Top 10 Best Detective Novels by Agatha Christie

One of Agatha Christie's most renowned detective novels, 'Murder on the Orient Express' has captivated millions of readers worldwide since its release in 1934.

The story follows Hercule Poirot, a brilliant detective, solving a case aboard the famous Orient Express train as it travels through snowy Europe. What starts as a relaxing journey soon turns into a complex murder investigation after a wealthy American, Samuel Edward Ratchett, is found murdered in his compartment, stabbed twelve times with different knives. As Poirot investigates, he uncovers a web of connections between the passengers and a past tragedy involving the Armstrong family, with each passenger having a unique, hidden connection to the case. In a surprising twist, it is revealed that all the passengers, except for one, were involved in executing the justice of the Armstrong family. Poirot, after completing his investigation, leaves the fate of the murderers to his assistants, who eventually decide to report the incident as a mysterious escape when the train is halted due to a snowdrift. The case ends with a sense of justice served, but the moral ambiguity of the situation lingers.

'Murder on the Orient Express' has been adapted into film twice, with both versions achieving significant success, reflecting the immense impact of this story. The book is available in Vietnamese, published by NXB Trẻ.

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The ABC Murders is one of Agatha Christie's most iconic detective novels, and it has left a significant mark on the crime fiction genre worldwide.

The book is uniquely narrated from both the first and third-person perspectives, creating an engaging flow and offering various points of view that keep readers on the edge of their seats, constantly surprised by new revelations.

Returning from South America, Arthur Hastings reunites with his old friend, detective Hercule Poirot, in his London apartment. Poirot receives a mysterious letter from an anonymous 'ABC', signaling the beginning of a chilling killing spree. The murderer targets victims in alphabetical order, creating a terrifying and puzzling situation across England. After each murder, the killer leaves a clue to taunt Poirot, showing off his confidence and challenging the detective.

The victims are all connected, such as Carmichael Clarke, the brother of Franklin Clarke, his mistress Betty Barnard, and Alice Ascher. But who is the murderer? Is it someone close to the victims or a stranger? The killer is revealed to be Alexander Bonaparte Cust, a strange traveling salesman with epilepsy. After being hit on the head during the war, he lost his mental clarity and became prone to violent outbursts. He had no memory of committing the murders until he saw the bloody knife in his hand. Could his condition be the cause of this murderous spree?

Surprisingly, Poirot uncovers the truth—Cust was not the killer. It turns out that Franklin Clarke, driven by greed and fear of losing his wealth, manipulated Cust into committing the murders, setting him up to take the fall. With Poirot's sharp logic, he quickly solves the case, revealing Clarke as the true murderer. The story ends with a lighthearted moment between Poirot and Cust as they reflect on the bizarre case.

The book was first published in 1936 and was later translated into Vietnamese by NXB Trẻ in 2015. It has also inspired various works, including manga chapters from 'Detective Conan' (chapters 393-397) and other detective series.

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Regarded as one of Agatha Christie's finest and most popular crime novels, And Then There Were None has sold over 100 million copies, making it the best-selling mystery novel in the history of publishing.

The story unfolds on Soldier Island, where ten guests, each with a secret, find themselves mysteriously murdered one by one. In 1930, eight guests of various ages are invited to spend time at a secluded mansion on Soldier Island. The owners are mysteriously absent, and the only people present are the butler and his wife, Thomas and Ethel Rogers, along with an eerie nursery rhyme titled 'Ten Little Soldiers,' which describes the gradual demise of ten soldiers, one by one, until no one is left. During dinner, a gramophone records accusations, suggesting that each person is involved in a murder, either directly or indirectly. In an inexplicable twist, the ten people—eight guests and the two servants—begin to die in the exact sequence described in the nursery rhyme, leaving no apparent trace of the murderer.

With no clear cause or culprit, the deaths continue, leading to one chilling question: who is behind it all? The answer comes when Fred Naracott, the boatman, discovers the bodies and alerts the police. It turns out that the mastermind behind the murders is none other than the judge, Lawrence Wargrave, who had set up an elaborate trap. After executing his plan and killing the others, Wargrave took his own life, leaving behind a symbolic 'mark of Cain,' referencing the first murderer from the Old Testament, to symbolize the 'justice' he believed he was delivering.

