topic Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS? in Book Club

READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 00:59:29 GMT

I love mysteries and realize I've never read any AG because I'm not sure where to start.

All I think of is Angela Landsbury when she had the Agatha Christie series.

Since the books started in the 1900s do you suggest I start with the very first book written?

Perhaps another way is to read a few randomly?

How much does sequence matter?

Sometimes reading in order is important in long series .... what feedback can you offer regarding the great AG?

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

Effie54 — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 01:20:42 GMT

I love mysteries....Agatha Christie for sure. I would start with And Then There Were None, followed by Murder On The Orient Express and The ABC Murders.

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

Ronettes — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 01:18:56 GMT

I haven't read many of Agatha Christie's novels, but 'Peril At End House' was creepy, and I intend to read it again!

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

on the bay — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 01:29:05 GMT

Hi @Tinkrbl44<

Well you have just picked one of my favorite authors.

I've read probably all of her books including the ones written under her different name as Mary Westmacott- "A Daughter's Daughter", "Absent in the Spring", "The Rose and the Yew Tree, and 3 others which I hadn't read.

You can read them in any order, they are all really stand alone.

I read 30 of her novels when I was supposed to be reading other things for English

She really helped me get thru hard times as a student.

I've read that her favorite novel as well as popular opinion is "And Then There Were None. She said it was the most difficult one for her to write.

Miss Marple is my favorite of her characters.

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

1Professor — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 01:55:34 GMT

Read any Agatha Christie novels?

All.

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

on the bay — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 02:24:20 GMT

@Tinkrbl44,

P.S.-

If you would like to read one of the biographies of Agatha, read Janet Morgan's "Agatha Christie." It is the only one Christie's daughter Rosalind Hicks would accept.

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

Oznell — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 02:17:23 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 , I agree with others that you can read Agatha Christie in no particular order, unless you want to.

Of the "Miss Marple" series, my favorite is "Sleeping Murder". Gwenda and Giles are an intelligent young couple who buy a charming house in the country, that feels strangely, and sometimes, eerily familiar to Gwenda. So much so, that she, Giles, and their friend Miss Marple begin to unravel that mystery, only to reveal more, long-hidden secrets.

Very atmospheric, the main characters are very likeable, and there's that wonderful portrait of English village life that you get in so many of her books...

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

DSD2 — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 02:40:32 GMT

I read most, if not all...

She is a wonderful writer but my favorites were with Hercule Poirot.Evil Under the Sun was one of the best.

Enjoy - you won't be disappointed with whatever you choose to read.

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

dawg lover — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 03:39:07 GMT

I've read and own all of Agatha Christie's books. I am a stickler for reading books in order, so I would always recommend that. My favorite Miss Marple novel is AT BERTRAM'S HOTEL. I enjoy how descriptive it is. My favorite Hercule Poirot novel is THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD; love the big twist at the end!

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

Judaline — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 12:25:19 GMT

@Oznell wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 , I agree with others that you can read Agatha Christie in no particular order, unless you want to.

Of the "Miss Marple" series, my favorite is "Sleeping Murder". Gwenda and Giles are an intelligent young couple who buy a charming house in the country, that feels strangely, and sometimes, eerily familiar to Gwenda. So much so, that she, Giles, and their friend Miss Marple begin to unravel that mystery, only to reveal more, long-hidden secrets.

Very atmospheric, the main characters are very likeable, and there's that wonderful portrait of English village life that you get in so many of her books...

I like the Miss Marple books the best, but can't recommend any particular one-been too long!

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

kaydee50 — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 12:27:05 GMT

@dawg lover wrote:
I've read and own all of Agatha Christie's books. I am a stickler for reading books in order, so I would always recommend that. My favorite Miss Marple novel is AT BERTRAM'S HOTEL. I enjoy how descriptive it is. My favorite Hercule Poirot novel is THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD; love the big twist at the end!

I've read several AG mysteries and the one that stands out is The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Didn't see that ending coming!

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

jackthebear — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 12:29:37 GMT

start with the Murder of Roger Ackroyd

the Marple and Poirot books really don't need to be read in order

but a google search will give that info if you want it

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

LindaSal — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 13:24:01 GMT

My brother had the entire collection in hardcover, it was in the family bookcase like a set of encyclopedias! LOL, I absolutely love her books. My opinion, close your eyes and just pick one! I am a big mystery reader and started on her books in high school. I believe over the years I have read them all.

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

LindaSal — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 13:27:35 GMT

@on the bay Thank you for posting this, I have not heard of it and will be buying it for sure! (the biography)

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

jackthebear — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 13:50:25 GMT

@on the bay wrote:
Hi @Tinkrbl44<
Well you have just picked one of my favorite authors.
I've read probably all of her books including the ones written under her different name as Mary Westmacott- "A Daughter's Daughter", "Absent in the Spring", "The Rose and the Yew Tree, and 3 others which I hadn't read.
You can read them in any order, they are all really stand alone.
I read 30 of her novels when I was supposed to be reading other things for English
She really helped me get thru hard times as a student.
I've read that her favorite novel as well as popular opinion is "And Then There Were None. She said it was the most difficult one for her to write.
Miss Marple is my favorite of her characters.

the Mary Westmacott books are wonderful

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

zitawins — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 16:41:39 GMT

@DSD2 The movie "Evil Under the Sun" is outstanding! Peter Ustinoff, Maggie Smith, James Mason, Roddy McDowell and others in excellent casting. One of the best dramatizations of Christie's books.

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

AuntG — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 17:00:39 GMT

Speaking just for me, the Jane Marple books were my favorites. The book I remember best and was something like The Mirror Cracked. I recall some of her books have gotten revised titles since I read them. You might want go read up on her primary sleuths and then read their books in order.

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

Judaline — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 17:13:27 GMT

I must say And Then there Were None has to be "top of the heap, A #1, cream of the crop." All the usual suspects and more!

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

Still Raining — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 23:33:20 GMT

Such a trip down memory lane. Really think I read most of them long ago since my dad collected them in paperback.

Recommend without reservation. Each one is different so it will grab you again. Not like a series.

Might have a snoop around Libby to see if I did indeed miss any.

Re: READ ANY AGATHA CHRISTIE NOVELS?

candyagain — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 21:07:23 GMT

Every single one, more than once. She is a joy to read. I hope you like her books.

You can read out of sequence but they improve as a series. Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot books benefit from reading in order as the character evolves.

Check out her life history, too. Fascinating. Very smart woman.