I didn't see a topic exclusively dedicated to Agatha, so I thought I would start one.

Barring J.K.R. , I'd have to say that Agatha Christie is my favorite author. I'm trying to collect all of her books and I'm constantly re-reading them. I think at this point I have around 70 of them.

Is anyone else a fan? If so, why? Which are your favorites? Which do you like least?

I'm a sucker for the Hercule Poirot stories, Murder on the Orient Express and Cat Among the Pigeons being two of my favorites. My favorite non-recurring character one is Ten Little Indians. Genius! Honestly though, the only one that I've read that I haven't really enjoyed is Passenger to Frankfurt. I do like the other adventure/espionage books that she wrote, but for some reason, I just can't seem to sink my teeth into it. Miss Marple is someone that I'd definately want to get to know. Like a fluffy aunt with a mind like poison.

I'm currently reading Postern of Fate, which is one that I haven't read before. Tommy and Tuppence are adorable!

Another thing I've noticed (any maybe it's because they're common British names and I'm just ignorant of that fact) is that JKR has used a lot of the names I come across while reading Agatha's books.

Well, you must have guessed that Agatha Christie is my joint favourite author, with Rowling. And although I use "Miss Marple" as my name, I really like Poirot too...perhaps because there are more books of Poirot. Lets see, my favourite Poirot has to be "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd". Favourite Miss Marple is "A Murder is Announced" (followed by "4:50 from Paddington) and my favourite Tommy and Tuppence is N or M?. Postern of Fate is a good book though.
I can't leave Agatha Christie without mentioning "And Then there were none", my all time favourite Christie. It is such a great book...no matter how many times you read it, you are always surprised at the end Rowling does use quite a few of Christie's name in her books. What I find most fascinating is my two favourite male characters in fiction (Hercule Poirot and Harry Potter) share the same initials

Gee, I never would have guessed you were a fan by the name!



Yep. And Then There Were None (Ten Little Indians) is my favorite not recurring character book. It's amazing and so eerie! Wargrave really had it in for everyone, no?

I like N or M as well. My favorite Marple would have to be The Sleeping Murder.

What do you think about the plays that Charles Osborne has adapted?

I know. H.P. rules!

I love Agatha Cristie!! Her books were my passsion before Harry Potter came in my life!!

Anyway, I prefer the Poirot ones, though I also enjoy Miss Marple aa well as Tommy and Tuppence. I was ekstatic when one of the poems we studied at University was the one she mentioned in The Mirror Cracked From Side To Side. When I got back I ran in my library to see the excerpt!

I like her style of writing and the atmosphere in her stories. There is nobility and a feeling that you are in another time and place...(you actually are in an other time and place of course, since she discribed the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s )

And as you said JaneMarlpe, no matter how many times you've read her books, you are always surprised at the end!

I like the three adaptations of Charles Osbourne. Black Coffee was similar tp other Poirots, while Spider's Web was a exciting adventure. But I think I liked The Unexpected Guest best, it really was a suspence thriller.

I probably liked Black Coffee the best, but, it was the one I read most recently. I haven't read Unexpected guess in a couple of years. I haven't read Spider's Web yet.

They are, aren't they? I just wish there were more books about them; they're my favorites!


One thing about AC's books that always make me laugh is how she always describes St. Mary Mead as a sleepy, boring town... but HOW many people have been murdered there in the space of around 10 years? It makes me think of Brian Jacques' Redwall series: A quiet, extremely peaceful abbey full of happy animals, and yet they need a resident Warrior because they get attacked so often.

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVEEEEEEEEE Agatha Christie!!!!!!
My favourites are The Five Little Pigs,Hercule Poirot's Christmas,Murder on the Orient Express & The Third Girl. Right now I'm reading The Dead Man's Folly.
Has anybody here read it?
I perfer Poirot ones.And they're so very funny!Fantastic books.

Yes, I've read that one, Smartaps_2! It's a good one. I always crack up at Ariadne Oliver. Throw in Poirot, and it's all good.

