Books Like...
'Poirot Investigates' is a collection of short stories featuring the brilliant detective Hercule Poirot and his sidekick Hastings. The stories cover a wide range of mysteries, from dubious insurance claims to missing prime ministers, all solved by Poirot's keen intellect and deductive reasoning. The book showcases Agatha Christie's signature writing style, with clever plot twists and engaging character interactions that keep readers entertained throughout each story.
The narratives are told from the perspective of Captain Hastings, providing insight into Poirot's investigative methods and unique personality traits. The stories are fast-paced, with some readers finding them challenging to follow due to the quick pace and intricate plotlines. Despite some stories being more enjoyable than others, the collection overall captures Christie's charm and talent for crafting compelling mystery plots that have delighted readers for generations.
If you liked Poirot Investigates, here are the top 21 books to read next:
(We also have 100 recommendations for the series: Hercule Poirot)
- #1
'The Mousetrap: A Play' by Agatha Christie is a classic whodunit that has captivated audiences for years. The play is known for its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and surprise twist ending. Written by the queen of murder mysteries herself, Agatha Christie, 'The Mousetrap' is a short but genius piece of work that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The book is a collection of short stories that are filled with mystery, danger, and suspense, just like all of Christie's novels.
The story revolves around a murder mystery that unfolds in a guesthouse, where each character is a suspect with a hidden motive. The plot is well-crafted, and the writing style is enjoyable, making it hard for readers to put the book down. 'The Mousetrap' is not just a play, it is a masterpiece by Agatha Christie that showcases her talent for creating intricate plots and memorable characters that leave a lasting impression on readers.
- #2
Agatha Christie's 'The Secret of Chimneys' is a standalone novel featuring neither Poirot nor Miss Marple. The story revolves around Anthony Cade, an adventurer in Africa, who gets entangled in a series of plots involving diamond theft, Balkan politics, mistaken identities, and international jewel thieves. Set in an English country house, the novel is a country house closed room murder mystery with a breathless conclusion where the killer is revealed. The plot is filled with twists, unreliable narrators, and hidden identities, making it a fun and entertaining read for fans of Christie's mysteries.
'The Secret of Chimneys' introduces readers to Superintendent Battle, a level-headed detective from Scotland Yard, who teams up with amateur detective Anthony Cade to solve the murder of King Michael of Herzoslovakia. The book showcases Christie's skillful use of an unreliable narrator, clever plot twists, and engaging storytelling that keeps readers guessing until the very end. With elements of international intrigue, romance, and political machinations, the novel offers a delightful mix of mystery and adventure, showcasing Christie's prowess as a master of the genre.
Castle’s Select Tour, represented by seven depressed-looking females and three perspiring males, looked on with considerable interest. Evidently their Mr. Cade had met an old friend. They all admired ... - #3
'The Thirteen Problems' by Agatha Christie is a collection of short stories featuring Miss Marple, where a group of friends gather to present and solve mysteries. Miss Marple astounds everyone with her keen observations and knowledge of human nature, consistently providing the correct solutions. The stories are interconnected, each chapter presenting a separate incident with solutions being surmised, showcasing the deceptive simplicity and clever writing style of Agatha Christie.
He looked round him with satisfaction. The room was an old one with broad black beams across the ceiling and it was furnished with good old furniture that belonged to it. Hence Raymond West’s approvin...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Miss Marple ) - #4
Partners in Crime by Agatha Christie is a collection of short mysteries featuring the married sleuths Tommy and Tuppence. The duo runs a detective agency as a cover for their involvement with British Intelligence to thwart foreign spies. Each case they tackle is a nod to famous literary detectives, adding a fun and engaging layer to the stories. The book offers a mix of humor, social commentary, and gender politics, making it a light and entertaining read for fans of mystery and suspense.
Mrs. Thomas Beresford shifted her position on the divan and looked gloomily out of the window of the flat. The prospect was not an extended one, consisting solely of a small block of flats on the othe...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Tommy and Tuppence ) 'Three Blind Mice and Other Stories' by Agatha Christie is a collection of short stories featuring well-known detectives like Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, and Harley Quinn. The title story, 'Three Blind Mice', is a novella that later became the long-running play 'The Mousetrap'. The stories revolve around classic Christie settings of country houses and villages, with mysteries to solve and clever plots to unravel. Readers are taken on suspenseful journeys where strangers are trapped together, murders occur, and detectives use their keen observations to crack the cases.