Unlike other detective stories, there are no detectives solving the case, no happy ending. And Then There Were None captivated millions of readers worldwide. In 2017, the Vietnamese rights to the novel were acquired by NXB Trẻ and published in Vietnam.

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Highly praised by top publications such as Times Literary Supplement, The New York Times Book Review, and The Observer, Hercule Poirot's Christmas is considered one of Agatha Christie’s finest novels. Its thrilling plot has captivated readers since its release in the 1940s and continues to intrigue audiences today.

The story unfolds around a locked-room murder, yet Christie expertly keeps the tension high and the readers engaged, leading to a surprising resolution unveiled by the brilliant detective Hercule Poirot.

Set on Christmas Eve at the luxurious Gorston Hall, the book follows diamond magnate Simeon Lee, who invites his estranged children and their families for a festive reunion. The story introduces his three sons: the greedy politician George, the artist David, who has long been estranged from his father, and Alfred. Additionally, there are three intriguing guests: Pilar Estravados, the daughter of Jennifer and Simeon; Harry Lee, the long-lost son; and Stephen Farr, a South African business associate.

After Christmas lunch, Simeon announces a new will, verbally attacking his family in front of local officer Sugden. But the atmosphere quickly shifts when a blood-curdling scream echoes from the billionaire’s locked room, and everyone rushes to find him dead, lying in a pool of blood. Sugden contacts his superior, Johnson, who is coincidentally talking to Poirot, and a team is swiftly assembled. The investigation points to one of the Lee family members or one of Simeon’s trusted servants. It’s soon discovered that Pilar is not his true daughter, and Farr is an imposter. Pilar assumed the real Pilar’s identity after a bombing, and Farr, obsessed with her, posed as a business partner’s son to be near her.

Who, then, is the murderer? Suspicion falls on the imposters and Simeon’s sons. Poirot’s investigation reveals that Sugden, the police officer, is the killer. Sugden, the illegitimate son of Simeon, murdered his father for revenge, manipulating the investigation to cover his tracks. But Poirot, with his keen intellect, uncovers the truth, revealing the murderer no one expected.

Hercule Poirot's Christmas was published in Vietnam in 2017 by NXB Trẻ, with readers praising the book for its "elegant and unexpected" twists.

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Regarded by Agatha Christie as her most cherished novel, The Mysterious House delivers unexpected twists and breathless suspense.

This novel stands out as one of the few written by Christie that doesn't feature her iconic detectives, Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple, setting it apart from her other works.

The story centers around a murder within a multi-generational family living in a strange, oddly-shaped house designed by the elderly patriarch, Leonides. A successful businessman, Leonides keeps his family close—his two sons, Roger and Philip, and three grandchildren, all of whom reside under his roof. He has remarried twice, with his first wife having died in the war, after which her sister moved in to care for the children.

At 80, Leonides marries a much younger woman, much to the dismay of his grandchildren, who are further disturbed by rumors of an affair between her and a young tutor hired to teach at the house. Shortly after, Leonides dies from an alleged drug overdose, and the family becomes embroiled in a complex investigation. The house’s inhabitants are all potential suspects, and Leonides’s will mysteriously disappears. Enter Charles Hayward, Sophia’s boyfriend, and the narrator of the tale, who steps in to solve the murder, despite having no experience in detective work. His main motivation is to earn approval for marrying Sophia.

Who could be the murderer? And why was Leonides killed? With suspicion cast on everyone, including Sophia, the case seems impossible to unravel. But in the end, the truth comes out in the most unexpected way. The murderer is one of Leonides’s three grandchildren—a seemingly innocent young girl who, driven by petty grievances, poisons her grandfather, believing she’s only playfully acting out. In the final twist, Leonides’s sister-in-law, who had been caring for the children, ends her life alongside the girl, as a form of redemption for the chaos the child has caused.

This novel shocked readers around the world, and it’s easy to see why Christie considered it her most personally rewarding. The Mysterious House was licensed by NXB Trẻ and published in Vietnam in 2016.

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A book that stands in stark contrast to Agatha Christie's usual works, The End of the Road to Death takes readers on a journey through time, back to ancient Egypt, where a series of murders await.

