Top 10 Greatest Agatha Christie Novels
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Date: 2023-11-20
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Comments and reviews: 30
Kristf
My top 10:
1. Curtain - Absolutely amazing, heart-breaking and emotional. Movie is also great. I cant stop loving this story.
2. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - The biggest plot twist of all, just loved it.
3. Lord Edgware Dies - Amazing characters, great story, and Im really proud that this is the only one where I knew the murderer. :D
4. Hercule Poirot's Christmas - Another great story with one of the best plot twists.
5. Murder on the Orient Express - Simply a masterpiece, I couldnt believe the end when I was first reading it.
6. The A. B. C. Murders - Very good and exciting story and loved the whole concept of the serial killer.
7. And Then There Were None - This one has the biggest impact on everyone I guess. But for me its more like a horror story at the end, I never want to read it again, it was terrifying enough for the first time. :D
8. After the Funeral - Just finished it today and its also a great story with many great characters. Just missed Poirot in the first half of the book.
9. The Mysterious Affair at Styles - This is not the most complicated case, but I just love the vibe in it how Poirot arrives in England for the first time.
10. Hallowe'en Party - Great story again, the Halloween theme is also a great choice, creepy but exciting. :D
And yes, I really hate Miss Marple, creepy old woman. :D
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My top 10:
1. Curtain - Absolutely amazing, heart-breaking and emotional. Movie is also great. I cant stop loving this story.
2. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - The biggest plot twist of all, just loved it.
3. Lord Edgware Dies - Amazing characters, great story, and Im really proud that this is the only one where I knew the murderer. :D
4. Hercule Poirot's Christmas - Another great story with one of the best plot twists.
5. Murder on the Orient Express - Simply a masterpiece, I couldnt believe the end when I was first reading it.
6. The A. B. C. Murders - Very good and exciting story and loved the whole concept of the serial killer.
7. And Then There Were None - This one has the biggest impact on everyone I guess. But for me its more like a horror story at the end, I never want to read it again, it was terrifying enough for the first time. :D
8. After the Funeral - Just finished it today and its also a great story with many great characters. Just missed Poirot in the first half of the book.
9. The Mysterious Affair at Styles - This is not the most complicated case, but I just love the vibe in it how Poirot arrives in England for the first time.
10. Hallowe'en Party - Great story again, the Halloween theme is also a great choice, creepy but exciting. :D
And yes, I really hate Miss Marple, creepy old woman. :D
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bla
I stopped watching this garbage at the 1: 50 mark when you've placed one of the most idiotic AC writings (Five Little Pigs) in this top 10, potentially leaving out other (REAL) masterpieces. I don't know how you people make these top XX rankings but you are way off in your estimations whenever I'm watching these top [whatever]s.
Also, since we're at it, here are my favorite movies (the David Suchet version, obviously): The Clocks (my absolute favorite of them all, Cat Among the Pigeons (possibly my 2nd favorite of them all, and then, in no particular order: Evil Under the Sun. Mrs McGinty's Dead. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe. Elephants Can Remember. After the Funeral. Sad Cypress. The Case of the Missing Will. The Mysterious Affair of Styles. The Affair At the Victory Ball. The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor. The Kidnapped Prime Minister. Peril At End House. The Dream. Problem At Sea. Murder in the Mews. and possibly a few others that I forgot at the moment. Any of these 20-30 episodes / full movies could have made it into this shitty top 10, but instead Five Little Pigs made it facepalm
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I stopped watching this garbage at the 1: 50 mark when you've placed one of the most idiotic AC writings (Five Little Pigs) in this top 10, potentially leaving out other (REAL) masterpieces. I don't know how you people make these top XX rankings but you are way off in your estimations whenever I'm watching these top [whatever]s.
Also, since we're at it, here are my favorite movies (the David Suchet version, obviously): The Clocks (my absolute favorite of them all, Cat Among the Pigeons (possibly my 2nd favorite of them all, and then, in no particular order: Evil Under the Sun. Mrs McGinty's Dead. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe. Elephants Can Remember. After the Funeral. Sad Cypress. The Case of the Missing Will. The Mysterious Affair of Styles. The Affair At the Victory Ball. The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor. The Kidnapped Prime Minister. Peril At End House. The Dream. Problem At Sea. Murder in the Mews. and possibly a few others that I forgot at the moment. Any of these 20-30 episodes / full movies could have made it into this shitty top 10, but instead Five Little Pigs made it facepalm
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msmojo
Crooked House should have been number 2. I figured And Then There Were None, had to be first; it's certainly her best known, and it is excellent (though I have a personal preference for Crooked House over that one. It is one of her best executed, with very interesting and well drawn characters, and a tricky puzzle that still stays grounded and plausible. Christie thought it was one of her personal bests (the other being Ordeal by Innocence, which should have at the very least been an honorable mention. Crooked House is objectively better written than most of her others, & I like the others on that list.
