AGATHA CHRISTIE PAGE
***UPDATED 23rd June 2009***
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Originally, this page was just to feature my ten favourite Agatha Christie novels, but I have recently started replacing my old books with newer ones from E-Bay.
I have been an Agatha Christie fan from the mid sixties when my school friend Jeff introduced me to TEN LITTLE NIGGERS . He had just read it himself and instead of telling me the story, we acted it out in the playground at break time :)) I played Blore, Jeff played all the other parts, giving me Blore's lines when I needed to speak!!! Well, we WERE young!!
After that I started collecting the paperbacks. I soon collected a full set.
However, in later years when times were hard, I sold the complete collection at a car boot sale. It wasn't long before I started missing my old Agatha's and about six or seven years ago I started re-collecting them.
The most difficult part was getting again the old covers that I knew and loved. The first book on this page, THE ABC MURDERS, is a good example of the covers I required. The two white bands at the top featuring the name and title of the book and the white band at the bottom showing FONTANA BOOKS. Mainly available in the mid 60's, the earliest example I have of these is 1964, the latest being 1976 although they seemed to have changed the design, missing out the bottom white band, on the majority of the books by 1971.
If the same book was printed by FONTANA and PAN I always tended to go for the FONTANA version although the PAN covers of the same era were pretty good too.
So here are all the books I currently have. Some are being updated when I get a better copy. There are 86 different books but at the bottom of the page I have a selection of books for which I have two covers. This is for a variety of reasons and, apart from SAD CYPRESS & THE HOLLOW, these second covers are not the usual versions I collect. A ♠ symbol will be found to the right of a book title to denote an alternative cover below. Click the symbol to move to the alternative cover section. Finally, I have collected four Continental Editions which will now have a section of their own after the alternate cover section. A € symbol will be found to the right of a book title to denote a Continental cover.
I'm no book reviewer but I will try to put some comments by each to give my opinion of them. Ten of them will have a mark by them ☼ showing my favourite ten novels in no particular order. Clicking on this icon here will take you to my first top ten book. Then clicking on the same symbol next to the book will take you to the next one and so on. Five will have a mark № showing my least favourite books again in no particular order, once again clicking on the subsequent icons will move you down the bottom 5 list. The two dates next to each book will be the original publication year and then the year this particular version was issued.
Books are listed alphabetically. To jump to a certain letter, just click the appropriate letter below:-
B C D E F H L M N O P S T U W Alternate Covers Continental Covers
So, in alphabetical (ABC ☺ ) order, here we go:-
ABC MURDERS, THE (Poirot/Hastings)
Straight away a top tenner. Perfect example of Agatha Christie at her best. Poirot & Hastings go hunting together again on the trail of the mysterious ABC. Great stuff - up there in the top three. (Told in the first person by Arthur Hastings but with a few chapters in the third person)
ADVENTURE OF THE CHRISTMAS PUDDING (Poirot/Miss Marple)
1960/1965
A collection of six short stories featuring five Poirot Stories (The title story, Mystery of The Spanish Chest, The Under Dog, Four & Twenty Blackbirds and The Dream) and one Miss Marple (Greenshaw's Folly). The latter is probably the weakest story but The Spanish Chest and Four & Twenty Blackbirds are in my view the best although the whole collection is a very enjoyable read.
AFTER THE FUNERAL (Poirot)
1953/1969
This is an example of the later FONTANA books without the bottom white strip and thus one I am trying to replace. However, not all of her books appeared in the original style so hopefully am not searching in vain.
This is quite a good, well constructed book but not really one of my favourites. At Richard Abernethie's Funeral, Sister Cora suggests that he was murdered. Sheer tactlessness, or so the rest of the family thought...until Cora was found murdered with a hatchet the following day!
APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH (Poirot)
1938/1969
A shorter book than normal covering only 158 pages to her normal 190, but still a good read. How we all silently cheer when the overbearing domineering Mrs. Boynton is found dead. Suspects are plenty, but is it only her family to which her death brings freedom??
AT BERTRAM'S HOTEL (Miss Marple)
1965/1969
Miss Marple returns to Bertram's Hotel in London after a very long absence but finds things have not changed at all. A Crime syndicate, a missing Clergyman and the Murder of the Doorman proves to Miss Marple that Bertram's is not all it seems. A good read.
BIG FOUR, THE (Poirot/Hastings)
1927/1965
Like APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH, a shorter book than normal. Poirot and Hastings are pitted against the Big Four, a Chinaman, a French Woman, an American and the notorious number 4 who are out for world domination. This is an odd book. In some ways almost like a collection of short stories. It's great fun but highly far fetched. (Told in the first person by Arthur Hastings)
BLACK COFFEE (Poirot/Hastings)
1997/1999
A play adapted as a novel by Charles Osborne featuring Poirot, Hastings & Inspector Japp. The only time that Hastings is a character and not the narrator. I have only read this book once when I originally bought it a few years back and must admit I cannot remember much about it, but was not all that impressed. Maybe on a second reading...!
