Top 10 Best Hercule Poirot Tales

1. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

   A wealthy man is murdered in his country home shortly after learning a dangerous secret. Poirot investigates the household and uncovers the killer hiding in plain sight.

   The best mystery I have ever read and one of the few books that were hyped a lot (to me) and surpassed the hype! This is the magnum opus of Agatha Christie. If you are going to read only one mystery book in your life, this should be the one. Simply amazing.

   Simply brilliant! An incredible twist at the end keeps the readers guessing until the last page. Mind-blowing - the best Christie book ever!

   I've always wanted to read a book like this, but the chance of actually finding one and being ignorant of the ending is so low! This book blew my mind.

2. Murder on the Orient Express

   A passenger is found dead on a snowbound train with multiple stab wounds. Poirot reveals that nearly everyone aboard had a role in the crime.

   I absolutely love this book! The amount of thought that Agatha Christie put into all the details that go into the ending is amazing. I've read it and reread it many times, and each time I seem to notice another little hint that I missed the last time through.

   Awesome book. The ending is so shocking. It is a perfect combination of mystery and thrill. I love this book. It's great. No doubt that Agatha Christie is one of the greatest writers on this earth.

   Unthinkable ending! This is rather an unusual murder mystery. Read a few others before you read this one, because this one is truly a revelation in the history of murder mysteries!

3. Death on the Nile

   A honeymoon river cruise turns deadly when a young bride is shot on board. Poirot untangles a web of jealousy, money, and deception among the travelers.

   Fabulous characters, fast-paced, historic setting, and lots and lots of blood! Read it and see it. The film adaptations of this novel are all good.

   Superb! One of Mrs. Christie's most astounding achievements! Not a single page goes by without you being a little confused, but thrilled at the same time!

   Fantastic! The best mystery of all. Very cleverly written and described.

4. The A.B.C. Murders

   A serial killer leaves an alphabetical trail of victims across England. Poirot races to anticipate the next move and expose the hidden motive.

   Pure genius. The red herrings Christie throws around in the novel are absolutely thrilling.

   Unpredictable and intelligent, very different from the other Poirot novels.

5. Five Little Pigs

   A woman convicted of poisoning her husband years earlier claims innocence before her death. Poirot interviews five key witnesses to reconstruct the past and determine the truth.

   I just love this book! The characters are so well described. The whole plot, where Caroline Crale does not protest her innocence except in a letter to her daughter, is so interesting. And, of course, to find out the truth after all these years is fascinating. Elsa Green's eyes having a strange look captured in Amyas's painting - there are a lot of things to love in this book. Also, the events are retold several times, but only Poirot understands what they really mean and puts them all together!

   All of Agatha Christie's stories are phenomenal. However, Five Little Pigs has always grabbed me from the start. I think that along with Sad Cypress and Hercule Poirot's Christmas, Five Little Pigs is up there as one of the best.

6. Hercule Poirot's Christmas

   A tyrannical patriarch is murdered in his locked bedroom during a family gathering. Poirot sorts through bitter resentments and hidden grudges to find the culprit.

   The conclusion is shocking, and the entire deduction is far better than Sherlock Holmes.

   The best Agatha Christie book ever. 100 times better than The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.

   One of the most unexpected twists ever!

7. Cards on the Table

   Four detectives and four suspected killers gather for a bridge game hosted by a mysterious collector. When the host is found stabbed, Poirot must deduce which guest acted on their deadly potential.

   This book shows the greatest difference between Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. While the former depends on evidence and deduction based on evidence more than psychology, Poirot deals with human psychology more than anything else. This is a hallmark of that element of his character.

   Rediscovered this as a book club book. The psychological elements will stir great discussion.

   Of course, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is the best, but this book is also great. In the end, you can never guess who the murderer is.

8. Evil Under the Sun

   On a seaside holiday, a glamorous woman is strangled on the beach. Poirot pieces together the movements of resort guests to reveal a carefully staged murder.

   Surprise ending that you can enjoy looking back to see how Poirot put the pieces together.

   Great plot, lovely setting, and a surprising revelation!

9. The Mystery of the Blue Train

   A wealthy heiress is murdered on a luxury train traveling to the French Riviera. Poirot tracks stolen jewels and complicated relationships to solve the case.

10. Lord Edgware Dies

    An actress claims she wished her husband dead, and shortly afterward he is murdered. Poirot investigates her alibi and uncovers unexpected connections.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Elephants Can Remember

    

    Poirot investigates a decades-old mystery involving a couple's apparent murder-suicide. He interviews witnesses to reconstruct the past and uncover long-buried truths.