I know, SusannahMio! It's so boring with all those people showing up dead.

I adore Agatha Christie...I am a murder mystery junkie. I remember when I was 11 and visited London we saw "The Mousetrap" (or Three Blind Mice) and I have been hooked ever since!

Lucky you! Live in England but never have the opportunity of seeing it. I like nearly all the Agatha Christie books. I think the only one I don't like much is Endless Night. To me it is too similar to a more famous novel published many years earlier. Also love "4.50 from Paddington" too, when I travel by train, can't resist looking in the passing train windows

I'm a relatively new Agatha Christie fan, but I've still have read a bunch of her books and can't stop reading them!

I have only read Poirots' so far, and And Then There Were None which I loved. I have so many favorites, it's very hard to choose. I really liked The ABC Murders because it was one of the first books of hers that I have read, and I was unfamiliar with how things happened, so the ending came as a complete surprise to me. I also loved [i]Death in the Clouds and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, even though it made me slightly sick at the end. His first case, The Mysterious Affair at Styles was also very good, I really like the ones with Hastings in them.

I am looking forward to reading The Clocks, which is the next one on my list to read. Has anyone else read it? How is it?

Have you all read Curtain? I must admit, I cried quite a bit. I've only read it twice because it makes me so sad.

I have lots of audiotapes of Agatha Christie - I listen to them more than read them (just like I do with Harry Potter ). Been a while since I've listened to Curtain. It's a very different book

It's lovely...Fantastic!!!
The end of this book is really marvellous!

I am personally a HUGE Agatha Christie fan. My personal favorites are: Ordeal by Innocence (Christie also said this was one of her favorites) Towards Zero (It was more about the motives than the mystery and I loved it!) and Three Blind Mice.

I've finished reading The Dead Man's Folly...it's MARVELLOUS!!!

I really enjoyed reading Ordeal by Innocence.

I have never read an Agatha Christie book *ducks and runs for the door*, but since I have all these experts, I wanted to ask some opinions. My husband and I are going to England partly for Sectus next summer, so I wanted to read some books that would enhance the experience. I just bought Murder on the Orient Express today, mostly because I have heard of it. But I want to read one that might have some fun significance when we are in England. I have heard that there is a play of a book called Mouse Trap. Is it good? It seemed like you guys were saying that isn't the actual title of the book, so I was wondering what I should look for. Anyway, I guess I am just looking for an expert opinion on the best of Agatha Christie. Thanks!

Great choice! It is a great book.You'll enjoy reading it.(Atleast I did )And be sure to read The Five Little Pigs...it's fantastic!!!

If you get a chance to go see the Mousetrap, definitely go for it!

Surprisingly, I have never read a book by her. After reading your reviews, I sure am eager to start one. What is the best one to start with? You guys seem to know so much about her works.

Thanks,
Oiuie

Just finished one of my personal favourite Poirot's - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. It's such a clever book with a astounding twist at the end Which Christie for a first timer? There's so many - I would suggest either The Mysterious affair at Styles (Poirot first case), The murder at the Vicarage (Miss Marple's first case) or for something stunning, And Then there were none (known by other names). Agatha Christie is such a superb writer

You know what,just a day before I had started to read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd........My friend told me the name of the murderer..we were talking in general & the name of the murderer slipped out of her mouth.It was such a BIG BLOW for me....Huh!

How annoying! I remember when I first heard it on audio tape, I gave up on it a few times, couldn't work out what it meant...but I soon got into it! I think it is one of the most surprising books for me, apart from Then There Was None.

I also think either Poirot or Marple's first case would be a good first choice, but I think my first read was "And Then There Were None (Ten Little Indians)". It's just amazingly well written and you are truly thrown for a loop at the end.

I am not really into the mystery books, but I read And Then There Were None in high school and really enjoyed it. It was well written and a quick read. She is a good author.

The last chapter of And Then There Were None diassapointed me...
I really enjoyed reading the whole book except the last chapter.
The book is verrrrrrrrrry well written.BUT,the end was a bit dissapointing for me.