BODY IN THE LIBRARY, THE (Miss Marple)
1942/1970
Another classic Miss Marple case. The body of an unknown blonde is found on the hearthrug in Colonel and Mrs. Bantry's Library. How did she get there and what does a missing Schoolgirl have to do with the mystery. Miss Marple and Dolly Bantry investigate.
BY THE PRICKING OF MY THUMBS (Tommy & Tuppence)
1968/1971
Poirot and Miss Marple seemed never to age throughout their books but Tommy & Tuppence went through the natural aging process. In the 20s they were young Adventurers by the time this novel was written they have reached their late 50s early 60s. Tuppence starts investigating the disappearance of an old lady from an old people's home and ends up getting coshed and eventually meeting a mass murderer in the secret room of an old house. Vintage stuff.
CARDS ON THE TABLE (Poirot/Mrs. Oliver)
1936/1968
One of my favourites just missing out on the Top Ten. Introduced to Mrs. Ariadne Oliver in this book, the lady crime novelist some say loosely based on Christie herself. Oliver had a Finn detective who she hated, very reminiscent of Christie's eventual dislike for Poirot. In this case, only one of four people could have murdered the elegant and dangerous Mr. Shaitana during a game of Bridge. While Shaitana sits in an armchair by the fire, one player while Dummy stabs him. Poirot has to use all his skill to uncover the murderer.
CARIBBEAN MYSTERY, A (Miss Marple)
1964/1976
Recovering from an illness, Miss Marple's nephew Raymond West pays for a trip to the Caribbean for his favourite Aunt. Here, Miss Marple meets Major Palgrave who tells her he has a picture of a murderer. When Palgrave dies, Miss Marple is convinced that the murderer is there on the Island. She enlists the help of crippled millionaire Mr. Rafiel. A great story with some superb dialogue between Marple and Rafiel.
CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS (Poirot) ♠
☼
1959/1968
Another top tenner. Poirot is brought into the story at a fairly late stage but is none the worse for that. No reason can I give for the inclusion of this in my top ten but have always enjoyed the story immensely. Miss Bulstrode is a wonderful character along with the tragic and fussy Miss Chadwick. Caught by a red herring I was totally unprepared for the unmasking of the murderer at the end and maybe that sticking in my mind puts this up near the top.
CLOCKS, THE (Poirot)
1963/1970
A slightly longer book than usual and Poirot included almost as an afterthought as the story ticks along quite nicely without him. Strange given Christie's obvious dislike of the character she should include him in such a small role. The story is not a great one but it does give you furiously to think. What is the purpose of The Clocks found in the room with the dead man...and who, indeed, IS the dead man?? (Told in the first person by Colin Lamb and in the third person)
CROOKED HOUSE
1949/1969
One of Agatha Christie's personal favourites. Old Aristide Leonides is poisoned and it is apparent that the murderer is one of the family. A pretty standard synopsis but the revelation at the end is pretty staggering. Not in my top ten but one of her best. (Told in the first person by Charles Hayward)
CURTAIN (Poirot/Hastings)
1975/1977
Written in the forties, this was not released until 1975. Poirot and Hastings return to Styles, the scene of Poirot's first case. Poirot is now confined to a wheelchair and has to rely on Hastings to uncover an attempted murder. A sad book featuring the demise of Poirot but still a great read. (Told in the first person by Arthur Hastings)
DEAD MAN'S FOLLY (Poirot/Mrs. Oliver)
1956/1970
Written the year I was born, once again Poirot is teamed up with Mrs. Oliver who has been asked to arrange a Murder Hunt at a garden fete. When the girl playing the victim is found murdered and the hostess, Lady Stubbs, goes missing Mrs. Oliver's Murder Hunt is a game no longer.
DEATH COMES AS THE END
1944/1971
Set on the Banks of The Nile 4000 years ago. When elderly landowner Imhotep brings home a new Concubine she spreads hatred and unrest through Imhotep's family. When she falls from a cliff and is killed, the family believe it to be the end of their troubles. But as Imhotep's family die one by one he begins to believe he has been cursed by the spirit of his dead bride. This is a great book with bodies galore. Plenty of clues to the murderer but I was still surprised by the ending.
DEATH IN THE CLOUDS (Poirot)
1935/1970
An old French moneylender, Madame Giselle, is found dead on a cross channel flight from France. At first she appears to be the victim of a wasp sting but a poison dart from a blowpipe is discovered under her seat. Poirot is faced with the task of discovering how the seemingly impossible death occurred.
NB One amusing scene in this book is the jury bringing in a verdict of murder against Poirot because a blowpipe had been found hidden in his seat.