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Crooked House should have been number 2. I figured And Then There Were None, had to be first; it's certainly her best known, and it is excellent (though I have a personal preference for Crooked House over that one. It is one of her best executed, with very interesting and well drawn characters, and a tricky puzzle that still stays grounded and plausible. Christie thought it was one of her personal bests (the other being Ordeal by Innocence, which should have at the very least been an honorable mention. Crooked House is objectively better written than most of her others, & I like the others on that list.
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Rosanna
Murder on the Orient Express also inspired an episode of Doctor Who, Mummy on the Orient Express, during Peter Capaldi's run as the Doctor. And Agatha Christie herself was the subject of one of Doctor Who's many meet a famous person from history episodes, played by Fenella Woolgar in The Unicorn and the Wasp, set in 1926. David Tennant was the Doctor at the time, and at the very end of the episode, he reveals to his traveling companion Donna (played by Catherine Tate, a reprint of one of Christie's novels --- dated 5 billion years into the future. People never stopped reading her! he explains.
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Murder on the Orient Express also inspired an episode of Doctor Who, Mummy on the Orient Express, during Peter Capaldi's run as the Doctor. And Agatha Christie herself was the subject of one of Doctor Who's many meet a famous person from history episodes, played by Fenella Woolgar in The Unicorn and the Wasp, set in 1926. David Tennant was the Doctor at the time, and at the very end of the episode, he reveals to his traveling companion Donna (played by Catherine Tate, a reprint of one of Christie's novels --- dated 5 billion years into the future. People never stopped reading her! he explains.
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seto749
I could make a strong case for three or four dozen to be included in the top ten. Some unmade points:
While A Murder is Announced is easily solved, it has the most superb pairing of a vital point with something inconsequential and how it's forced on the reader repetitively.
Death on the Nile has given me much use of Linnet and her sense of guilt despite her glossing it over.
And Then There Were None I have tended to move slightly down the list partly because it really dances hard on the unfairness line and partly for the timeline - too much gets crammed into the second morning.
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I could make a strong case for three or four dozen to be included in the top ten. Some unmade points:
While A Murder is Announced is easily solved, it has the most superb pairing of a vital point with something inconsequential and how it's forced on the reader repetitively.
Death on the Nile has given me much use of Linnet and her sense of guilt despite her glossing it over.
And Then There Were None I have tended to move slightly down the list partly because it really dances hard on the unfairness line and partly for the timeline - too much gets crammed into the second morning.
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cj
I have read all of her murder mysteries before and I enjoy them a good deal. Yesterday I just saw the new film version of Death pn the Nile and I thought it was interesting enough plus it had some new twists from the original novel. My particular favorite mystery by Christie is And Then There Were None. The 2015 mini-series version I thought was great. Some of my other favorite Christie mysteries include Crooked House, Five Little Pigs, After the Funeral, Towards Zero, and Death Comes as the End (her only mystery set in Ancient Egypt concerning a dysfunctional family.
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I have read all of her murder mysteries before and I enjoy them a good deal. Yesterday I just saw the new film version of Death pn the Nile and I thought it was interesting enough plus it had some new twists from the original novel. My particular favorite mystery by Christie is And Then There Were None. The 2015 mini-series version I thought was great. Some of my other favorite Christie mysteries include Crooked House, Five Little Pigs, After the Funeral, Towards Zero, and Death Comes as the End (her only mystery set in Ancient Egypt concerning a dysfunctional family.
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Richard
My favorite: Hercule Poirot, Cat Among the Pigeons and Mysterious Affair at Styles Best Hercule Poirot adaptationEvil under the Sun with Peter Ustinov. Best Miss Marple novelNemesis. Best Miss Marple adaptation, A Murder is Announced with Joan Hickson. Best non Poirot/Marple: The Pale Horse, Seven Dials Mystery, Why Didn't They Ask Evans? The best non Poirot/Marple adaptation I think is Murder is Easy TV movie with Bill Bixby, Helen Hayes, Leslie Anne Down and Olivia DeHaviland. Thought it was classily done!