Yes...a good first read will undoubtly be Poirot's or Marple's fist case.But whatever you do....be sure to read Hercule Poirot's Christmas.It's a wonder!


What is your favourite Marple novel?

It's a toss up between A murder is Announced (such a fun read. And I think it was the only time I ever felt slightly sorry for the murderer). and 4.50 from Paddington just because it is just a brilliant place to commit a murder

I enjoyed reading the Sleeping Murder.I have not read many Marple books and I need some suggestions.
As for Poirot....I've read most of his books!

Somehow....I prefer Poirot to Marple.

I prefer Poirot too, maybe it's because there is more Poirot's than Marple's? I'd reccomend A Murder is Announced of 4.50 from Paddington for a good Miss Marple

Wow! You guys are a wealth of knowledge. 4:50 From Paddington sounds like fun, since I will be in London. I love to visit places that show up in books! It is so much fun to imagine yourself there at the time!

Thanks!
I prefer Poirot because he's more detective like.Actually,he's the perfect detective!!!

Oh, I'm sorry to hear you were disappointed! I loved the ending.

You know what,this book is really well written.I got so engrossed in the book,I found it so interesting and the story seemed to get so mysterious in each chapter,that I expected a surprising,shocking & a masterpiece ending.(I was perhaps,expecting too much )
The ending didn't suit the story...

I just saw her play 'The Mousetrap' and I thought it was very good. I'm going to get her books soon!

You lucky person! I got "The Mousetrap" in play form...with a few others...in a book. And also brought "Three Blind Mice" (which is the proper name for the story) too, which has Three blind mice and a few other stories with it. It's a really edge of your seats book/play by the look of it!

I've never read or seen her plays......they seem to be good.It's time I get some plays!!

She wrote short stories, too, didn't she? I vaguely remember one about a girl with split personality and another one that had something to do with escalators.. I think I really liked them, but I can't find the book, anyone know the title?

That was the short story "The Fourth Man". In England, it is in the short story collection "The Hound of Death", twelve short stories in one volume. Other countries might have it in another volume.

that's a new one on me, not a clue on that one
The short stories, some of them, are shorter stories to longer novels. But the majority of them are nice easy little reads.

Poirot Quiz?

Try out this quiz....it is fun!!

I've just finished reading Mrs.McGinty's Dead.It is a marvellous book.Superb!
And as for short stories....The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding is the best....(I think).It's a cute book actually.

Well apparently I'm Captain Arthur Hastings I was hoping for my name-sake but happy with being Poirot's sidekick!
I also like "Mrs McGinty's Dead" too, very unexpected ending for me. Still with "The Big Four". I never rated it very much, but on this listening, it's very good. Poirot has to solve various little mysteries to defeat a criminal gang "The Big Four"

Ah, I love Agatha Christie. My favorite one of her novels, and plays for that matter, is Ten Little Indians. It has other names, too, but that is its most common name that people know it by; I think . A great mystery and each different rewrite on her masterpiece is just as good as the next.

I got Inspector Japp in the quiz!! LOL....!!!
The result surprised me!
So,I'm quite out of Agatha Christies these days...I'll try reading the Big Four,haven't read it yet.

Sallene, I think I've died and gone to heaven. I couldn't believe I saw the words "Agatha Christie" in the "In" column. Holy cow. Hi JaneMarple (my jaw dropped when I read your connection with the HP initials)!

It is so awesome to connect with HP lovers who are also such great fans of AC! I don't know when or how but somewhere waaaay back when I was 8 or 9 I picked up an Agatha Christie book and that was it. Both my parents are voracious readers so they were quite happy to buy me 3 or 4 books at a time. I devoured them!

It was my goal to read all of them (80 I believe?). I read her autobiography...quite interesting, a bit of intrigue in her real life....my inlaws have sworn off helping us move because I have so many books! Unfortunately all my books are stored right now and we've not had the chance to get to them since we moved 4 years ago (having two kids'll do that to your schedule), but when I do, my life will be all about re-reading my AC stories.

