What Poirot Novel to Read and When - Seasonal Favourites
There are certain Agatha Christie novels I like to read at certain points throughout the year – call it part of the immersive experience but I feel I absolutely have to read Evil Under the Sun on a sunny day in England and obviously, the only time to read Hercule Poirot’s Christmas is during the festive season itself. Below is the EverythingAgatha reading list for which Agatha Christie Poirot novel to read and when…
Spring
Although not specifically called out as being set in the Spring for some reason I always read Murder on the Links at this time of year - Dumb witness is more specific in that it is set just after Easter as reference is made to visits made over the Easter weekend shortly before. Cat Among the Pigeons is also set in the Easter term leading up to the summer holidays but I always prefer to read this as a 'back to school' novel for September so I've added it there too ...finally, last for Spring...Peril at End House leads wonderfully into the summer.
Spring
A wealthy business man entreats Poirot for help as he is in fear of his life - when Poirot arrives at the appointment though, he is too late! Join Poirot and Hastings in this murder mystery set in France.
Poirot and Hastings are joined - and dare we say outdone - by another side kick - Bob the English terrier! After the death of a wealthy widow who has a grasping family fighting over the will - can this threesome get to the truth?
Often underestimated in our opinion but this novel warrants being on any top Christie list - it's got it all with plenty of murders, a hint of espionage (but not too much) kidnapping and even stolen jewels...and all within the setting of an all girls school. We love reading this in September when the new term starts.
Hastings and Poirot are at the English coast where they meet the beautiful 'Nic' Buckley, a young lady who has had three near death escapes in recent weeks - can they stop another attempt on Miss Buckley's life before it's too late?
Summer
A lot of Christie's Poirot novels are set in the summer in England - we first meet Poirot at styles during a hot June and that's also the last time we meet him, Ameas Crale needs a nice cold beer for a hot summers day...Evil Under the Sun is set during the hot English summer - to quote Patrick Redfern "God, it’s a marvellous day! If you do get a real summer’s day in England there’s nothing to beat it."...finally, God, it’s a marvellous day! If you do get a real summer’s day in England there’s nothing to beat it.’marrows are due for harvesting at the end of the season - so late summer heading into Autumn is the perfect time to read 'the Murder of Roger Ackroyd'.
An obvious novel to start with for a first time Christie reader - this book introduces us to 'probably the best detective in the world'...the infamous Hercule Poirot! Written in the first person narrator format with our favourite English gent, Captain Arthur Hastings
Also known under the title 'Go Back for Murder' - this is a favourite among many Christie fans for the clever way in which Christie demonstrates how one day can be remembered very differently from one character to another. A smaller pool of suspects than some other novels but a clever narrative style from the Queen of Crime.
Now both elderly men, Poirot and Hastings are back where it all began, at Styles court - and guess what...there's been a murder. Can Hastings help Poirot get to the bottom of what will be their final case together?
If only to meet the wonderful character and femme fatale that is Arlena Marshall - Evil Under the Sun is the perfect summer time read!
Once you've read this you'll never forget it - this is Christie at her best and one of her all time best novels let alone a best Poirot novel. A must for any new Christie fan and a great one to have at the top of your reading lists.
Autumn
Cat Among the Pigeons is actually set just after the Easter Term before the summer holidays but I always prefer to read this while all the 'Back to School' stuff is in the shops and the new term is kicking off for kids and students everywhere. Likewise, the student hostel setting for Hickory Dickory Dock always makes me think of those days at uni - heading back for the new term each year...The Hollow is a great Autumn read (the ITV episode shows the beauty of the English countryside with the leaves changing perfectly if you just want to stay in on a wet day and watch Suchet in action). Hallowe'en party - well, it has to be at end of October of course!
Often underestimated in our opinion but this novel warrants being on any top Christie list - it's got it all with plenty of murders, a hint of espionage (but not too much) kidnapping and even stolen jewels...and all within the setting of an all girls school. We love reading this in September when the new term starts.
Things have been going missing from a students hostel in London - what appears to be a simple case of kleptomania soon develops into much more though...murder!
Our two ‘back to school/uni books to kick off the start of term…
Gerda Christow is found standing over the body of her husband - he's been shot - and she's holding a gun in her hand. An open and shut case? Perhaps not - only Poirot can get to the truth in this classic country house murder mystery.
After a child is murdered at a Hallowe'en Party, Ariadne calls for Poirot help in solving the crime.
Winter
Although set mostly in the hot sunny climate of Egypt, the events in Death on the Nile actually take please in January/February with the English travellers escaping the dreary English winter so this fits as both a sunny holiday read and a Winter novel - Hercule Poirot's Christmas speaks for itself (I like to try and read each chapter on the actual date given if possible) and lastly...the snowy cold conditions of 'Murder on the Orient Express' just make me want to curl up with a hot chocolate or a 'tisane' to keep warm while I read!
There's no book we reach for more at Christmas - this is the perfect seasonal book to read throughout the festive season. A closed circle novel set in a country mansion - classic Christie at her best!
One of Agatha Christie's most famous novels and a go to Murder Mystery. We recommend reading this one early as it's alluded to in other Poirot novels such as Dead Man's Folly. Caught in a snow drift with a murderer on the train...perfect as a winter read too.
Set in Egypt ith a fantastic set of characters and an above average body count - this is one of our favourites. A perfect holiday read with plenty of plot twists, red herrings and a suspect pool to keep you gripped from start to finish.
Holiday Reads
These are the Poirot novels I find best to read while on holiday - even better I prefer to listen to the audiobook so i can lie back on a sun lounger with my eyes closed while keeping my hands free for an all important sip of my cocktail - heaven!
If only to meet the wonderful character and femme fatale that is Arlena Marshall - Evil Under the Sun is the perfect summer time read!
'You do see don't you, that she's got to be killed?'...words Poirot over hears just before the bullying Lady Boynton is found stabbed while visiting Petra in Jerusalem. Was it really one of her oppressed family or could it have been someone else on the trip?
Set in Egypt ith a fantastic set of characters and an above average body count - this is one of our favourites. A perfect holiday read with plenty of plot twists, red herrings and a suspect pool to keep you gripped from start to finish.
While visiting an archaeological dig in Mesopotamia (Iraq) Poirot becomes involved in the murder of Mrs Lousie Leidner - but who in the dig team is the killer? Could it really have been her first husband whom is believed to be dead?
Travel Reading
If travelling on a long train journey then there are two obvious books to grab - it's my dream to travel by the Orient Express and read Agatha Christie's famous novel while doing so. As a fan of audiobooks, I have also really enjoyed listening to the opening chapter of 'Death in the Clouds' whilst sitting in my seat on a plane just as we're taking off. I try to time it exactly to coincide with Jane Grey's description of taking off, listing rather than reading and using noise cancelling headphones also helps drown out some of the aeroplane racket as well!
Wealthy American heiress Ruth Kettering has been given the famous 'Heart of Fire' ruby necklace as a gift by her father - no one really believes the rumours about tragedy befalling those who wear it until Ruth is found murdered, on the Blue Train.
One of Agatha Christie's most famous novels and a go to Murder Mystery. We recommend reading this one early as it's alluded to in other Poirot novels such as Dead Man's Folly. Caught in a snow drift with a murderer on the train...perfect as a winter read too.
Poirot doesn't like to fly - Mon estomac! - so when a money lender is killed on the flight he is on from Paris, he determines to find the culprit by identifying the psychological moment at which they must have struck!