DEATH ON THE NILE (Poirot)
☼ 1937/1969
When beautiful Linnet Doyle is murdered on board a luxury Nile Cruiser suspicion falls on Jacqueline de Bellefort who had already threatened to shoot her for stealing her fiance, Simon. But, Jacqueline could not have possibly shot Linnet.....! This is one of Christie's finest novels and perfectly covers the age old love triangle. Classic.
1954/1969
Not in my top ten novels but definitely in my top three book covers list. Hilary Craven has finished with life but when she is offered the chance to impersonate the dead wife of a missing scientist she finds herself caught up with an organization that arranges the disappearance of scientific geniuses to an unknown destination. One of Agatha Christie's better "spy" stories.
DUMB WITNESS (Poirot/Hastings)
1937/1966
When elderly Emily Arundell dies, suspicion falls on to one of her family. Only one person knows the truth...a terrier called Bob. Fairly run of the mill book, not one of my favourites. (Told in the first person by Arthur Hastings but with the first four chapters in the third person)
ELEPHANTS CAN REMEMBER (Poirot/Mrs. Oliver)
№
1972/1975
The first of my five least favourite books. It's not really a bad book but I just found it a little bit obvious. Poirot and Mrs. Oliver attempt to uncover the truth of an apparent double suicide many years ago.
1967/1970
This one was totally different to any of her other novels and, although, perhaps not "Her Most Devastating Surprise Ever" as the book cover claims, it does come very near. (Told in the first person by Michael Rogers)
EVIL UNDER THE SUN (Poirot)
1941/1972
Ah, the eternal triangle again. Beautiful Arlene Marshall is strangled on a beach at a luxury hotel and there is no shortage of suspects. Another good Poirot mystery and once again on first reading a real surprise climax.
1943/1968
Caroline Crale was convicted and imprisoned for the murder of her husband Amyas but died in prison. Sixteen years later, her daughter, convinced of her Mother's innocence, asks Hercule Poirot to reinvestigate the crime. Poirot asks the five other suspects at the time to write a full account of the tragedy and using his little grey cells uncovers the real truth. Excellent story and one of Poirot's best.
FOUR FIFTY FROM PADDINGTON (Miss Marple) ♠
1957/1970
Miss Marple's friend, Mrs. McGillicuddy, witnesses a murder on a
passing train. Unable to convince the Police of the event Miss Marple starts her
own investigations. One of Miss Marple's best.
HALLOWE'EN PARTY (Poirot/Mrs. Oliver)
1969/1972
A young girl claims to have seen a murder but no one takes her seriously until she is found drowned in a tin bath used for apple bobbing at a Hallowe'en Party. Mrs. Oliver calls in Hercule Poirot to investigate. Probably Poirot's best 60s novel.
HERCULE POIROT'S CHRISTMAS (Poirot)
☼
1938/1964
Another classic Poirot story in my top ten. A great example of the locked door murder. Old Simeon Lee is found with his throat cut but how did the murderer escape from the room undetected. Another shock climax. Great book.
HICKORY DICKORY DOCK (Poirot)
1955/1965
Another favourite of mine although just missing my top ten. A spate of petty thefts and acts of vandalism at a young people's hostel causes Miss Lemon's sister, Mrs Hubbard, to consult Poirot who senses evil behind the thefts, proved out when the first of three murders entails.
NB An amusing part of this book occurs near the beginning when Poirot discovers A) That the formidable Miss Lemon has made three errors in a letter, B) That Miss Lemon actually has a sister and C) That Miss Lemon's first name is Felicity.
HOLLOW, THE (Poirot) ♠
№
1946/1964
Another of my bottom five favourites. The story is well told but I just find myself yawning when I read this one through although the character of Lucy Angkatell is a joy throughout. Frankly, I couldn't care less who shot John Christow. I only discovered that this cover existed in September 2006 so I still search on for other rare covers.
HOUND OF DEATH
1933/1964
Another collection of short stories, mainly with a supernatural theme. (The Title Story, The Red Signal, The Fourth Man, The Gipsy, The Lamp, The Wireless, Witness For The Prosecution, Mystery of The Blue Jar, The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael, The Call of Wings, The Last Séance & SOS). Of these, the best three are The Title Story, Wireless and of course The Witness For The Prosecution. I have always found The Last Séance a bit creepy and ghastly!!! A good collection of stories.
LABOURS OF HERCULES, THE (Poirot) ♠
1947/1969
Here's another collection, this time Hercule Poirot undertakes twelve cases emulating the ancient Labours of Hercules. (The Nemean Lion, The Lernean Hydra, The Arcadian Deer, The Erymanthian Boar, The Augean Stables, The Stymphalean Birds, The Cretan Bull, The Horses of Diomedes, The Girdle of Hyppolita, The Flock of Geryon, The Apples of The Hesperides, The Capture of Cerebus). This is a great set of stories with only The Horses of Diomedes being a slight let down. My favourites are the Augean Stables and The Stymphalean Birds.