The story follows Renisenb, a young woman who returns to her father's home after the untimely death of her husband. She seeks solace in the tranquil family home, located beside a flowing river, hoping to heal from her grief. However, her return marks the beginning of a tragic series of events.

Renisenb expects that, after eight years, the members of her family will remain unchanged—her father, Imhotep, a strict and controlling figure; her older brother Yahmose, weak and indecisive, with his domineering wife Satipy; her rebellious brother Sobek, who often clashes with their father, and his quiet, reserved wife Kait; her younger brother Ipy, reckless and impulsive; her wise grandmother Esa; the gossiping maid Henet; and Hori, her childhood friend and her father's trusted scribe.

But everything changes when Imhotep brings home his new, much younger wife, Nofret, who expresses nothing but contempt for the family. Her arrival causes the once-combative family members to unite with a common goal—to fight back against her cruel behavior. The situation takes a darker turn when Nofret is found dead, her body gruesomely mutilated at the edge of a cliff. Yet, her death is only the first in a series of horrifying murders that will strike one by one, with each family member’s life hanging in the balance.

Who is the killer? Who is pretending to be Nofret’s ghost, eliminating each family member? The answers lie hidden in the suffocating fog of suspicion within the household. Could it be the father, the well-respected but stubborn Imhotep? The seemingly carefree Yahmose, always eager to please his sister? The coarse Sobek, or the impulsive Ipy? In a shocking twist, it is revealed that Yahmose, the one who appeared most devoted to his sister, is the serial killer, hiding his rage and hatred beneath a facade of kindness.

Renisenb is left to mourn the realization that, in just eight years, her family has changed completely. The peaceful, simple life she longed for—free from the worries of aging and death, surrounded by the loved ones she thought she knew—has become a terrifying nightmare of evil and cruelty, revealing just how easily human nature can darken.

The End of the Road to Death is one of Agatha Christie's most beloved works, and was licensed for publication by NXB Trẻ in Vietnam in 2015.

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The Strange Clocks is the latest novel by renowned author Agatha Christie, marking the return of the brilliant Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot.

This book not only sees the return of Poirot, but also showcases his exceptional detective skills as he solves the case without ever leaving his chair. Without any police officers, witnesses, or suspects to interact with, Poirot relies solely on detailed notes and his sharp mind.

The story begins when Sheila Webb, a typist at the Cavendish Secretarial Agency owned by Mrs. Katherine Martindale, is summoned to meet a blind woman named Millicent Pebmarsh at 19 Wilbraham Crescent. What should have been a routine visit turns into a nightmare when Sheila discovers the body of a well-dressed man lying lifeless on the floor, surrounded by six stopped clocks, all showing 4:13, while a pendulum clock chimes 3:00.

Strangely, after the murder, the woman Sheila was supposed to meet denies inviting her and also denies ownership of the bizarre clocks. The murdered man's identity remains a mystery. At this point, Colin "Lamp," a British intelligence agent secretly in love with Sheila, seeks Poirot's help. Poirot, however, must solve the case while confined to his chair, with only the necessary notes at his disposal. As they grapple with the mystery, another murder occurs—this time, Edna Brent, one of the agency's secretaries, is found strangled in a telephone booth. A third victim, Merlina Rival, is stabbed at Victoria Station, claiming that the first victim was her ex-husband.

Through these murders, Poirot arrives at a profound conclusion: "The more complicated the case, the simpler the answer." With the help of Geraldine Brown, a 10-year-old girl living near Wilbraham Crescent, and several other strange details, Poirot uncovers the truth and reveals it to Colin.

It turns out that the string of murders is linked to a complex family secret from 16 years ago, involving Millicent Pebmarsh, Sheila Webb’s biological mother. Millicent acted as the intermediary between Valerie Bland and Katherine Martindale, two sisters. Valerie was the second wife of Josiah Bland, the first murder victim, whose wealth and inheritance were all tied up with his first wife’s death during the war. Katherine Martindale was the first wife, and together with her sister, they plotted to murder Josiah Bland to claim the inheritance, with Millicent's help.

After learning the full story, Colin visits Mrs. Pebmarsh. In a moment of respect, knowing she could potentially become his future mother-in-law, he gives her two hours to explain herself. However, Pebmarsh attempts to stab Colin, but thanks to his quick reflexes, he escapes. Both sit and wait for the authorities to arrive. The book ends with two letters sent to Poirot, confirming the case was solved with a confession from both the Blands, adding another triumph to Poirot’s illustrious career.

