Agatha Christie Poirot Novels in Order: How to Actually Read the Belgian Detective

Honestly, if you're trying to tackle the Agatha Christie Poirot novels in order, you’re probably looking for a sense of logic in a series that is notoriously chaotic. It's funny. Hercule Poirot, a man who literally cannot stand a picture frame being slightly tilted, has a bibliography that is a bit of a mess if you try to follow his "life" chronologically.

He first appeared in The Mysterious Affair at Styles in 1920. Christie wrote that during World War I while working as a pharmacy dispenser. That’s why the poisons are so accurate. But here's the thing: Poirot was already a retired Belgian police officer then. He was "old." By the time Christie finished the final book, Curtain, published in 1975, Poirot would have technically been about 125 years old if we followed a strict timeline.

Most people just want to know where to start. Do you go by publication date? Or do you try to piece together the internal timeline of his life? Usually, publication order is the way to go because it shows Christie’s evolution as a writer. She actually grew to loathe Poirot, calling him a "detestable, bombastic, tiresome little creature," yet she kept writing him because the public was obsessed.

The Early Years: When the Mustache Was New

The 1920s were the foundational years. The Mysterious Affair at Styles introduces the essentials: the egg-shaped head, the obsession with "order and method," and his long-suffering friend, Captain Arthur Hastings. Hastings is basically the "Watson" of the series. He’s lovable but, let’s be real, he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.

After Styles, we get The Murder on the Links (1923). This one is great because it introduces a rival—a French detective named Giraud who hunts for clues on his hands and knees like a dog. Poirot just sits back and uses his "little grey cells." It’s a classic trope, but Christie makes it work. Then there's the short story collection Poirot Investigates (1924).

Then 1926 happened. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.

If you haven't read Ackroyd, stop everything. It changed the genre. It was so controversial at the time that Christie was accused of "cheating" the reader. Some members of the Detection Club were legitimately annoyed. It’s the book that cemented her as the "Queen of Crime."

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The Golden Era: 1930 to 1945

This is where the Agatha Christie Poirot novels in order really start to hit their stride. This fifteen-year stretch produced the "Big Three" that everyone knows.

First, Murder on the Orient Express (1934). It’s probably the most famous mystery ever written. The setting is claustrophobic—a train stuck in a snowdrift. The solution is audacious. Even if you've seen the movies, the prose in the book is sharper. It feels colder.

Then we get Death on the Nile (1937). This is Poirot at his most empathetic, actually. He tries to warn Linnet Ridgeway about the "deadly" nature of love before the murders even start. It’s lush, travel-heavy, and features one of the most complex alibis Christie ever engineered.

A Quick Detour into the 1930s List

1. Peril at End House (1932) – A personal favorite. It’s set in Cornwall and has a killer twist.
2. Lord Edgware Dies (1933) – Also known as Thirteen at Dinner.
3. Three Act Tragedy (1934) – Notable because it features Mr. Satterthwaite, who usually hangs out with Christie's other character, Harley Quin.
4. Death in the Clouds (1935) – A murder on a plane. Poirot gets airsick. It’s relatable.
5. The ABC Murders (1936) – This is the first "serial killer" novel in the series. It’s terrifying because the victims seem random.
6. Cards on the Table (1936) – Four detectives and four suspected murderers play bridge. It’s a masterpiece of psychological profiling.
7. Dumb Witness (1937) – There is a dog named Bob. The dog is a witness. Enough said.
8. Appointment with Death (1938) – Set in Petra. The victim is a monstrous matriarch.
9. Hercule Poirot's Christmas (1938) – A very bloody, very "locked room" mystery.
10. Sad Cypress (1940) – More of a courtroom drama/romance blend.

The Mid-Century Shift: A Grittier Poirot

By the 1940s and 50s, the world was changing. World War II happened. The cozy English village was disappearing. Christie’s writing reflected this. The stories became less about "games" and more about the darkness of the human soul.

Five Little Pigs (1942) is arguably her best-written novel. It’s a "cold case." Poirot is hired to prove the innocence of a woman hanged sixteen years prior. He interviews five people who were there. It’s a tour de force of subjective memory. It’s quiet, mournful, and brilliant.

Then you have The Hollow (1946). Christie actually regretted putting Poirot in this one. She felt he ruined the "atmosphere" of the country house drama she was building. It’s a very "literary" book. If you like character studies, this is the one.

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The Late Period: When Things Get Weird

The 1960s were weird for everyone, including Agatha Christie. She was in her 70s and 80s, and you can see her struggling to understand "the youth." Third Girl (1966) features "mods" and "hippies" in London. It’s a bit cringey in places, but Poirot’s confusion is genuinely funny.