The Mousetrap is the world's longest running play...since 1952! Helloooo! That's amazing. And think of all the movie adaptations (some great, some not so great...I watch them anyway)...in America on Public Broadcasting Stations we get to watch the BBC productions of the stories...Miss Marple, Mssr. Poirot, Tommy and Tuppence. I love David Suchet as Hercules Poirot.

I think Agatha Christie shaped my love of England and my obsession with the first half of the 20th century. I love the clothes, the cars, the music...and her stories are so rich and perfectly blended and fascinating! And short (compared to JK! ) I always felt I was born a half-century too late.

* Takes a breath * Ok. Sadly, it has been many years since I've sunk my teeth into a good AC book. Miss Marple stories are my favorite. The 4:50 from Paddington=my favorite. I love all the T&T stories. I prefer the pre-war Poirot stories (Miss Lemon is sooo perfect). I'm not so fond of the stories written in the 60's...don't know why. I've read Black Coffee. I really liked it as a tribute or homage to AC. I'll have to check out more of those books as well.


Ok, that's it...we're ripping the storage closet apart and I'm breaking my books out next weekend! Thanks guys for resparking my AC fire!

I got Poirot on the quiz! Who knew!?! Thanks for the link Smartaps_2!

Well, I'm glad this thread re-sparked your interest, Kryssindor. Agatha is awesome!

Smartaps_2, I can't get to the quiz here at work (it's filtered), but I'll try to remember to take it when I get home. Yay!

Does anyone here have any movie/tv versions of Agatha's work? The only one I have is "Murder on the Orient Express" with Albert Finney as Poirot. I thought it was an ok production, but he's not my ideal Poirot, so I was a bit disappointed. I'd like to get more, but I notice there are several versions, so it's hard to know which one is the best.

I've got a few versions of "Poirot" on DVD - "Murder on the Orient Express" (with Albert Finney and "Death on the Nile" with Peter Ustinov, both playing Poirot. They are good. But my favourite Poirot by far is David Suchet. He has done a lot of Poirot drama in England, and to me, he us the very perfect Poirot. The Poirot series with David Suchet is available one DVD, so hoping to put some on my Chistmas list
Miss Marple - I've seen a few people do Miss Marple. Margaret Rutherford was good, but a little old-fashioned. Angela Lansbury was still Jessica Fletcher for me and Helen Hayes didn't make much of a impression on me. But in the 1980's, the BBC did all the Miss Marple stories, with Joan Hickson as Miss Marple. Joan Hickson was absolutely wonderful, just how Miss Marple should be. I believe Agatha Christie actually met Joan Hickson, and said she hoped she'd play Miss Marple one day.
And then there's the "new" "Marple" - not even "Miss Marple" She's played by Geraldine McKeown (spelling?) and I, personally, am very disappointed in her. They have "modernised" Miss Marple and the stories. Some of the stories are reasonably good but some aren't. They even have put Miss Marple is stories where she didn't appear!
Ok, that's my opinion of the Christie dramatisations I also love the Agatha Christie audio books too

JaneMarple9, Thanks for the recommendations! I'll have to check them out. I was looking for things to put on my Christmas list.

Good luck with your quiz sallene !

Guess what......my aunt came over and gifted 3 agatha
Christie story books to me...!!! Woooooooo!!!

I have seen the 'Murder on the Orient Express ' movie....
The older version,and it's pretty good.

Sheesh..."Unexpected Guest". I didn't catch that the first time.

I don't know if any of you are eBay frequenters, but have you seen the 80's Bantam leatherette sets of Agatha's books/plays? I would love to have them some day, when I have that kind of $$ to spare.

I've picked up most of my books on eBay, because they seem to have big paperback lots. Then, I filter out what I already have and resell or give the the others away. It still ends up being a lot less that buying the new ones and I'm hoping one day to get the hardback leatherette set, if I can find all of them. Of course, then, my husband is going to have to build me another bookshelf just dedicated to Agatha!