Agatha Christie: Queen Of Crime
When it comes to crime, Agatha Christie reigns supreme. Her following has remained unparalleled since her publication, and with sixty-six novels and fourteen short story collections, she has defined the genre that is murder mystery and stayed a staple of the book-crime-scene. Every story has its own unique flair, but here are three particularly memorable novels which showcase Christie’s exceptional and incomparable writing.
And Then There Were None (1939)
This tantalising mystery lures readers in just as Christie lures ten complex characters to a remote rock off the Devon coast. Shrouded in mystery from the start, each guest is suspected of murder when one of them is killed, while the host remains absent. With an array of intriguing characters and a haunting rhyme throughout, it’s the subtle, yet persistent, theme of absence which creates a building sense of fear that readers are unable to escape. More aptly, this Gothic mystery blends the genres of horror and crime with the superior plotting and pervasive atmosphere that Christie creates with panache.
Murder On The Orient Express (1934)
Perhaps one of Christie’s most renowned mysteries, this novel sees another chilling murder stump Mr Hercule Poirot – only this time, it all happens on a train. What makes this classic truly timeless, is (among many things), its setting. Readers are taken aboard the Simplon Orient Express and, as well as admiring the sleeper’s grand features, share the unnerving claustrophobia bubbling beneath the surface as it dawns on the passengers that a murderer is among them. The transience of travel, coupled with the exotic variety of characters, make this read experiential; Christie manages to make you a passenger, a witness, a conspirator, along with the others, on a wild ride full of shocks.
Death On The Nile (1937)
This book has continued to captivate readers since its publication, showcasing Christie’s supreme skill to interweave complex characters, an enthralling plot, and a sumptuous setting. This time, a wealthy heiress is murdered on the Karnak – a luxurious cruise ship journeying along Egypt’s River Nile. As the Karnak is led down the Nile’s luring twists and turns, so is the plot, as every new revelation brings to light the fallibility of humankind. It’s the latter which keeps this story forever relevant to its enormous, modern readership; Christie manages to entertain her readers all the while making them reflect on what motivates people, and the inevitable consequences of their actions.
So, whether you’re an avid crime reader, or new to the genre entirely, Christie will succeed in keeping you guessing, and captured, at every turn. Deeply interesting characters, enveloping settings, and unpredictable plotting, are just a some of the wonders Christie’s reads will bring.
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Jessica Lucas is a qualified English Language teaching professional and specialises in educational content creation.