1934/1966
And yet ANOTHER set of short stories! (The Title Story, Philomel Cottage, The Girl on The Train, Sing a Song of Sixpence, The Manhood of Edward Robinson, Accident, Jane in Search of a Job, A Fruitful Sunday, Mr. Eastwood's Adventure, The Golden Ball, The Rajah's Emerald & Swan Song). A bit of a mish mash this lot. None of the stories are bad but some stretch the bounds of reality. People seem to marry each other after only a few minutes with each other in some stories!! Philomel Cottage is by far the best story and you feel as trapped as Alix Martin as you read this. Riveting stuff.
LORD EDGWARE DIES (Poirot/Hastings)
1933/1965
Another classic Poirot tale. When Lord Edgware is found murdered suspicion falls on his wife who was seen entering the house the same evening and had already stated that she would like to be rid of him. But Lady Edgware was at a party on the night in question, so who was the Lady who called on Lord Edgware??? (Told in the first person by Arthur Hastings)
1924/1970
When Anne Beddingfeld witnesses a fatal accident in a London Tube Station and learns of the death of a woman in a lonely country house the only link seems to be a Man in a Brown Suit. Using a scrap of paper she has found she boards the SS Kilmorden Castle en route for Africa. Here she teams up with Suzanne Blair and Sir Eustace Pedlar, the owner of the country house, to seek out the Man in The Brown Suit. This is a highly entertaining read and Sir Eustace's diary entries throughout the book are highly amusing. (Told in the first person by Anne Beddingfeld with extracts from Eustace Pedlar's Diary and an opening chapter in the third person)
MIRROR CRACK'D FROM SIDE TO SIDE, THE (Miss Marple)
1962/1972
Film star Marina Gregg buys Dolly Bantry's old house and throws a Garden Party during which a guest dies. When it is discovered that the guest drank from a glass meant for Marina, Miss Marple investigates. A great book and some amusing moments between Miss Marple and her over cautious companion Miss Knight.
MISS MARPLE'S FINAL CASES (Miss Marple) €
1979/1981
Another compilation this time featuring eight short stories, six featuring Miss Marple. (Sanctuary, Strange Jest, Tape Measure Murder, The Case of The Caretaker, The Case of The Perfect Maid, Miss Marple Tells a Story, The Dressmaker's Doll, In a Glass Darkly). The Dressmaker's Doll is a weird story about a rag doll which seems to have a life of its own and In a Glass Darkly deals with a premonition of murder. Neither story features Miss Marple.
MOUSETRAP, THE & SELECTED PLAYS
1993/1994
Book featuring the scripts and stage movements for four of Agatha Christie's plays. In order, And Then There Were None (Ten Little Niggers), Appointment With Death, The Hollow & The Mousetrap. Appointment and The Hollow have Poirot missing.
MOVING FINGER, THE (Miss Marple)
1943/1965
A spate of poison pen letters culminate in the death of the Bank Managers wife. Miss Marple appears fairly late in the day in this novel and although a good read is not a personal favourite of mine. (Told in the first person by Jerry Burton)
MRS. McGINTY'S DEAD (Poirot/Mrs. Oliver)
1952/1967
When elderly charwoman Mrs. McGinty is found dead her lodger is arrested and convicted of the crime. However, Superintendent Spence is not convinced they have the right murderer and turns to his friend, Hercule Poirot, to investigate further. A bottle of ink and a newspaper article set Poirot on the right track. This is a very good book and teams up Poirot and Mrs. Oliver for the second time. There are also some amusing moments as the meticulous Poirot suffers a sub standard boarding house.
MURDER AT THE VICARAGE (Miss Marple)
1930/1964
The first story to feature Miss Marple, the "worst cat in the village"! Looked on fondly by many Christie fans I have never really enjoyed this one...I must be on a different wavelength. It's very well constructed but, unlike many Christie novels that I can read through in a sitting, this one takes a bit longer. (Told in the first person by The Reverend Leonard Clement)
MURDER IN MESOPOTAMIA (Poirot)
1936/1971
The wife on an archaeologist lives in fear of her life. Thought by many to be over dramatizing they have to reconsider when she is found dead from a blow to the head. Has her ex husband returned from the dead?? Poirot investigates. Good story. (Told in the first person by Amy Leatheran)
1937/1964
A collection of four short stories. (Murder in The Mews, The Incredible Theft, Dead Man's Mirror & Triangle at Rhodes). The title story here is the best with The Incredible Theft being, for me, the least interesting. This book, like Destination Unknown, is in my top three book covers.