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My favorite: Hercule Poirot, Cat Among the Pigeons and Mysterious Affair at Styles Best Hercule Poirot adaptationEvil under the Sun with Peter Ustinov. Best Miss Marple novelNemesis. Best Miss Marple adaptation, A Murder is Announced with Joan Hickson. Best non Poirot/Marple: The Pale Horse, Seven Dials Mystery, Why Didn't They Ask Evans? The best non Poirot/Marple adaptation I think is Murder is Easy TV movie with Bill Bixby, Helen Hayes, Leslie Anne Down and Olivia DeHaviland. Thought it was classily done!
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Ivn
i believe the murder of roger ackroyd should be number one. the book itself its a masterpiece, mainly because of that plotwist and the godlike killer reveal, but still a masterpiece. and then there were none is brutal, scary as hell and really really good, but it doesnt even come close to the perfection achieved by christie in the roger ackroyd novel mentioned before imo.
my personal favourite is crooked house: ) and also, cat among the pigeons is severely underrated.
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i believe the murder of roger ackroyd should be number one. the book itself its a masterpiece, mainly because of that plotwist and the godlike killer reveal, but still a masterpiece. and then there were none is brutal, scary as hell and really really good, but it doesnt even come close to the perfection achieved by christie in the roger ackroyd novel mentioned before imo.
my personal favourite is crooked house: ) and also, cat among the pigeons is severely underrated.
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mikemcwong
10 Other really good ones you didnt mention: -
Witness for the prosecution (I guess it was a play but still really good)
Body in the library (my first Agatha Christie novel)
Lord Edgware Dies
Cat among pigeons (liked that there were 2 of them)
Mirror Cracked from side to side
Clocks
The big four
A Caribbean mystery
Cards on the table
Sparkling cyanide (really like the wrong person getting murdered part)
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10 Other really good ones you didnt mention: -
Witness for the prosecution (I guess it was a play but still really good)
Body in the library (my first Agatha Christie novel)
Lord Edgware Dies
Cat among pigeons (liked that there were 2 of them)
Mirror Cracked from side to side
Clocks
The big four
A Caribbean mystery
Cards on the table
Sparkling cyanide (really like the wrong person getting murdered part)
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Alcohol
Kenneth Branaghs attempts to play Poirot were laughable to me; I mean where did anyone come up with the ridiculous mustaches? David Suchet does a marvelous job. However neither production comes within a country mile of how the book was written. I choose the book and then Suchet. My daughter is a huge fan of Agatha Christies work and she had a violent rejection of the 2017 travesty! It bordered on the unwatchable and was grotesque.
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Kenneth Branaghs attempts to play Poirot were laughable to me; I mean where did anyone come up with the ridiculous mustaches? David Suchet does a marvelous job. However neither production comes within a country mile of how the book was written. I choose the book and then Suchet. My daughter is a huge fan of Agatha Christies work and she had a violent rejection of the 2017 travesty! It bordered on the unwatchable and was grotesque.
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Antoinette
This is the kind of list you get from people who have only read about half of Christie's books.
Here is the list from someone who has read every Christie novel
1. Curtain
2. And then There Were None
3. Murder on The Orient Express
4. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
5. A Murder is Announced
6. The ABC Murders
7. N or M
8. The Sittaford Mystery
9. Destination Unknown
10. At Bertrams Hotel
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This is the kind of list you get from people who have only read about half of Christie's books.
Here is the list from someone who has read every Christie novel
1. Curtain
2. And then There Were None
3. Murder on The Orient Express
4. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
5. A Murder is Announced
6. The ABC Murders
7. N or M
8. The Sittaford Mystery
9. Destination Unknown
10. At Bertrams Hotel
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RL
My favorite top ten:
1. Death on the Nile
2. The Mysterious Affair at Styles
3. The Caribbean Mystery
4. The 13 Problems or as it is also called the Tuesday Night Club (Miss Marple short stories)
5. And then there were none
6. Hercule Poirot's Christmas
7. Sleeping Murder
8. The Labours of Hercules
9. Poirot's Early Cases (Hercule Poirot short stories)
10. Postern of Fate (Tommy and Tuppence )
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My favorite top ten:
1. Death on the Nile
2. The Mysterious Affair at Styles
3. The Caribbean Mystery
4. The 13 Problems or as it is also called the Tuesday Night Club (Miss Marple short stories)
5. And then there were none
6. Hercule Poirot's Christmas
7. Sleeping Murder
8. The Labours of Hercules
9. Poirot's Early Cases (Hercule Poirot short stories)
10. Postern of Fate (Tommy and Tuppence )
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Mafalda
I'd say that, as far as plot construction and surprise element goes, The murder of Roger Ackroyd, And then there were none, and The witness for the prosecution (short story) are objectively her best. But my favorites are Crooked house, Cards on the table, The murder of Roger Ackroyd, and Death comes as the end. I also love Spider's web, her comedic mystery play that was later adapted to a novel by another writer.
