For years, I was firmly in the “book-in-hand” camp. There’s just something about holding a hardcover or paperback that feels authentic and comforting. I never thought audiobooks or eBooks could compare.
But as my bookshelves filled up—and I ran out of room—I slowly began adding digital books to my collection. The last hurdle? Audiobooks. That changed in the summer of 2021 thanks to a certain little Belgian detective.
Agatha Christie Started Me on Audiobooks
I had never read a single Agatha Christie book until 2021. That summer, I decided to give her short mysteries a try on audiobook. Titles like Double Sin and Other Stories, Murder Is Easy, Thirteen at Dinner, and At Bertram’s Hotel gave me just enough suspense in short listening sessions (most under six hours). But it was Hercule Poirot who completely won me over.
This summer, I had made a personal goal: to listen to every Hercule Poirot book—roughly 40 titles, including short story collections. Because I loved the TV series that starred David Suchet as Poirot, it only deepened my obsession with the brilliant and quirky detective.
The Best Way to Read All the Poirot Books
Start with a list. I found a printable Poirot checklist from AgathaChristie.com, where they offer free downloadable PDFs of:
Should You Read Poirot in Order?
Technically, no—but I recommend it, especially the first five books, where Christie carefully develops Poirot’s quirks and habits, often described through his friend Captain Hastings.
Save Curtain (Poirot’s final case) for last.
I haven’t read it yet. I did watch the episode, which was powerful. But I know that once I read that final book, it may feel like truly closing the curtain on this character I’ve come to love, so I’m saving it for now.
Not All Poirot Books Are About Poirot.
You might be surprised to find that Poirot doesn’t always take center stage. In some books, he appears late or plays a very minor role.
For example, in The Clocks (1963), the story mainly follows Colin Lamb, an intelligence agent investigating a bizarre murder. Poirot isn’t brought in until halfway through—and even then, he only plays a supporting role.
Christie once admitted she grew tired of Poirot, even though fans adored him. In some later books, it seems she added him in just to satisfy readers. Still, any book where he appears—however briefly—is considered part of the official Poirot series.
How Other Authors Continued Poirot’s Story
I also came across authors who were officially approved by the Agatha Christie Estate to write new Poirot stories.
Charles Osborne
Black Coffee was originally a stage play by Christie (written in 1930) and adapted into a novel by Osborne. He also adapted two more Christie plays (Spider’s Web and The Unexpected Guest)—both are standalone stories but worth reading. I listened to Black Coffee and was shocked to learn it wasn’t written by Christie herself. Osborne captured her voice and pacing remarkably well.
Sophie Hannah
More recently, author Sophie Hannah has written a series of Poirot continuation novels (with Estate approval). As of 2022, there are four in her collection with more promised. She worked hard to stay true to Poirot’s character and fans’ expectations. I haven’t read her books yet, but I plan to once I finish Christie’s original works.
The TV Series: David Suchet’s Poirot
If you’re not already familiar with the Poirot TV series, you’re in for a treat. David Suchet played Poirot in every adaptation of Christie’s Poirot stories—except one short story deemed too tricky to film.
The series is available on BritBox, and some episodes can also be found on YouTube. Early seasons feature short stories, while later ones tackle the longer novels. While there are a few changes from book to screen, the adaptations are well done and maintain the heart of the stories.
Suchet narrated a handful of the Poirot novels and short stories, but a majority are read by Hugh Fraser, who played Hastings in the TV series.
Suchet’s Memoir: Poirot and Me
Suchet wrote a memoir titled Poirot and Me (2013), reflecting on his 25-year journey portraying the detective. With the blessing of Christie’s daughter, he brought a deep reverence to the role. His personal stories and behind-the-scenes insights make this a great companion read for fans of the series.
My Reading Results
By the end of summer 2022, I had read or listened to:
- 14 Poirot titles
- 5 others, including:
- Murder at the Vicarage, The Body in the Library,
The Moving Finger (Miss Marple #1–3) - The Seven Dials Mystery (Superintendent Battle #2)
- The Sittaford Mystery (a standalone and one of my new favorites!)
- Murder at the Vicarage, The Body in the Library,
That brings my total Poirot count to 22 titles—with more to go. And I’m still enjoying the ride.
What started as a reluctant dive into audiobooks has turned into one of the most satisfying reading journeys of my life. Agatha Christie’s mysteries—especially those featuring Hercule Poirot—are smart, layered, and always entertaining. Whether you’re reading in print, digital, or audiobook form, these stories hold up beautifully.
So, if you’re looking for a series to get lost in—or need a great audiobook to keep you company—consider joining me on the Poirot path. You might just fall in love with that brilliant little Belgian detective, too.
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