UK Reading Lists
Read Christie 2026
Welcome to Read Christie 2026! This year's reading challenge will focus on Agatha Christie's Biggest, Best and Beloved stories! We'll be reading a new book each month, plus throughout the year we will cover An Autobiography.
From the biggest inspiration to the best to read in one setting, beloved in your collection to the best according to Christie, our reading prompts promise to deliver a year of fantastic stories for fans. Plus, we will be providing book club guides, pertinent questions, and plenty of insights to help you get the most out of the challenge.
To take part in the reading challenge, sign up to our monthly newsletter to receive the official printable postcard, where you can fill in your chosen book each month.
Our January Choice: The Body in the Library
This January, we’ll be starting the year strong with the theme ‘best opening’, and we’ll be reading The Body in the Library, celebrating its memorable first few pages. Miss Marple’s friend, Mrs Bantry, is awoken from her pleasant early-morning dream by a housemaid who has made a grave discovery…
What's it about?
The body of a young woman is found in the library of the respectable Bantry household, wearing evening dress and heavy make-up, and no one seems to recognise her. Rather thrilled by the prospect of a mystery, Mrs Bantry calls her old friend Miss Marple to help solve the matter, and her sharp observations soon reveal that the case is far more complex that it first appears.
An alibi is the fishiest thing on God’s earth! No innocent person ever has an alibi!
Did you know?
- The Body in the Library was adapted for TV in 1984, starring Joan Hickson as Marple, her first appearance in what would become an acclaimed role for her.
- The novel’s title appears in Christie’s earlier work Cards on the Table, where the character Ariadne Oliver reveals that she has written a crime novel titled The Body in the Library.
Alternative stories
It’s up to you to decide which are the Biggest, Best and Beloved Christie stories, however, below are some alternative titles that we think fit the ‘best opening’ category.
Appointment with Death sets the scene for a gripping mystery from the very first line, overheard by Poirot in the night air of Jerusalem; ‘You do see, don’t you, that she’s got to be killed?’.
The Seven Dials Mystery is also a good choice, with the first chapter introducing each of the young house guests at Chimneys, including the slumbering Gerry Wade. The group plot to buy alarm clocks to prank the champion sleeper. This backfires with grave consequences. It's also a great time to read this story ahead of the release of the Netflix adaptation, Agatha Christie's Seven Dials on January 15.
You could also read A Murder is Announced, in which an unusual invitation in the personal column of the local Gazette in Chipping Cleghorn appears to announce a murder due to take place that evening.
The Pale Horse is another option, with a foreword from our narrator Mark Easterbrook, as he attempts to tell the story of ‘strange business of the Pale Horse’ from the beginning.
How to get involved
Once you've printed your challenge postcard, simply fill in the story you've chosen for this month’s category and get reading! If you post about your choice on social media, make sure to tag us in the photo so we can see it. Use #ReadChristie2026 on Instagram for your chance to be featured in our monthly reading roundups. Alternatively, you can let us know via our X, Facebook or Instagram which book you've chosen, in the comment sections of our posts.
Our 2026 reading choices