Hallowe'en Party (1969) is another late entry. It’s darker, almost macabre. A girl is drowned in an apple-bobbing tub after claiming she witnessed a murder. It’s not her best, but it has a strange, haunting quality that Kenneth Branagh recently tapped into for his movie adaptation.

The Final Bow

Curtain: Poirot's Last Case was actually written during the Blitz in the 1940s. Christie knew she might not survive the war, so she wrote an ending for her most famous character and locked it in a bank vault for thirty years.

She eventually published it in 1975, the year before she died.

It takes Poirot back to Styles Court, the site of his first case. He’s old, arthritic, and using a wheelchair. It is a devastating book. When it was released, the New York Times actually ran a full-page obituary for Hercule Poirot on the front page. He is the only fictional character to ever receive that honor.

How to Read the Agatha Christie Poirot Novels in Order: The Practical List

If you want the full experience, here is the publication sequence. Don't worry about the "internal dates"—Poirot exists in a sort of timeless bubble.

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• The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920)
• The Murder on the Links (1923)
• Christmas Adventure (Short Story, 1923)
• The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926)
• The Big Four (1927) – This one is basically a spy thriller. It's weird and many fans dislike it, but it’s part of the canon.
• The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928) – Christie hated writing this. She was going through her divorce at the time.
• Peril at End House (1932)
• Lord Edgware Dies (1933)
• Murder on the Orient Express (1934)
• Three Act Tragedy (1934)
• Death in the Clouds (1935)
• The ABC Murders (1936)
• Murder in Mesopotamia (1936) – Inspired by Christie’s time at archaeological digs with her husband, Max Mallowan.
• Cards on the Table (1936)
• Dumb Witness (1937)
• Death on the Nile (1937)
• Appointment with Death (1938)
• Hercule Poirot's Christmas (1938)
• Sad Cypress (1940)
• One, Two, Buckle My Shoe (1940)
• Evil Under the Sun (1941) – The ultimate "vacation murder."
• Five Little Pigs (1942)
• The Hollow (1946)
• Taken at the Flood (1948)
• Mrs. McGinty's Dead (1952) – Introduces Ariadne Oliver, a mystery writer who is basically Christie’s self-parody.
• After the Funeral (1953)
• Hickory Dickory Dock (1955)
• Dead Man's Folly (1956)
• Cat Among the Pigeons (1959)
• The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (Short Stories, 1960)
• The Clocks (1963)
• Third Girl (1966)
• Hallowe'en Party (1969)
• Elephants Can Remember (1972) – A very late, somewhat rambling entry, but interesting for its focus on memory.
• Curtain (1975)

Why the Order Matters (and Why It Doesn't)

Look, you don't have to read them in order. Most Poirot stories are self-contained. However, there are minor spoilers for previous books. For example, in Lord Edgware Dies, Poirot mentions the solution to The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. If you haven't read Ackroyd, you’ll be annoyed.

Also, the character of Ariadne Oliver grows over time. Watching her relationship with Poirot develop from Cards on the Table through to Elephants Can Remember is one of the joys of the series.

Then there's the Hastings factor. He leaves to get married and move to Argentina early on, but he pops back in for "guest appearances." If you read them out of order, Hastings' life will seem like he's teleporting across the Atlantic at random.

What Most People Get Wrong

People think Poirot is a "superhero." He's not. He's a man who values human psychology over physical evidence. He often says that "the facts" don't matter as much as "the nature of the person."

Another misconception? That the books are "cozy." Some are, sure. But books like Five Little Pigs or Curtain are deeply tragic. They deal with miscarriage of justice, betrayal, and the crushing weight of time. Christie wasn't just writing puzzles; she was writing about why people kill. Usually, it's for money or love. Sometimes, it's just for spite.

Your Next Steps for a Poirot Binge

If you're ready to dive in, don't just buy a "Complete Works" set and start at page one. That's a recipe for burnout. Try this:

1. Start with the "Big Three": Read Murder on the Orient Express, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, and Death on the Nile. This will tell you if you actually like Christie’s style.
2. Pick a "Themed" Read: If you like history, go for Murder in Mesopotamia. If you like psychological puzzles, go for Five Little Pigs.
3. Track the Short Stories: Many people skip the collections like The Labours of Hercules. Don't. They are bite-sized examples of her genius.
4. Save Curtain for Last: Seriously. Do not read it until you have at least ten other Poirot books under your belt. The emotional payoff requires you to actually care about the "tiresome little creature."

Reading the Agatha Christie Poirot novels in order is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time. Pay attention to the way she describes a room or a casual remark by a maid. In Christie’s world, nothing is ever accidental. That’s the beauty of it.