12. ?

    Three Act Tragedy

    

    A harmless dinner party ends with the host collapsing from poison. Poirot links the event to a series of murders staged like acts in a play.

The Contenders

13. Curtain

    At Styles, the site of his first case, Poirot faces a killer who manipulates others into committing murder. The investigation becomes his final battle as he makes a fateful choice.

    Genius. In my opinion, this is the best Poirot book. Yes, better than Roger Ackroyd, better than Orient Express. No other book like it.

14. Peril at End House

    Poirot encounters a young woman who has narrowly escaped several attempts on her life. He works to uncover who is targeting her before the attacks succeed.

    Poirot's best novel. Slightly darker than usual, with very interesting characterizations.

    Pleasant setting, surprising ending.

15. Hickory Dickory Dock

    When thefts and later murders occur in a student hostel, Poirot is called in. He discovers links between the crimes and the residents' hidden pasts.

16. The Big Four

    Poirot confronts an international crime syndicate seeking world domination. The story follows his efforts to unmask the mysterious leaders known as the Big Four.

    I know it is not a typical whodunit and is different from all her other books, but this was my first Christie, and I fell totally in love with Poirot. The little plots were amazing!

    Easily one of my favorite Poirot stories! I don't care if he is going James Bond. It is AMAZING!

17. Murder in Mesopotamia

    While in Iraq, Poirot investigates the bludgeoning of an archaeologist's wife inside a dig house. He finds the motive rooted in hidden identities and past secrets.

    This is such an awesome novel with so many teasing storylines. The result was kept silent until the very end.

    This is really the best book ever! Such an awesome story!

18. The Mysterious Affair at Styles

    Poirot's first case involves the poisoning of a wealthy woman at her country estate. Through his methodical approach, he reveals how the crime was executed and by whom.

19. Dumb Witness

    Poirot looks into the suspicious death of an elderly woman who left her fortune to relatives. A clue involving her dog helps him piece together the truth.

    I loved this one. Poor Emily might have lived if only her letter had reached Poirot. Bob the dog is great too.

20. The Murder on the Links

    

    Poirot is summoned to France by a wealthy man fearing for his life, only to arrive after the man's murder. A second body complicates the case, forcing Poirot to unravel a tangle of motives.

21. The Hollow

    

    During a weekend gathering, a man is shot beside the swimming pool. Poirot investigates the strained relationships and conflicting testimonies of the guests.

    The characters are so interesting and complex that Christie doesn't need to resort to a gimmick to make the ending satisfying. The main themes are subtle, unexplored, and controversial. This was the first of its kind.

    I loved this book. There are a lot of great ones, but this tops the list for me.

22. Sad Cypress

    

    A young woman is accused of poisoning her romantic rival. Poirot reconstructs the circumstances to determine whether she is guilty or a victim of circumstance.

    The first part of the novel is slower, but the end is phenomenal and makes perfect sense of the motive.

    Although it has a slow start, the ending is totally worth it!

23. Appointment with Death

    

    On a trip to the Middle East, a cruel matriarch is found dead at Petra. Poirot examines the family's deep resentments and suppressed emotions to identify the murderer.

    While on an archaeological dig in Syria (1937), Lady Boynton appears to have been stabbed to death. Luckily, Hercule Poirot is at the dig as well and is quick on the case.

24. Cat Among the Pigeons

    

    At a girls' school, a teacher is shot in the gym. Poirot uncovers connections between the crime, missing jewels, and international intrigue.

    While Poirot is staying at the school of a friend, a murder occurs, and it seems Princess Shaista, who has been attending the school, has been kidnapped.

25. Death in the Clouds

    A woman is murdered with a poisoned dart during a flight from Paris to London. Poirot analyzes the passengers' behavior to reveal how the attack was carried out midair.

    Why isn't this higher? This one had perhaps my favorite characters. And the ending is great!

26. Hallowe'en Party

    

    At a village party, a girl boasting about having seen a murder is later drowned in a tub of apples. Poirot investigates her claim and its connection to past events.

    Hercule Poirot is called to investigate the drowning of a child at a Halloween party.

27. The Chocolate Box

    Poirot recalls an old case from his time in Belgium involving a poisoned box of chocolates. The investigation tested his principles and revealed an unexpected solution.

    Not every mystery has to be a grand adventure. Let's relax with a story by the fire...