USA Reading Lists
The 1930s: A Reading List
There are so many stellar stories to explore in Agatha Christie's 1930s published works. As we were putting this list together for the World of Agatha Christie Magazine series, we realised we had already included some Christie favourites (Murder on the Orient Express) in a whopping seven other reading lists... So, this list isn't intended to be a comprehensive guide to every book the Queen of Crime wrote during this prolific decade. Instead, it explores some of the more overlooked works of genius she wrote and published in this period. We couldn't resist including a few of her biggest titles though. Enjoy!
The Murder at the Vicarage [1930]
The charming Vicar, Leonard Clement, leads us through the village goings-on in St Mary Mead. But when the hateful Colonel Protheroe is found dead at the vicarage, the consequences are profound. Confessions, arrests and misdirection follow. Can the old dears of the community crack the case? Miss Marple certainly has a list of suspects.
The Mysterious Mr Quin [1930]
Each of the stand-alone mysteries in this collection have one key thing in common - the timely arrival of the eponymous Mr Quin. Readers can expect to rub shoulders with high society in stories that transport them to Monte Carlo, London’s famous Royal Opera House, as well as a casino on the French Riviera. The cases range from suspicious deaths to serious theft, and show plenty of Christie’s unique flair. Enjoy.
Lord Edgware Dies [1933]
When the caustic Lord Edgware is found murdered, Poirot is already acquainted with the chief suspect: Edgware’s second wife Jane, who had been seeking a divorce. What extremes might she have gone to to get one? With 12 witnesses revealing her innocence, Inspector Japp has several others to interrogate. Who will get to the bottom of the case first?
Celia’s ideas about marriage were limited in the extreme. Marriage, for her, was the ‘living happily ever afterwards’ of her favourite fairy tales. She saw no difficulties in it, no possibilities of shipwreck.
Unfinished Portrait [1934]
Christie’s second novel written under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott is her most personal. We learn of Celia via Larraby, a painter who shares his written portrait of a grieving woman. We discover what has led them to this cliff top encounter. Those familiar with Christie’s autobiography will enjoy spotting nods to it in this emotionally-charged novel.
Why Didn't They Ask Evans? [1934]
Bobby’s job as a golf caddy feels mundane after the Navy. Determined to find a new role to please his ordained father, he doesn’t expect to become embroiled in a suspicious death. As he chases shadowy figures with childhood friend Lady Frances (Frankie), the pair become both emboldened and endangered by their amateur sleuthing.
Parker Pyne Investigates [1934]
From disgruntled spouses to those bored of the daily grind, former civil servant Parker Pyne helps people to solve their problems from his London office in the first half of the collection. In the remaining stories readers travel the world with the unusual detective, whose holidays are interrupted by ransom notes, a poisoning, and devious imposters.
Cards on the Table [1934]
Four killers. Four detectives. One dead man. Mr Shaitana, known for his flamboyant albeit peculiar parties, is an avid collector, but not in the way one might think… He is particularly interested in the art of murder. Shaitana
invites eight people for a night of bridge, but the game soon turns deadly. Which killer committed the crime, and which detective can solve it?
You have the melodramatic soul, Hastings. You would like, not one murder, but a series of murders.
The ABC Murders [1936]
Hastings assists Poirot on his trickiest case yet: a murderer is targeting victims using the ABC Railway Guide. Will they live to regret taunting the great detective? An urgent need to hunt down the killer means the duo must travel England by train to spot clues from the crime scenes. How many will die at the hands of this ruthless perpetrator?
Dumb Witness [1937]
A letter from beyond the grave reaches Hercule Poirot, who is assisted by the easily-flustered Hastings. The death of a wealthy spinster, Emily Arundell, in the town of Market Basing is blamed on her terrier Bob’s mischievous ball games, but the correspondence has Poirot questioning the circumstances. Plenty have something to gain from the will – money talks, but will the witness?
Death on the Nile [1937]
An atmospheric Egyptian cruise is blighted by threats. Heiress Linnet Doyle is on board with her new husband, Simon, but they hadn’t anticipated his ex fiancée would join them. Jacqueline is plagued with jealousy, which some choice words from Papa Poirot cannot quell. A colourful assortment of holiday makers are also on board: a romance novelist; a belligerent communist and Linnet’s trustee amongst them. As tension builds shots will be fired.
And Then There Were None [1939]
Ten strangers are on a terrifying trip to Soldier Island. As the guests settle in the isolated house, a record player exposes them as suspected murderers. Haunted by the accusations, none can escape during the terrible storm. And then the visitors begin to die, one by one… The best-selling mystery novel of all time, this is a book you won’t want to miss.
Each of them went into his or her own room, and each of them automatically, almost without conscious thought, locked the door . . .
