Guest Review: Top 10 Agatha Christie Novels

So, here it is,  our very first guest article on Book Lovers Melbourne! Our subject this time around is the work of Agatha Christie, more specifically her novels. Listed as the best selling novelist of all time by The Guinness Book of Records, Christie's work has touched on almost everyone, if not in written, then in movie and TV formats. We've invited Babu Roy, one of our readers with a particular passion for Agatha Christie to give us his Top Ten of the queen of crime's works. Babu's interest in crime fiction as a genre developed early, when, in the 1970's as a child, he discovered Christie's works almost by accident. Beginning his adventures with Poirot, in the story Hickory Dickory Dock, (which he recalls as being inviting because it sounded like a nursery rhyme!)  and the relationship grew from there. Babu has, he tells us enthusiastically, re-read the Christie canon many times, so we can't think of a better person to bring you the first.....

Guest Top Ten....

When I thought of compiling a list of my top 10 Agatha Christie books, honestly, the first thing that I did was use Google, for two reasons - one: for a complete list of the books, and two: to see what others had rated as their top ten. Thankfully my order of ten doesn't match what I found on the net and so I'm happy. This really is MY personal Top 10!

10.  The Sittaford Mystery (1931)

Published in the US as ‘The Murder At Hazelmoor’, The Sittaford Mystery gives Christie an opportunity to indulge her passion for the paranormal with a story that links characters, through a seance, to the opening murder. Our main investigator in this story is amateur sleuth Emily Trefusis, working alongside inspector Narracott from the police. Red herrings abound as the plot unfolds.

9. Endless Night (1967)

Written later in her career, some people believe this to be one of Christie’s finest works which shows a slightly tougher style of writing emerging. She was intrigued by Gypsies, something that led to their inclusion in this twisting story, of which it is almost impossible to offer a summary without giving away too much of a spoiler!

8. Three Act Tragedy (1934)

The first appearance of Hercule Poirot in my list. A dinner party by an actor. Guests at the table. One of the guest is Poirot. A guest dies. No poison is found, so death by natural causes is declared. The actor is upset and confides so in Poirot.

Another party. The actor and Poirot are not there. The host suddenly dies. No poison is found at the scene but the coroner finds poison in the body but is puzzled as to how it was introduced. The first body is exhumed and poison is found there too. Assisted by the actor, Sir Charles Cartwright, Poirot gets in on the act himself.A great story in which it’s difficult to figure out the murderer before the end, but strangely in the American publication, the murderer’s motive is changed!

7. The Murder on the Links (1922)

A very early work, the novel features Poirot’s long-term friend and associate Arthur Hastings. Ok, I don’t really go for the romantic novels, but a touch of romance is always welcome for some. As well as our regular dose of murder, Christie sub-plots a love interest for Hastings. Set in France, Poirot is also given a suitable difficult rival in the French police. This was an enjoyable read and a book that I want to read again (it’s been years since I read it last).

6. ABC Murders (1936)

The Times Literary Supplement of 11 January 1936 concluded with a note of admiration for the plot that, "If Mrs. Christie ever deserts fiction for crime, she will be very dangerous: no one but Poirot will catch her."

Poirot finds himself on the trail of a serial killer with an eye for the railway timetable! A wonderfully clever twist in the tale, as always, as Christie leads us down the garden path once more. 

5. Curtain: Poirot's Last Case (1975)

This is another shocker. The end is a dazzler, as the title might suggest. This was, incidentally not the last Poirot written, but it was held back from publication for almost thirty years, so has no mention of Poirot's cases that took place in the intervening decades. 

Poirot and his friend Hastings have aged considerably from the earlier novels. Hastings, now a widower, and Poirot are drawn once again to the house at Styles where they solved their first case together. A series of earlier murders are linked to events at the house, which first Poirot, then, when the aged detective dies, Hastings, are drawn to solving, with the help of his old friend from the grave.

4. A Murder is Announced (1950)

The first Miss Marple story in the top ten, the tale begins with a notice in the newspaper announcing that a murder will take place. The intriguing plot revolves around "Little Paddocks" whose owner, Letitia Blacklock, decides to take the odd announcement in her stride. Of course, curious friends and neighbours find excuses to attend at the announced hour, when indeed, a murder does occur. By chance Miss Marple is staying at the hotel where the murder victim previously worked, so she manages to winkle her way into the investigation in her own wonderful style.

3. Crooked House (1948)

This was regarded by Agatha Christie as one of her two favourites. narrated in the first person by the character Charles Hayward, it tells a tale of inter-family intrigue in the family Leonides, a member of which Charles is due to marry. Being the son of the Police Commissioner, he takes it upon himself to investigate the deadly goings-on that ensue. As befits one of the author's favourites, the ending is suitably twisted, complicate and surprising in equal measure.

2. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926)

Don’t take anything for granted. This was the message that the Queen of Crime wanted to give when she wrote this book. Poirot is retired and has a cottage where he has a garden and just wants to avoid anything to do with his previous career. However, of course, this is not to be. First a widow dies, then a suitor of hers, Roger Ackroyd, who knew something about the death is himself killed. Poirot, against his better judgement, is pulled in to solve the murders. He is assisted by Doctor James Sheppard who, as well as fulfilling the role of Poirot's assistant, is also the narrator of the story.  

1: And Then There Were None (1939)

Published initially as Ten Little Niggers, I myself read two different titles And Then There Were None and Red Herring! Many a times, being a reader for whom English is a second language, I had wondered what the fish had to do with the tale until I discovered that it meant a false clue!

This is what I would call the ultimate mystery story. Eight people are invited to an island (either for employment or to meet friends). They are greeted by a couple who work as a butler and cook. All have been hired or invited by the couple, Mr. and Mrs. Owen.

As the day and night progress the characters start dying one by one. Someone or something is killing the people on the island, from which the people discover they cannot escape until the ferry returns in two days!

After 2 days, based on a note received, the police arrive and discover all ten people on the island, dead.

Who killed whom and why? well you'll vhave to read the book for yourself to discover the truth behind the mystery!

This is one book I would probably want to write a thesis on. That is the number of times I have read it.

Thanks for reading,

Babu Roy