In 2015, NXB Trẻ published the Vietnamese version of this book, receiving widespread praise from readers.

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Considered one of Agatha Christie's finest detective novels, Moment of Destiny will surely satisfy any reader.

With its compelling and thrilling storyline, this book will captivate any fan of detective fiction, even though it doesn’t feature the legendary Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. Instead, the story centers around his friend, Inspector Battle, who is calm, methodical, and just as skilled as Poirot.

The story begins with Lady Tressilian, the owner of an estate, reluctantly allowing her son Nevile Strange to host a dinner party after the death of her husband. Among the guests are Nevile and his new wife, Kay, his former wife Andrey—an orphaned girl from childhood—and Thomas Royde, a longtime family friend recently returned from working abroad, who has feelings for Andrey.

Also attending are Lady Tressilian’s maid Mary Aldin, who loves Thomas; Ted Latimer, Kay’s friend since she was 15; Angus MacWhirter, a man who attempted suicide near the estate and now plays a crucial role in solving the crime; and Mr. Treves, a lawyer and old friend of Lady Tressilian, who is about 80 years old.

The evening proves uncomfortable, just as Lady Tressilian predicted, when the conversation turns to Adrian Royde, Thomas’s brother, who was to marry Audrey Strange but died recently in an accident. The atmosphere worsens further when Mr. Treves recounts a strange and eerie story. The next morning, Treves is found dead from a heart attack, allegedly caused by the physical strain of climbing the stairs after the party. Although his death seems natural, there may be a deeper, more sinister conspiracy at play. The very next day, Lady Tressilian is found brutally murdered in her bed, while her maid, drugged and unaware, remains oblivious.

The initial suspect is Nevile, as he stands to inherit Lady Tressilian’s fortune. However, Nevile is exonerated when the maid wakes up and confirms that Nevile had left to find Ted while Lady Tressilian was still alive. Andrey becomes the next suspect, and the community loses trust in her. Desperate, Andrey attempts suicide but is saved by MacWhirter, who believes she is innocent, as her situation mirrors that of his daughter, who once falsely confessed to theft under pressure. Together, MacWhirter, who once contemplated suicide himself, and Inspector Battle team up to uncover the truth.

So, who is the real murderer? It turns out to be Nevile, the first suspect, who had been cleared earlier. Using his cunning, he managed to mislead the investigation, but he eventually failed under the scrutiny of Battle and MacWhirter. Despite insufficient evidence to accuse him of the deaths of Treves and Adrian, Inspector Battle uses Nevile’s own tactics to implicate him in Lady Tressilian’s murder. Ultimately, Nevile faces justice. As for Andrey, she finds true love in MacWhirter, the man who saved her, and she rejects Thomas, realizing that Mary Aldin is the one he truly loves.

The story ends with a satisfying conclusion for all the virtuous characters, the villain getting his just punishment, and plenty of thrilling moments that make Moment of Destiny a must-read for any fan of Agatha Christie and detective fiction.

The Vietnamese edition of the book, published by NXB Trẻ in 2015, is available in bookstores nationwide.

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As one of Agatha Christie's most adapted works for film and stage, Murder on the Nile truly lives up to its reputation as one of her greatest masterpieces.

This thrilling murder mystery, solved once again by the brilliant Hercule Poirot, unfolds a series of shocking and bloody murders.

The story centers on Linnet Ridgeway, a wealthy American heiress, who moves to England with the dream of turning her estate into a prosperous and bustling place. In addition to her stunning beauty, Linnet is warm-hearted and generous, helping her maid Marie expose the true nature of her lover, and offering her friend Jacqueline de Bellefort a job for her fiancé Simon Doyle at the estate. This sets off a tragic chain of events as Simon and Linnet fall in love and marry quickly, much to Jacqueline's shock and heartbreak. To take revenge, Jacqueline relentlessly follows the newlyweds on their honeymoon, along with her maid Louise.