A man in a dark overcoat, with his muffler pulled up round his face, and his hat pulled down over his eyes, came along Culver Street and went up the steps of number 74. He put his finger on the bell a...- #6
'Passenger To Frankfurt' by Agatha Christie is a spy thriller novel that follows Sir Stafford Nye as he meets a mysterious woman who draws him into a world of international politics and espionage. The book involves elements of civil unrest, espionage, science, money, weapons, and government, with a plot that touches on topics like charismatic speakers, vulnerability of people to lies, and a worldwide conspiracy driven by the super rich. The writing style is described as disjointed, with a mix of thrilling spy elements in the beginning and a more confusing and odd tone in the latter half of the book.
'Fasten your seat-belts, please.' The diverse passengers in the plane were slow to obey. There was a general feeling that they couldn't possibly be arriving at Geneva yet. The drowsy groaned and yawne... - #7
Agatha Christie's 'Endless Night' is a psychological thriller that delves into the sinister and tragic tale of Michael Rogers, an Englishman who falls in love with an American heiress, Ellie, and together they build their dream home on a cursed land known as Gypsy's Acre. The narrative is written in a first-person perspective, showcasing Christie's ability to manipulate the reader's expectations in a romance turned mystery, with a chilling exploration of madness.
The book is a departure from Christie's typical murder mysteries, focusing more on psychological study and class dynamics, with a plot that starts out as a simple analysis of privilege but evolves into a gripping exploration of obsession, fear, and deception. The writing style is simple yet poetic, creating a sense of uneasiness that grows throughout the book, leading to a brilliant plot twist at the end that leaves readers shocked.
Did my story begin, perhaps, when I noticed the Sale Bill hanging on the wall of the George and Dragon, announcing Sale by Auction of that valuable property “The Towers,” and giving particulars of the... - #8
In 'Postern of Fate', the final installment in the Tommy and Tuppence series by Agatha Christie, the retired detectives find themselves embroiled in a mysterious case after discovering a cryptic message in an old children's book. As they delve into the sixty-year-old possibility of foul play, they uncover secrets that stir up the past and put them in danger. The book is characterized by its slower pace, chatty conversations between the aging protagonists, and a blend of character development with the unfolding mystery, making it a unique addition to Christie's repertoire.
The plot of 'Postern of Fate' revolves around Tommy and Tuppence's pursuit of solving a mystery that is both old and new, intertwining elements of espionage, national security, and subtle nods to Christie's own childhood memories. Despite criticisms of the book's meandering plot and lack of sleuthing, readers appreciate the vivid descriptions of the English village setting, the endearing banter between the beloved characters, and the nostalgic feel of the narrative as it explores themes of aging, companionship, and the enduring allure of mystery-solving.
“What I mean is,” said Tuppence, “that here we are, getting older, getting a bit—well, let’s face it—definitely rheumatic, especially when one is stretching; you know, stretching putting in books or l...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Tommy and Tuppence ) - #9
'Murder on the Nile' by Agatha Christie is a play based on the novel 'Death on the Nile'. The play version includes dialogues similar to the movie adaptation, focusing on a murder mystery plot set in Egypt. However, the play differs from the novel by eliminating Hercule Poirot and introducing new characters to enhance the storyline.
The play version of 'Murder on the Nile' is described as a short and good read, with characters deducing the murder mystery without the help of M. Poirot. The writing style is noted to be full of dialogues, retaining some of Poirot's best lines but also making significant changes to the original plot to create a more realistic resolution.
- #10
"A Caribbean Mystery" follows the iconic character Miss Marple as she takes a vacation in the Caribbean, where she finds herself entangled in a series of murders at the resort she is staying at. Despite the exotic setting, Miss Marple's keen observational skills and sharp wit come into play as she uncovers secrets and solves the mystery behind the deaths. The plot involves intriguing conversations, red herrings, and a classic whodunit style that Agatha Christie is known for, all set against the backdrop of a sunny clime.
It was a gentle gesture of courtesy. Whilst Major Palgrave proceeded with the somewhat uninteresting recollections of a lifetime, Miss Marple peacefully pursued her own thoughts. It was a routine with...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Miss Marple )