She is the best-selling author of all time, and the most widely read writer in any language, after Shakespeare and the Bible.
She has been honoured with many awards and recognitions, such as the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America, the Order of the British Empire, and the Guinness World Record for the best-selling fiction writer of all time.
Why Read Agatha Christie Books?
Agatha Christie books are not only entertaining and thrilling, but also educational and enlightening. They offer a glimpse into the history, culture, and society of the 20th century, as well as the psychology and motivations of human beings.
They challenge the reader to use their logic, imagination, and intuition to solve the mysteries, and to appreciate the art and craft of storytelling. They also showcase the diversity and versatility of the crime fiction genre, and the genius and creativity of Agatha Christie, the queen of crime.
If you are looking for a good place to start, here are some of the best Agatha Christie books that everyone should read:
- The Mysterious Affair at Styles: The first novel featuring Hercule Poirot, who investigates the murder of a wealthy widow in an English country house.
- The Murder of Roger Ackroyd: A controversial and groundbreaking novel, where the narrator is not what he seems, and the twist is one of the most shocking in literature.
- And Then There Were None: A masterpiece of suspense, where ten strangers are invited to an isolated island, and one by one, they are killed according to a nursery rhyme.
- Murder on the Orient Express: A classic whodunit, where Poirot has to find the killer among a dozen passengers on a snowbound train.
- The Murder at the Vicarage: The first novel featuring Miss Marple, who investigates the murder of a disliked colonel in her village of St Mary Mead.
- The ABC Murders: A clever and complex novel, where Poirot faces a serial killer who follows an alphabetical pattern, and leaves a copy of the ABC Railway Guide at each crime scene.
- Death on the Nile: A romantic and exotic novel, where Poirot has to solve a murder on a luxury cruise on the Nile, involving a love triangle, a stolen pearl necklace, and a mysterious woman in a veil.
- The Mousetrap: A play that has been running continuously in London since 1952, where a group of strangers are trapped in a guest house during a snowstorm, and one of them is a murderer.
- The Witness for the Prosecution: A short story and a play, where a lawyer has to defend a man accused of murdering a rich widow, and faces a stunning revelation in court.
- Curtain: The last novel featuring Hercule Poirot, who returns to the scene of his first case, Styles, to face his final and most dangerous adversary.
Conclusion
Agatha Christie is a legend of crime fiction, and a master of storytelling. Her books are timeless and universal, appealing to readers of all ages, backgrounds, and tastes. They are full of mystery, suspense, humour, and charm, and they never fail to surprise and delight.