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I'd say that, as far as plot construction and surprise element goes, The murder of Roger Ackroyd, And then there were none, and The witness for the prosecution (short story) are objectively her best. But my favorites are Crooked house, Cards on the table, The murder of Roger Ackroyd, and Death comes as the end. I also love Spider's web, her comedic mystery play that was later adapted to a novel by another writer.
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Yorick
I disagree with the popular jugement about the Murder of Roger Ackroyd, (the main issue is staring everyone in the face, is extremely implausible and could not fail to be investiagated, all the more as both Poirot AND Inspector Jappes remark upon it and don't immediately discuss it, chase it up etc) but whatever one thinks of the book, the film version was a shower and definitely to avoid.
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I disagree with the popular jugement about the Murder of Roger Ackroyd, (the main issue is staring everyone in the face, is extremely implausible and could not fail to be investiagated, all the more as both Poirot AND Inspector Jappes remark upon it and don't immediately discuss it, chase it up etc) but whatever one thinks of the book, the film version was a shower and definitely to avoid.
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nika
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is my favorite by far. Was really pissed off when TV show Poirot has massacred this case with the disgraceful episode. Have not heard about the movie Alibi before so I will check it if I can. Also in the newest Death on the Nile potential Ackroyd sequel was teased with Poirot's wish to plant pumpkins, so hopefully that's done and done well.
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The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is my favorite by far. Was really pissed off when TV show Poirot has massacred this case with the disgraceful episode. Have not heard about the movie Alibi before so I will check it if I can. Also in the newest Death on the Nile potential Ackroyd sequel was teased with Poirot's wish to plant pumpkins, so hopefully that's done and done well.
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John
I agree about Suchet. I have read just enough Poirot to know Branagh's mustaches are outlandishly ridiculous (I don't fault him, though) and are non-canonical (which is OK - within limits. IIRC, Suchet really went to lengths to 'get into' the diminutive fussy Belgian detective. Ustinov and Finney are fine in the role, but Suchet had the artistic luxury of a series.
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I agree about Suchet. I have read just enough Poirot to know Branagh's mustaches are outlandishly ridiculous (I don't fault him, though) and are non-canonical (which is OK - within limits. IIRC, Suchet really went to lengths to 'get into' the diminutive fussy Belgian detective. Ustinov and Finney are fine in the role, but Suchet had the artistic luxury of a series.
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bovnyccc
Good list. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd broke certain mystery rules and Mrs. Christie was almost thrown out of a British Mystery Club. Dorothy L. Sayers broke the tie voting for Christie to remain. The book of And Then There Were None differed from some of the movie versions. I believe Christie did it when she wrote a stage version.
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Good list. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd broke certain mystery rules and Mrs. Christie was almost thrown out of a British Mystery Club. Dorothy L. Sayers broke the tie voting for Christie to remain. The book of And Then There Were None differed from some of the movie versions. I believe Christie did it when she wrote a stage version.
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Amy
Totally agree with the top three. I would have been upset if any of them wasnt there. I think the ABC murders should have been higher. Also, two of my favorites were I assume not eligible because they are not full novels, Witness for the Prosecution and The Mousetrap, but they are two of the best things she ever wrote.
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Totally agree with the top three. I would have been upset if any of them wasnt there. I think the ABC murders should have been higher. Also, two of my favorites were I assume not eligible because they are not full novels, Witness for the Prosecution and The Mousetrap, but they are two of the best things she ever wrote.
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BeeThockMTee
I have read all the Christie novels. My favourite has always been Death on the Nile. The setting, the themes, the characters, and most of all, the machinations of the murder. I just adore it. I also love Five Little Pigs, Crooked House, A Murder is Announced, Peril at End House, and Sad Cypress.
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I have read all the Christie novels. My favourite has always been Death on the Nile. The setting, the themes, the characters, and most of all, the machinations of the murder. I just adore it. I also love Five Little Pigs, Crooked House, A Murder is Announced, Peril at End House, and Sad Cypress.
