How to read Agatha Christie books in order

Agatha Christie is the undisputed queen of crime. Her books have been delighting readers for over a century, known for twisty mysteries, unforgettable detectives and perfectly timed reveals. Christie’s novels enchant both first-time readers and longtime fans.

But with over 70 novels (66 of which are detective) and 150 short stories, where should you start, and in what order should you read Christie’s books?

Luckily, we’ve broken it down for you. Whether you want to follow publication order, focus on a particular detective, or dive straight into her most famous mysteries, here’s everything you need to know to read Agatha Christie books in order.

How to read the Hercule Poirot series in order

Hercule Poirot, the meticulous Belgian detective, is Christie’s first and most famous detective. He made his debut in The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920) and went on to capture the nation’s hearts in over 30 more books and countless stories. His adventures aren’t over just yet, as Christie’s estate has allowed new writers to take up the mantle.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920) is Agatha Christie's debut novel. Set in an English country manor, it follows Poirot as he investigates the poisoning of wealthy widow Emily Inglethorp, introducing readers to Christie's signature twists and ingenious plotting.

Here’s a list of the Hercules Poirot books in order:

1. The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920)
2. The Murder on the Links (1923)
3. Poirot Investigates (1924, short stories)
4. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926)
5. The Big Four (1927)
6. The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928)
7. Black Coffee (1930, play)
8. Peril at End House (1932)
9. Lord Edgware Dies (1933)
10. Murder on the Orient Express (1934)
11. Three Act Tragedy (1934)
12. Death in the Clouds (1935)
13. The ABC Murders (1936)
14. Murder in Mesopotamia (1936)
15. Cards on the Table (1936)
16. Dumb Witness (1937)
17. Death on the Nile (1937)
18. Murder in the Mews (1937, short stories)
19. Appointment with Death (1938)
20. Hercule Poirot's Christmas (1938)
21. The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (1939, short stories)
22. Sad Cypress (1940)
23. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe (1940)
24. Evil Under the Sun (1941)
25. Five Little Pigs (1942)
26. The Hollow (1946)
27. The Labours of Hercules (1947, short stories)
28. Taken at the Flood (1948)
29. Mrs. McGinty's Dead (1952)
30. After the Funeral (1953)
31. Hickory Dickory Dock (1955)
32. Dead Man's Folly (1956)
33. Cat Among the Pigeons (1959)
34. The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (1960)
35. The Clocks (1963)
36. Third Girl (1966)
37. Hallowe'en Party (1969)
38. Elephants Can Remember (1972)
39. Poirot's Early Cases (1974)
40. Curtain (1975)
41. The Monogram Murders (2014) - Sophie Hannah wrote this and the subsequent books
42. Closed Casket (2016)
43. The Mystery of Three Quarters (2018)
44. The Killings at Kingfisher Hill (2020)
45. Hercules Poirot’s Silent Night (2023)
46. The Last Death of the Year (2025)

How to read the Miss Marple series in order

Miss Jane Marple, the astute amateur sleuth, appears in 12 novels and several short stories. The Murder at the Vicarage (1930) is the first full-length novel to feature Miss Marple. Set in the seemingly quiet village of St. Mary Mead, it follows Miss Marple as she uncovers secrets and motives surrounding the murder of the unpopular Colonel Protheroe.

Here’s a list of the Miss Marple books in order:

1. The Murder at the Vicarage (1930)
2. Death by Drowning (1932, short story)
3. The Body in the Library (1942)
4. The Moving Finger (1942)
5. A Murder is Announced (1950)
6. They Do It with Mirrors (1952)
7. A Pocket Full of Rye (1953)
8. 4.50 from Paddington (1957)
9. The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side (1962)
10. A Caribbean Mystery (1964)
11. At Bertram's Hotel (1965)
12. The Bloodstained Pavement (1966, short story)
13. Nemesis (1971)
14. Sleeping Murder (1976)

In 2022, a collection of stories about Miss Marple was released, with permission from the Christie family. Each story in Marple was written by a different author. This star-studded list included Naomi Alderman, Natalie Haynes, Alyssa Cole, Lucy Foley, Leigh Bardugo, Karen M. McManus, Elly Griffiths, Jean Kwok, Val McDermid, Kate Mosse, Ruth Ware and Dreda Say Mitchell.

How to read the Tommy & Tuppence series in order

Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, a married couple who embark on various adventures, are featured in five novels and several short stories.

The Secret Adversary (1922) introduces readers to the adventurous duo for the first time. The novel follows their hunt for a missing woman and a stolen government document, blending espionage, intrigue and lighthearted detective work in post-World War I England.

Here’s a list of the Tommy & Tuppence books in order:

1. The Secret Adversary (1922)
2. Partners in Crime (1929)
3. N or M? (1941)
4. By the Pricking of My Thumbs (1968)
5. Postern of Fate (1973)

How to read the Superintendent Battle series in order

Superintendent Battle, a Scotland Yard detective, appears in five novels. He first appeared in The Secret of Chimneys (1925).

Set in a grand English country estate, The Secret of Chimneys follows a young adventurer as he uncovers a tangled plot involving secret documents, aristocratic schemes and hidden treasures.

Here’s a list of the Superintendent Battle books in order:

1. The Secret of Chimneys (1925)
2. The Seven Dials Mystery (1929)
3. Cards on the Table (1936)
4. Murder is Easy (1939)
5. Death on the Nile (1937)

How to read the Colonel Race series in order

Colonel Race, a British intelligence officer, appears in four novels. He made his debut in The Man in the Brown Suit (1924), which follows young adventurer Anne Beddingfeld as she becomes embroiled in an international mystery. Her quest to uncover the truth behind a mysterious death leads her from London to exotic locales, combining danger, romance and jaw-dropping plot twists.

Here’s a list of the Colonel Race books in order:

1. The Man in the Brown Suit (1924)
2. Cards on the Table (1936)
3. Death on the Nile (1937)
4. Sparkling Cyanide (1945)

How to read the Harley Quin stories in order

Harley Quin is a character who appears in various Christie short stories published through the 1920s. Not to be confused with DC’s wise-talking bad girl, these stories feature the enigmatic Mr. Quin and his companion Mr. Satterthwaite. These tales are known for their whimsical and mysterious qualities, distinct from her more traditional detective fiction.

Here’s a list of the Harley Quin books in order:

• The Mysterious Mr. Quin (1930)
• The Love Detectives (first published in 1926, then included in the 1950 collection Three Blind Mice and Other Stories and the 1991 Problem at Pollensa Bay and Other Stories)
• The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories (1997)

What are Agatha Christie’s standalone books?

Christie also wrote several standalone novels that are not part of any series. There is no particular order to these novels, so you can slot them in at your fancy. Some of her most notable standalone works include:

• The Floating Admiral (1931)
• The Sittaford Mystery (1931)
• Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (1934)
• And Then There Were None (1939)
• Death Comes as the End (1944)
• Crooked House (1949)
• They Came to Baghdad (1951)
• Destination Unknown (1954)
• Ordeal by Innocence (1958)
• The Pale Horse (1961)
• Endless Night (1967)
• Passenger to Frankfurt (1970)

Under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, Christie wrote six romantic novels. These can serve as a break from the mystery and deaths that are a hallmark of her usual works.

1. Giant's Bread (1930)
2. Unfinished Portrait (1934)
3. Absent in the Spring (1944)
4. The Rose and the Yew Tree (1947)
5. A Daughter's a Daughter (1952)
6. The Burden (1956)

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