MURDER IS ANNOUNCED, A (Miss Marple)
1950/1964
No Miss Marple books made my top ten but this one came the closest. A murder is announced at Little Paddocks at 6.30pm. Friends flock to the house and at 6.30 the lights go out and a shot is fired. Probably one of the sadder Christie's with two nice characters getting bumped off, but another great revelation at the end. Probably my 11th favourite.
MURDER IS EASY
Like A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED this book was in my original top ten but has since dropped out. An ex-Policeman, Luke Fitzwilliam, travels to London by train. In his carriage is an old lady who says she is going to Scotland Yard to report some murders. Luke takes it with a pinch of salt until he discovers the old lady has been knocked down by a car and killed. He travels down to Wychwood Under Ashe to investigate himself. I always loved this cover but never worked out where the spider fitted in!
MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD, THE (Poirot)
1926/1966
Probably Agatha Christie's most famous novel along with MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS & TEN LITTLE NIGGERS. Who can see the end of THIS one coming. Classic stuff! (Told in the first person by Doctor Sheppard)
MURDER ON THE LINKS (Poirot/Hastings)
1923/1968
Poirot travels to France to investigate the death of a Millionaire and comes up against the famous French Detective, Monsieur Giraud. Neither hit it off together. Hastings falls in love and marries his "Cinderella". A very early Christie and one of the great Poirot stories. (Told in the first person by Arthur Hastings)
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (Poirot)
1934/1964
When a notorious child murderer is found dead, stabbed twelve times, on The Orient Express, Poirot is asked to investigate the crime but it seems everyone on the train had an alibi. Another real classic Christie.
MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES, THE (Poirot/Hastings)
1920/1973
Agatha Christie's first novel and first case for Poirot & Hastings. Eighty Five Years old and still fresh and original. Mrs. Inglethorpe is poisoned and all suspect her younger husband, but he has a cast iron alibi. (Told in the first person by Arthur Hastings)
MYSTERIOUS MR. QUIN, THE
1930/1966
Elderly Mr. Satterthwaite meets the mysterious Mr. Quin, a man who appears to arrive out of nowhere but is always around when lovers are in trouble or there is murder in the air. With his help, Mr. Satterthwaite solves twelve unusual mysteries. (The Coming of Mr. Quin, The Shadow on The Glass, At The Bells & Motley, The Sign in The Sky, The Soul of The Croupier, The Man From The Sea, The Voice in The Dark, The Face of Helen, The Dead Harlequin, The Bird With The Broken Wing, The World's End, Harlequin's Lane). An unusual and interesting collection.
MYSTERY OF THE BLUE TRAIN (Poirot)
1928/1964
When a young Heiress is murdered on board the famous Blue Train, suspicion falls between her estranged and financially in need husband and her lover The Comte de la Roche. Poirot investigates the crime with help from a young lady, Katherine Grey, who has inherited a fortune and is holidaying in the Riviera. Excellent Poirot Story.
NB Katherine Grey before her inheritance, lived in a small village called St. Mary Mead but did not once run into Miss Marple!! ☺
☼ 1941/1964
Tommy & Tuppence Beresford were always a great favourite of mine and this one sneaked it's way into my top ten favourites. Tommy is sent to a Seaside Guest House to track down two German Fifth Columnists, one Male one Female, codenamed N or M but is not allowed to tell Tuppence. Tommy arrives at the Guest House and is introduced to the other guests who include Mrs. Blenkinsop...who just happens to be Tuppence. Very light hearted and enjoyable like most of this series of books.
NEMESIS (Miss Marple)
1971/1974
A follow up story to 1964's A CARIBBEAN MYSTERY. When Jason Rafiel dies a posthumous letter arrives offering Miss Marple a lot of money if she will undertake an investigation...without giving her any details at all. Unusual but highly entertaining read.
ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE (Poirot)
1940/1972
Poirot's dentist is found shot and later, one of his patients, Miss Sainsbury Seale is found murdered and her face battered to a pulp. Poirot's only clue...a shoe buckle! Not one of my favourite books this one, she wrote a lot better.
ORDEAL BY INNOCENCE
1958/1968
Jacko Argyle is convicted of murdering his Mother and dies in prison. Two years later, a stranger arrives at the Argyle household and brings shattering new evidence. This one has a good plot but has never really been one of my favourites.
1961/1967
Writer, Mark Easterbrook, investigates a Murder Incorporated run by three white witches. Can these three old ladies really dish out death from a distance?? Mrs. Oliver appears in this novel, the first of two without Poirot. Good read. (Told in the first person by Mark Easterbrook and in the third person)
PARKER PYNE INVESTIGATES (Mrs. Oliver)
1934/1965
And coincidentally, the second of Mrs. Oliver's solo appearances, although in a much smaller role. Mr. Parker Pyne runs a bureau for unhappy people and takes on twelve cases. (The Cases of:- The Middle Aged Wife, The Discontented Soldier, The Distressed Lady, The Discontented Husband, The City Clerk & The Rich Woman. Have You Got Everything You Want, The Gate of Baghdad, The House at Shiraz, The Pearl of Price, Death on The Nile (No Relation!!) & The Oracle at Delphi). Never been too sure about this book. Perhaps it's me but some of the latter solutions seem to be arrived at with the flimsiest evidence although The Case of The Rich Woman is about the best story.