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Maria
My top 10:
- Roger Akroyd
- A Murder is Announced
- And Then There Were None;
- Destination Unknown;
- Partners in Crime;
- Death is Not The End;
- Death on The Nile;
- Murder in the Orient Express;
- A Cat Among The Pigeons;
- Body in the Library;
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My top 10:
- Roger Akroyd
- A Murder is Announced
- And Then There Were None;
- Destination Unknown;
- Partners in Crime;
- Death is Not The End;
- Death on The Nile;
- Murder in the Orient Express;
- A Cat Among The Pigeons;
- Body in the Library;
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hawk
Several here I really liked, also some of my faves are missing. I think my all time fave was Murder on the Orient Express. I wanted to scream when I saw that latest film adaption, it was so off. Will probably not even watch the new Death on the Nile as I suspect it will be equally bad.
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Several here I really liked, also some of my faves are missing. I think my all time fave was Murder on the Orient Express. I wanted to scream when I saw that latest film adaption, it was so off. Will probably not even watch the new Death on the Nile as I suspect it will be equally bad.
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MCPRT
Roger Akroyd introduced me to Hercule Poirot. Until you read all you'll never know which is the most intelligently written. The best of th 60+ novels for me are 10 little indians(and then there was non, the last curtain, roger arkroyd, the styles and motoe. I also love Ms. Marple
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Roger Akroyd introduced me to Hercule Poirot. Until you read all you'll never know which is the most intelligently written. The best of th 60+ novels for me are 10 little indians(and then there was non, the last curtain, roger arkroyd, the styles and motoe. I also love Ms. Marple
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Tara
I love 'Murder at the Vicarage' and 'Crooked House', but I don't know what I would have deleted from the original list. Also, it is interesting 'And Then There Were None' has never been remade with the original ending. Or has it and I haven't seen it. Hmmm.
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I love 'Murder at the Vicarage' and 'Crooked House', but I don't know what I would have deleted from the original list. Also, it is interesting 'And Then There Were None' has never been remade with the original ending. Or has it and I haven't seen it. Hmmm.
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fanjoy
A Caribbean mystery & Nemesis as they link together so well as stories & has the best description of Miss Marple. Poirot is harder as I like so many versions, so I'll go with KB's Death on the Nile. Seeing them at cinemas does bring the stories to life.
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A Caribbean mystery & Nemesis as they link together so well as stories & has the best description of Miss Marple. Poirot is harder as I like so many versions, so I'll go with KB's Death on the Nile. Seeing them at cinemas does bring the stories to life.
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Hilman
The Queen of Plot Twist.
You'll never guess the real murderer because she put lots of red herrings in her books.
But the most surprising ending to me is Crooked House, and although it's not her best, but glad it's on honorable mentions.
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The Queen of Plot Twist.
You'll never guess the real murderer because she put lots of red herrings in her books.
But the most surprising ending to me is Crooked House, and although it's not her best, but glad it's on honorable mentions.
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Diedert
Fully agree with #1 and many of the other picks. And then there were none is chilling. I saw a TV adaptation and it was brilliant and with a shocking ending. The original title is quite shocking as well, but slightly misunderstood.
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Fully agree with #1 and many of the other picks. And then there were none is chilling. I saw a TV adaptation and it was brilliant and with a shocking ending. The original title is quite shocking as well, but slightly misunderstood.
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CAROLE
When I was pregnant with our daughter, I craved Agatha Christie novels. By the time my daughter was born, I had read them all, including her short novels and plays. I have been addicted to British Murder Mysteries ever since!
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When I was pregnant with our daughter, I craved Agatha Christie novels. By the time my daughter was born, I had read them all, including her short novels and plays. I have been addicted to British Murder Mysteries ever since!
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Javier
I had a horrible depression episode when I was 21, I was several months trying to find a reason to live, lucky for me Agatha Christie's novels came to gain me some time to figure it out. I will never forget them.
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I had a horrible depression episode when I was 21, I was several months trying to find a reason to live, lucky for me Agatha Christie's novels came to gain me some time to figure it out. I will never forget them.
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Nostalgia1979
I am one of the least people who think that Orient Express and the Mysterious Case of Styles are overrated? For me Poirot's Christmas, The Third Girl and Taken at the Flood are way better than those two.
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I am one of the least people who think that Orient Express and the Mysterious Case of Styles are overrated? For me Poirot's Christmas, The Third Girl and Taken at the Flood are way better than those two.
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Sara
These books that you chosen are indeed very brilliant but i think that therer are some books without Poirot or Marpel that should be mentioned more often because there are brilliant in a new way.
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These books that you chosen are indeed very brilliant but i think that therer are some books without Poirot or Marpel that should be mentioned more often because there are brilliant in a new way.
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