As you probably know if you have been following my blog, in May 2020 (on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the publication of the first book with the Belgian sleuth) I started listening to all of Hercule Poirot’s short stories and novels, in chronological order of publication.
I had read some of them before, but I was looking for a broader view, just as I had done before that with Sherlock Holmes.
There’s a total of 45 works, and I’m almost done.
In some collections, there were a few stories with Miss Marple, and I realized it didn’t work too well for me in audio.
So I decided not to listen to that series, nor probably to Christie’s other series, unless you strongly encourage me to do so.
So I need your help today, to come up with a list of your favorite standalones by Agatha Christie, as I feel I should listen to a few more.
So tell me, what are YOUR favorite standalone novels or short story collections by Agatha Christie, and why you think I should read them. If I count correctly, I think she has a total of 21 standalone works. I have read a few, and my favorite of all is And Then There Were None.
Which one(s) should I absolutely read, and why?
Thanks for your help!
Words And Peace 
My three top standalone novels by Christie are Crooked House, And Then There Were None, and Sparkling Cyanide. But I don’t know if any of those would be good to listen to.
I will be interested in what others suggest.
Tracy K / Bitter Tea and Mystery
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Thanks! I was very shocked with Crooked House, so much that I haven’t forgotten. But I have never read Sparkling Cyanide, so thanks!
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Well, I would encourage you to read the Tommy and Tuppence books in order – they’re a delight. The Mysterioius Mr. Quin is great fun, as is Parker Pyne Investigates. There are other standalones which are more leaning towards thrillers and wonderful reads. And don’t dismiss poor Miss Marple – do give her another try. I love her!
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Thanks! I love her in writing and also in the TV series, but in audio, it feels like it puts the stress too much on the gossipy aspect. Ok, I need to look more closely at Tommy and Tuppence!
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Tommy and Tuppence are my favorites!
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Sounds like I definitely need to revisit my plans!
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Tommy & Tuppence were my favourite Christie detectives too. Loved their origin story (The Secret Adversary) and N or M? in particular.
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wow, I’m asking for standalones, but 3 of you encourage me to read this series. So I’m going to listen to the voices of wisdom here
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My personal favourite Christie is probably Endless Night, which is a standalone – it’s very different from most of her work, more of a psychological thriller than a murder mystery, and the Hugh Fraser audiobook is wonderful.
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Thanks! I read it and participated in a readalong https://wordsandpeace.com/2011/06/27/review-48-cool-down-with-agatha-christie-%E2%80%93-endless-night-discussion/. But it’s a long time ago, so it would be good to revisit, especially with Hugh Fraser, definitely my favorite narrator for Agatha Christie’s books
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I wish I could offer a suggestion or two, but I’ve never read anything of Agatha Christie. I am sure these experts will lead you to their favorites, and you will love what you find.
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Deb, you really need to try her, she’s really an amazing author. I suggest you start with And Then There Were None
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Oh wow I’m so help whatsoever since I’ve hardly read Christie, but I will say in terms of the ones I WANT to read, probably Death on the Nile and Blue Train maybe are towards the top of my list (or Orient, having seen the various film versions but still want to experience the book obviously). I know, not much help, but… fun post ha ha!?!
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I have already read these, but thanks for trying anyway, these are really great ones
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I think it’s a great idea to listen to the Agatha Christie novels. So glad I stumbled on your post, because I guess I need to add a Christie to Fraterfest this month.
Tommy & Tuppence are fun reads? Mostly a bit lighter than Poirot I would say. And then there were none is of course the best stand alone. There might be a couple of choices for an audio reading. Let me know if you find one that you enjoy….
Hope you are well otherwise Emma!
Elza Reads
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We’ll see, I’ll post updates on that discussion in December, when I get closer to ending this current project. I need to weigh the comments here and make choices
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I don’t read many crime stoires but I read Hercule Poirot’s Short Stories and I watched all of the David Suchet and Peter Ustinov films plus “Murder on the Orient Express”, of course. I love the Hercule Poirot stories but I also love Miss Marple but haven’t read any of hers, yet. So, couldn’t give you advice.
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I also love a lot the TV series with David Suchet. He is my favorite Poirot
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Mine, as well. He IS Hercule Poirot.
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Exactly. His book Poirot and Me is really good too!
But strange enough, he is not good at all as a narrator of audiobooks. Hugh Fraser is superb in that job
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Since i don’t listen to audiobooks, I have no idea who would be the better narrator but I can imagine Hugh Fraser doing a fabulous job. I think he does more audiobooks than just the Poirot ones. Anyway, I always have to chuckle when I see him because his wife, Belinda Lang, played the mother in a very popular British series “2.4 children” and I always imagine him at her side in that role. LOL
Will have to check for “Poirot and Me”, sounds great. Thanks.
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Yes, he can do so many characters, with so many voices and tones. He imitates perfectly the voice of Suchet for Poirot in the TV series.
David Suchet doesn’t know how to narrate female voices. Often too high pitch
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Proboably because his natural voice is quite deep and he already speaks with a lot higher pitch for Hercule.
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Good point, I never thought of that
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The first Christie book I ever read was The Man in the Brown Suit — so I may be biased in its favor, but I think it’s a great standalone. I also liked her collection, “The Hound of Death and Other Stories” which I think had some non-mystery stories also. Hope this helps!
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Thanks, The Man in the Brown Suit might actually be the first one I listened to, about 15 years ago. Will look into The Hound of Death and Other Stories. One in the Poirot series is also not totally on mystery, and it was fascinating
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I’m also re-reading Agatha Christie, but I’m very far behind you ! And then there were none is the one that struck me the most, as a standalone but just as a very good book, unfortunately I’ll have to re-read others to think about a title. I’m sorry I can’t suggest anything !
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No problem. Yes And Then There Were None is fabulous, my favorite of all
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And Then There Were None is a favourite of mine as well. Tommy and Tuppence are fun, especially the first book. Many of her early books are quite fun and lighthearted, so in you are in the mood for that I can also recommend The Seven Dials or The Secret of Chimneys. But generally, I like most of her books.
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ooh, thanks for these 2 standalone recommendations
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No problem. Perhaps they are a bit silly and definitely less serious than the Poirot series. But when I’m in the right mood I love books like that.
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Now I’m even more curious with the word silly associated with Agatha Christie!
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