PARTNERS IN CRIME (Tommy & Tuppence)
1929/1967
Tommy & Tuppence are asked to take over a Detective Agency to help round up a gang of villains. They are told to watch out for blue envelopes with a Russian stamp and any client mentioning the number 16. They take over as Mr. Blunt and his secretary Miss Robinson watching developments and solving genuine cases along the way. As usual, this book has it's fair share of thrills and laughs. The banter between Tommy & Tuppence is as always great fun.
PASSENGER TO FRANKFURT €
№ 1970/1972
Oh dear. I have read every Agatha Christie book twice and in all other cases a whole lot more. This one I managed to get through a second time but have had no longing to re-read it. For my mind, the worst book she ever wrote. I cannot even remember the plot! Sorry.
PERIL AT END HOUSE (Poirot/Hastings) ♠
1932/1971
Someone shoots at Nick Buckley as she sits talking to Poirot. She later tells him that she has already had three escapes from death. Hercule Poirot vows to guard her. At a firework party a body is found...but it is not Nick Buckley! A great story with the teaming again of Poirot and Hastings. (Told in the first person by Arthur Hastings)
POCKET FULL OF RYE, A (Miss Marple)
1953/1970
"They're all very unpleasant people". A just description of the characters in this book. Rex Fortescue (The King) is poisoned at his office. His young wife, Adele (The Queen), the original prime suspect is poisoned while "Eating bread and honey". But when the maid is found strangled in the garden after hanging out the clothes with a clothes peg on her nose, Miss Marple hurries along to the Fortescue house. Not one of my favourites but still a good read.
NB With this book we now had three stories made up from the first lines of the Nursery Rhyme. Sing a Song of Sixpence (THE LISTERDALE MYSTERY), A Pocket Full of Rye (This Book), Four and Twenty Blackbirds (ADVENTURE OF THE XMAS PUDDING). Shame we never had a story called Baked in a Pie to complete it! ☺
POIROT INVESTIGATES (Poirot/Hastings)
1924/1969
An early collection of Poirot short stories. (The Adventure of "The Western Star", The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor, The Adventure of The Cheap Flat, The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge, The Million Dollar Bond Robbery, The Adventure of The Egyptian Tomb, The Jewel Robbery at "The Grand Metropolitan", The Kidnapped Prime Minister, The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim, The Adventure of The Italian Nobleman & The Case of The Missing Will.) (Told in the first person by Arthur Hastings)
POIROT'S EARLY CASES (Poirot/Hastings) €
1974/1979
A collection of short stories written in the 20s but not issued until 1974. Most feature Arthur Hastings except "The Third Floor Flat", "Wasps' Nest", "Problem at Sea" & "How Does Your Garden Grow". (The Affair at The Victory Ball, The Adventure of The Clapham Cook, The Cornish Mystery, The Adventure of Johnny Waverly, The Double Clue (Which introduces the Countess Vera Rossakoff for whom Poirot has always had a secret fondness), The King of Clubs, The Lemesurier Inheritance, The Lost Mine, The Plymouth Express (A very similar story to THE MYSTERY OF THE BLUE TRAIN), The Chocolate Box (Poirot's only failure), The Submarine Plans (Almost identical plot to THE INCREDIBLE THEFT from MURDER IN THE MEWS), The Third Floor Flat, Double Sin, The Market Basing Mystery, Wasps' Nest, The Veiled Lady, Problem at Sea & How Does Your Garden Grow). All in all a better collection that POIROT INVESTIGATES. (Told in the first person by Arthur Hastings except "The Third Floor Flat", "Wasps' Nest", "Problem at Sea" & "How Does Your Garden Grow".)
POSTERN OF FATE (Tommy & Tuppence)
№ 1973/1976
Sadly have to give a Tommy & Tuppence novel the thumbs down. There is still good banter between the two but the story just lacks something for me. Tuppence finds an old book in which a boy had written "Mary Jordan did not die naturally". Tuppence has to look way back to the 20s to try and find out the truth. Even in FIVE LITTLE PIGS Poirot only went back 18 years!!
