Agatha Christie is one of the most famous and renowned writers of all time She is known for creating some of the most successful mystery and detective fiction stories in history, often involving complex and interesting plots, intricate and clever characters, and exciting suspenseful scenes.
Agatha Christie was born in Torquay, England in 1890 and began writing stories from a young age. She wrote more than 80 novels and collections of poetry and short stories during her lifetime, selling more than two billion copies, making her the best-selling novelist of all time. Her works have inspired many adaptations for film, stage and television, and she has been remembered for her contribution to the mystery fiction genre.
Agatha Christie's works are divided into three categories: the Miss Marple series, the Hercule Poirot stories, and the standalone works. Her most acclaimed works include the following five novels.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926): This is the first book in the Hercule Poirot series and is set in a small market town in England. A wealthy landowner, Roger Ackroyd, is found murdered and a trustee of his estate, Hercule Poirot, is brought in to solve the crime. The book is notable for its clever plot and unexpected twist ending.
And Then There Were None (1939): This is a classic mystery novel set on an isolated island off the coast of England. Ten strangers are invited to an old mansion on the island, each of whom has a dark past. One by one, the guests begin to disappear and soon the surviving eight discover they are being targeted by a mysterious killer.
Murder on the Orient Express (1934): This is a novel set on the Orient Express as it travels from Istanbul to Calais. Hercule Poirot is on board, and when a passenger on the train is murdered, Poirot must find the killer before the train reaches its destination. The novel is notable for its complex and clever solution to the murder.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920): This is the first novel in the Hercule Poirot series and is set in an old country house in England. When the owner of the house, Emily Inglethorp, is found murdered, Poirot is called in to investigate. The novel is notable for its intricate plot and unexpected solution.
The Mousetrap (1952): This is a standalone mystery novel set in a remote London theatre. A group of actors is rehearsing a play when a killer begins to stalk the theatre. The killer is soon revealed and Poirot steps in to solve the case. The novel is notable for its tense and suspenseful atmosphere and clever solution.
These five novels have become some of the most popular and well-known works by Agatha Christie and are examples of her mastery of the mystery fiction genre. They are gripping and thrilling stories that will keep readers guessing until the very end.