Skip to content
We independently pick everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›

Answers to "what should I read?" for every reader

Thrillers and Mystery

Best Mystery Novels Agatha Christie (2026): 4 Compared

Four mystery novels in the Agatha Christie orbit compared by pages, year and series, from the Orient Express to a 2025 medical thriller.

Best Mystery Novels Agatha Christie (2026): 4 Compared

At a glance

Top picks

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we score

A locked-room puzzle with a twist you never see coming: that is Agatha Christie. The best mystery novels agatha christie below range from the Orient Express to Christie-inspired tales, compared by fit, content, value and age guidance.

ShelfAnswers earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

Quick picks

The picks

Murder on the Orient Express

Murder on the Orient Express

Agatha Christie9.7/10 Shelf Score
i
The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Agatha Christie's 336-page Orient Express mystery, book 10 of 38, ages 17+, 2011.

Pros

  • Book 10 of 38, Poirot classic
  • 336 pages, the longest here
  • Reading age 17+ years

Cons

  • 336 pages, the longest here
  • 2011 reissue, not the newest
  • Locked-room, one setting
The ABC Murders

The ABC Murders

Agatha Christie9.7/10 Shelf Score
i
The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Agatha Christie's 272-page ABC Murders, book 13 of 38, 2024 authorized edition.

Pros

  • 2024 authorized edition
  • Serial-killer mystery
  • 272 pages stated

Cons

  • 272 pages, mid-length
  • 2024 edition, recent
  • Serial killer, darker theme
The Gifts of Poseidon

The Gifts of Poseidon

Anne Zouroudi9.6/10 Shelf Score
i
The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Anne Zouroudi's 2018 Greek detective mystery, book 1 of 7, Christie-inspired.

Pros

  • Christie-inspired classic detective
  • Book 1 of 7, series start
  • Greek island setting

Cons

  • No page count stated
  • 2018 publication, not the newest
  • Not by Christie herself
Body of Work

Body of Work

E. L. Wilk9.6/10 Shelf Score
i
The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

E. L. Wilk's 2025 medical thriller Body of Work, award finalist.

Pros

  • 2025, the newest here
  • Award finalist for fiction
  • Medical suspense theme

Cons

  • No page count stated
  • 2025 publication, recent
  • Medical thriller, not cozy

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

Compare the picks

Title Shelf Score Pages Year Publisher Series Amazon
Murder on the Orient Express 9.7/10 336 2011 William Morrow Paperbacks Book 10 of 38 Check price
The ABC Murders 9.7/10 272 2024 William Morrow Paperbacks Book 13 of 38 Check price
The Gifts of Poseidon 9.6/10 Not stated 2018 Kounelaki Book 1 of 7 Check price
Body of Work 9.6/10 Not stated 2025 H & E Wilk Press Not stated Check price

Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, content, value and age guidance. Age guidance here means the stated reading age. No listing states a warranty. How we pick explains the weights.

Book Shelf Score Fit /35 Contents /25 Value /25 Age/level /10
Murder on the Orient Express 9.7 34 22 21 5
The ABC Murders 9.7 34 22 21 0
The Gifts of Poseidon 9.6 33 21 21 0
Body of Work 9.6 33 21 21 0

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best mystery novels agatha christie

Poirot series order

The Orient Express is book 10 of 38; the ABC Murders is book 13. Either reads alone. For more mysteries, see our thriller mystery books.

Christie or Christie-inspired

The Gifts of Poseidon is Christie-inspired; the Orient Express and ABC Murders are Christie herself. Start with the originals. For more detectives, see our detective novels by women.

Reading age

The Orient Express is 17+; the rest state no age. Adults suit all four.

Before you buy

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the longest?

The Murder on the Orient Express has 336 pages, the most here.

Which is the newest?

The Body of Work is 2025.

Which are by Christie?

The Orient Express, ABC Murders and Hallowe’en Party are Christie.

Murder on the Orient Express
Still deciding? Our top pickMurder on the Orient Express
Check price on Amazon

See all fiction lists. Also see our detective novels by women.

Readers also asked

  1. What are the best Science Fiction Novels for Kids?

    Five sci-fi novels compared by sci-fi fit, publisher and reading age, from 107 pages to 202 pages, for young readers of space and time.

  2. What is the best Memoirs Worth Reading?

    Five memoirs compared by memoir fit, publisher and length, from 304 pages to 704 pages, for readers of life stories and history.

  3. What are the best Mystery Novels Nytimes?

    Five mystery novels compared by mystery fit, publisher and length, from 176 pages to 449 pages, for fans of the New York Times list.

  4. What is the best Mystery Novels New?

    Five new mystery novels compared by freshness, series fit, publisher and length, from May 2025 to October 2026, for the new year.