PROBLEM AT POLLENSA BAY (Various)
1991/1993
A collection of short stories written in various years featuring some of Agatha Christie's famous sleuths. (Problem at Pollensa Bay (Parker Pyne), The Second Gong (Poirot - later expanded as DEAD MANS MIRROR from MURDER IN THE MEWS), Yellow Iris (Poirot - Remade as SPARKLING CYANIDE), The Harlequin Tea Set (Mr Satterthwaite & Mr. Quin), The Regatta Mystery (Parker Pyne), The Love Detectives (Mr Satterthwaite & Mr. Quin), Next To a Dog, Magnolia Blossom. Of these I found Next to a Dog probably her most depressing story and it has a very sudden end - weird!
☼ 1940/1966
Did Eleanor Carlisle murder her Aunt and Mary Gerrard, the girl who stole her fiance?? Poirot is in a race against time to discover the truth before Eleanor is executed. Perfect story and one more in my top ten.
SECRET ADVERSARY, THE (Tommy & Tuppence)
1922/1969
The first Tommy and Tuppence story is a great book. The vanishing Jane Finn holds a vital secret and it is down to the Young Adventurers to track her down.
SECRET OF CHIMNEYS, THE
1925/1967
A classic spy romp featuring stolen letters, a fabulous jewel and The Comrades of The Red Hand. Introduced to Lady Eileen "Bundle" Brent also to appear in THE SEVEN DIALS MYSTERY" and her Father, Lord Caterham - a great character!
1929/1967
Bundle Brent is back when a practical joke goes wrong. A secret organization is operating from the notorious Seven Dials Club in London. When two murders ensue, Bundle sets out to discover the secret of the Seven Dials. Classic stuff.
SITTAFORD MYSTERY, THE
1931/1973
During a séance, a message comes through that a near neighbour, Captain Trevelyan has been murdered. His best friend, Major Burnaby, travels through a terrible snowstorm to find that the message was right. Not a bad book and the reason for the murder is the most bizarre I have ever come across so it's quite a surprise at the end.
SLEEPING MURDER (Miss Marple)
1976/1978
Gwenda Reed, a New Zealander, and her husband, Giles move into a house in Devon. Almost immediately, Gwenda finds that she knows the house but has never been to England before. When she suddenly remembers seeing a body of a woman called Helen lying dead in the Hall but can remember no more, Miss Marple begins to investigate. A cracking good Miss Marple story.
1945/1964
In a luxurious Hotel, six people sit down to dinner at the same table in memory of Rosemary Barton who had sprawled dead across the same table a year previously. On drinking a toast to her memory, one of the six goes purple in the face and dies of cyanide poisoning! Not a bad book but not one I can read through in one sitting.
SPIDER'S WEB
2000/2001
Another novelisation of an Agatha Christie play by Charles Osborne. Clarissa Hailsham-Brown is always daydreaming and wonders what she would do if she came down and found a body in the library. When this does actually happen she gets some friends to help her get rid of the body but before they can do this they are visited by the Police. This is a really great book and definitely the best and most amusing of the play novelisations.
☼ 1948/1970
Maybe the most surprising entry into my top ten favourites but I just think this is such a great book. Gordon Cloade is killed in an air raid in London and his fortune passes to his young wife, Rosaleen. Five people who have been promised a share of the fortune and who are in desperate need of the money have murder in their hearts...but when murder comes, Rosaleen is not the victim. I like this so much. I think, because for once I thought I'd read all the clues correctly and knew the murderer but a last minute twist proved me wrong. One I read over and over again.
☼ 1939/1973
Well, what can you say? I'm sure most Christie fans will have this in their top three. Ten people invited to an island are accused of various murders by a mysterious voice. Their host, Mr. Owen, is nowhere to be found and as the guests are murdered one by one it soon becomes apparent that Mr. Owen is one of them. Brilliant!
THEY CAME TO BAGHDAD
№
1951/1965
One of Agatha Christie's spy type stories that for me just seems to drag along. One of the bottom five.
THEY DO IT WITH MIRRORS (Miss Marple)
1952/1969
Miss Marple goes to stay with an old school friend whose husband runs a home for Juvenile Delinquents. When murder is committed, it is assumed that one of the inmates is responsible. But is the murderer closer to home? Not bad but not a favourite Marple story.
THIRD GIRL (Poirot/Mrs. Oliver)
1966/1968
A young girl comes to see Hercule Poirot to say she thinks she has murdered someone but suddenly runs out saying Poirot is too old. Along with Mrs. Oliver, he tries to track down the missing girl and investigate her story. I quite like this book but not a Poirot great.
THIRTEEN PROBLEMS, THE (Miss Marple)
1932/1971
A group of friends decide to spend an evening testing the other's detective skills and each tells a story of which they know the outcome. Only Miss Marple gets them all right!! (The Tuesday Night Club, The Idol House of Astarte, Ingots of Gold, The Bloodstained Pavement, Motive v Opportunity, The Thumb Mark of St. Peter, The Blue Geranium, The Companion, The Four Suspects, A Christmas Tragedy, The Herb of Death, The Affair at The Bungalow, Death by Drowning). Quite a few good stories in this set.