Upon their arrival in Egypt, the newlywed couple embarks on an unusual cruise along the Nile River, with Jacqueline in tow. They encounter many people connected to them, including Poirot, the Belgian detective who once overheard a private conversation between Simon and Jacqueline. Also aboard are Mrs. Allerton and her son Tim, acquaintances of Linnet, as well as Pennington, Linnet’s father’s lawyer, who manages her estate until she turns 21. Other strange passengers include three American tourists: Mrs. Schuyler and her companions Bowers and Cornelia Robson; the young English radical James Ferguson; Austrian doctor Carl Bessner; Italian archaeologist Richetti; and the quiet Englishman James Fanthorp. Poirot also recognizes Colonel Race, who is searching for an unnamed murderer, and makes the acquaintance of mystery writer Mrs. Otterbourne and her daughter.

From the moment the ship sets sail, Jacqueline plots her revenge on the Doyle couple, despite Poirot’s warnings. A heated argument erupts between Jacqueline and Simon, followed by a gunshot that injures Simon. Jacqueline is confined to her room and sedated until morning. Strangely, her gun disappears, and when the search for it begins, the maid Louise discovers Linnet’s lifeless body, shot in the head. The murder weapon is later recovered from the river. But the horror doesn't end there—Louise is murdered next, stabbed with a surgical knife, her hand still clutching a wad of cash. The case could be solved if Mrs. Otterbourne, who had witnessed the murderer, could reveal what she knows to Poirot. However, it’s too late—she is shot dead in a desperate attempt to silence her.

But no trick can escape Poirot’s keen eye. He soon reveals the true murderer. The obvious suspect, Jacqueline, turns out to be guilty, but there’s more to the plot. Simon Doyle, her partner in crime, is the true killer, having murdered his own wife. The murders were a carefully staged scheme to seize Linnet’s vast fortune, but things went wrong when some of the passengers caught on, leading to further killings to cover up the plot. Pennington, too, played a role, intentionally dislodging a stone to send the Doyle couple into the river in an attempt to erase his own involvement with Linnet. The archaeologist, Richetti, is the elusive murderer Colonel Race had been chasing. The bloody events aboard the ship come to an end when, after the ship docks, Jacqueline pulls a gun on Simon, killing him before taking her own life to escape the justice awaiting her onshore.

With Agatha Christie’s signature storytelling brilliance, Murder on the Nile promises an electrifying and suspenseful experience for readers. The Vietnamese edition was first published by NXB Trẻ in 2012.

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Regarded as one of the finest detective novels of the 20th century, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd has remained a global bestseller since its release in 1926. It is a masterpiece by Agatha Christie that has captivated readers around the world.

In this novel, the entire story is narrated by Dr. James Sheppard, who serves as the assistant to the brilliant Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. This narrative perspective gives the book a fresh, engaging twist, leading to a thrilling and unpredictable outcome.

The plot revolves around a mysterious murder that occurs during Poirot's quiet retreat in the small English village of King's Abbott. The two largest estates in the area belong to Roger Ackroyd, a widower, and Mrs. Ferrars, another widow with a shadowy past. It is widely believed that Mrs. Ferrars poisoned her husband and was involved in a secret relationship with Ackroyd, who later takes his own life. However, one evening, after a dinner at Ackroyd’s estate, Poirot receives the shocking news that Ackroyd has been murdered.

Thus begins an intricate investigation filled with secrets, deceptions, and red herrings. Who is the murderer? Is it Paton, who has secretly married Ursula Bourne? Or perhaps Charles Kent, a stranger the doctor met the night of the crime, who turns out to be the illegitimate son of the housekeeper, Mrs. Russell? Or Parker, the quiet and devoted butler, who had been blackmailing his former employer for years? Who among them is the killer? In the final pages, Poirot gathers all the suspects and reveals their wrongdoings, but he doesn’t disclose the identity of the murderer, leaving everyone to believe the culprit will eventually confess on their own.

As the story unfolds, Poirot unveils the unexpected truth. The murderer is none other than Dr. James Sheppard, the very narrator of the story. He shocks everyone, including the reader, with his cunning and chilling motives. Poirot gives Sheppard the choice of facing justice or ending his own life. Sheppard chooses the latter and dies by suicide before the law can intervene.

With its brilliant twists and turns, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a true classic in the detective genre, and has been translated into numerous languages worldwide, including Vietnamese by NXB Trẻ.

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