THREE ACT TRAGEDY (Poirot)
1935/1969
A quiet Clergyman is poisoned at a party and no trace of a motive can be found. When eminent surgeon Sir Bartholomew Strange is also poisoned at a party, Poirot tries to find a link between the two. Good story with an original plot.
THREE BLIND MICE (Various)
Various/1981
Not one of the English set but an American Import by DELL. THREE BLIND MICE is, of course, the short story which we all know as THE MOUSETRAP. Great story of course. The other stories in this book are all available elsewhere. (Three Blind Mice, Strange Jest (Marple), Tape Measure Murder (Marple), Case of The Perfect Maid (Marple), Case of The Caretaker (Marple), Third Floor Flat (Poirot), Adventure of Johnny Waverly (Poirot), Four & Twenty Blackbirds (Poirot), The Love Detectives (Mr. Satterthwaite & Mr. Quin)
TOWARDS ZERO
☼
1944/1968
The ninth of my top tenners. Tennis star Neville Strange is staying with his boyhood guardian Lady Tressilian. Staying as well are his current and ex wife. An atmosphere in the house culminates with the discovery of the dead body of Lady Tressilian and plenty of clues to Neville as the murderer. But is it all a frame up?? Love the construction of this story and the eternal triangle scenes. Great book.
1999/2000
The last play novelisation from Charles Osborne. A motorist runs his car into a ditch and makes his way to an isolated house where he finds a woman standing over the dead body of her husband with a gun in her hand. A fairly grim tale with a real twist at the end.
1997/1998
Another collection of short stories featuring crime, mystery and love. (The House of Dreams - a spooky story, the first Christie wrote, The Actress - A woman takes revenge against a blackmailer, The Edge - A Taut thriller, Christmas Adventure - Featuring Hercule Poirot, later published as THE ADVENTURE OF THE XMAS PUDDING, The Lonely God - Two people find love through an old museum idol, Manx Gold - A contest run on The Isle of Man in 1929 to find treasure used the basis of this story for its clues, Within a Wall - A tragic love triangle, The Mystery of The Baghdad Chest - Another Poirot story which appeared later as THE MYSTERY OF THE SPANISH CHEST, While The Light Lasts - An unexpected visitor arrives from beyond the grave. An unusual but interesting collection.
WHY DIDN'T THEY ASK EVANS?
☼
1934/1966
Well, I started this list with one of my top ten books, and here, right near the end is the last one.. I love this book. It's very early Tommy & Tuppence but with Bobby Jones and Lady Frances Derwent instead. The classic scene of the dying man saying "Why Didn't They Ask Evans" and then snuffing it :) Oh its classic stuff!!
WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION & SELECTED PLAYS
1993/1995
Book featuring the scripts and stage movements for four more Agatha Christie's plays. Companion book to THE MOUSETRAP & SELECTED PLAYS this features (in order) Witness For The Prosecution, Towards Zero, Verdict & Go Back For Murder (The play of FIVE LITTLE PIGS, once again with Hercule Poirot removed)!
CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS 1959/1981
The only reason that I have this is that I am a cat lover and really like this 1981 cover!
ENDLESS NIGHT
1967/1972
This is the film cover for this book and as I am a fan of Hayley Mills, this was a must.
FOUR FIFTY FROM PADDINGTON 1957/1964
Yet another film cover, and a classic Margaret Rutherford shot.
THE HOLLOW 1946/1971
Like SAD CYPRESS, this book came out with a different cover in the same style that I collect.
LABOURS OF HERCULES 1947/1973
Although I always go for the FONTANA editions of Agatha Christie books I did like some of the old PAN covers too. This one is great! There's just so much in the picture.
PERIL AT END HOUSE 1932/1966
Another good PAN cover but as was released in 1966, it sadly means that no good FONTANA version exists
SAD CYPRESS
1940/1970
This is the only example of the style of cover I collect with two different versions. This 1970 version is the one I originally had and I like the cover. The 1966 version, above, I picked up in a second hand bookshop and, once again, really liked the cover so have kept that one too. NB - I have recently found a second version of THE HOLLOW in the style that I collect
ENDLESS NIGHT
1967/1972
MISS MARPLE'S FINAL CASES (Miss Marple)
1979/1980
PASSENGER TO FRANKFURT 1970/1971
POIROT'S EARLY CASES (Poirot/Hastings)
1974/1975
SO THAT FINISHES MY LIST OF 86 + BOOKS. HOPE SOME PEOPLE MAY LOOK AT THIS LIST AND MAYBE AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH ME. BE NICE TO HEAR FROM ANY CHRISTIE FANS. THANKS FOR READING.
PETE
e mail - peter.titshall@ntlworld.com
