Read Christie 2023
Updated: Aug 30
Methods & Motives
'The truth, however ugly in itself, is always curious and beautiful to seekers after it.' - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
I'm so excited about this theme! I feel like this year, we'll be able to get into the heart of Christie's genius - understanding the psychology of her characters, and how they commit their crimes. The solution is always in sight; the clues are all there. I'm always beating myself up for missing the seemingly obvious hints.
I hope this year's reading challenge will allow me to enjoy and appreciate Christie's books all over again. I have attached the Agatha Christie Ltd website and socials below:
Below are the company's official picks for each month, but more reading guidance will be available from the 4th of January onwards
Month | Theme | Official Pick |
January | Jealousy | Sad Cypress |
February | Blunt Object | Partners in Crime |
March | Anger | The Moving Finger |
April | Poison | Sparkling Cyanide |
May | Betrayal | Reveal in 2023 |
June | Gunshot | They Do It with Mirrors |
July | Love & Lust | Evil Under the Sun |
August | Fall from a Height | Death Comes As The End |
September | Hatred | Appointment with Death |
October | Stabbing | Reveal in 2023 |
November | Greed | Endless Night |
December | Strangulation | Sleeping Murder |
Hercule Poirot is my favourite Christie character - I have a collection of his mysteries as an affiliate on Bookshop
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January
Sad Cypress
Alternative Picks: Five Little Pigs, Towards Zero, Cards on the Table, Death on the Nile, Murder in Mesopotamia, The Murder on the Links, The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side
Motive - Jealousy
This is only the second time I've read Sad Cypress and that must have been a couple of years ago now. The fun part of rereading Christie's books is that it gives you the opportunity to look for all the clues you missed the first time. I've always found that the genius of Christie is that she does indeed give you all the tools you need to solve the mystery, and yet- she still manages to take you by surprise with a twist! Sad Cypress is more of a slow-paced mystery in comparison to her other works like A Pocket Full of Rye. However, I think that was necessary for this plot because it allowed the reader to familiarise themselves with the characters like Elinor Carlisle, and then work on their own deductions.
This was definitely a puzzle that ached my head initially because all the evidence clearly points in one direction.
'Anyone who has never really loved has never really lived...'
What I loved about the jealousy theme is that it shows readers how important it is not to take the facts at face value. Jealousy can manifest itself in various forms; its presence may appear obvious to very subtle. I think Sad Cypress is such a lovely, cosy mystery. There will be a moment in Part III where the penny will drop for most readers, and they'll be kicking themselves as to how they could have missed the obvious signs.
Synopsis
Elinor Carlisle has been convicted for the murder of Mary Gerrard. The damning evidence all points to her; she had a method and motive. However, not everyone is convinced of her guilt. Dr Lord appeals to the famous Hercule Poirot to uncover who was responsible for Mary's death. Or was it Elinor all along...?
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February
Ordeal by Innocence
Alternative Picks: Partners in Crime (Official Picks), Hickory Dickory Dock, Murder in Mesopotamia, Mrs McGinty's Dead, The Sittaford Mystery, The Pale Horse
Method - Blunt Object
I decided to break away from the official pick this month and go for Ordeal by Innocence. This is one of my favourite Christie covers, and I was excited to take the opportunity to reread this mystery. I find rereading Christie's books to be just as enjoyable because it gives you the chance to spot all the clues and hints you missed the first time. When reading Christie, I like to just immerse myself in the story and then see what I missed when rereading.
This is more fast-paced in comparison to January's pick, Sad Cypress. I did find this one to be considerably more eerie and atmospheric because of the silent accusations embedded throughout the book. One person being found innocent isn't necessarily a relief because of implications for the rest of the characters. I'm sure there was a recent TV adaptation of this book (but always read the book first!)
'Justice is, after all, in the hands of men and men are fallible.'
I thought this was such a cosy and clever mystery. All the characters are suspects and with no apparent motive, you'll be hooked until the very end.
Synopsis
Jack Argyle is convicted for the murder of his mother. He is convicted and subsequently dies in prison. His family have come to accept the verdict, and try their best to move on. But when Mr Arthur Calgary comes forward to provide an alibi for Jack, the innocence of the whole family is thrown into question...
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March
The Moving Finger
Alternative Picks: Take at the Flood, Murder is Easy, Curtain: Poirot's Last Case
Motive - Anger
This intriguing little mystery is perfect for those in a reading slump. In just over two hundred pages, Christie explores how bitterness, resentment and anger can lead to murder. It's a subtle way of looking into the psychology of the murderer; understanding a raw and common reason why characters commit their crimes. It explains why Miss Marple is the sleuth in question for this book because her unthreatening appearance allows those around her to let their guard down. She comes across as just an ordinary, mundane woman; this is her power. By seeming irrelevant, Marple observes and reflects on the individuals around her. Nothing escapes her sharp eye.
Although I enjoyed this book overall, Miss Marple doesn't make an appearance until the last 1/3 of the story. I usually prefer her presence from the onset, but the mystery itself was still very clever. Although I had read this one before, it was a long time ago so it felt nice to enjoy this mystery once again.
'The great thing in these cases is to keep an absolutely open mind. Most crimes, you see, are so absurdly simple.'
Synopsis
To recover from an injury, Jerry Burton and his sister retire to the village of Lymstock. Life seems ordinary until everyone starts receiving anonymous letters. The letters seem to be full of baseless, random lies. But when one recipient takes their own life, Jerry is determined to unmask the sinister writer.
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April
Sparkling Cyanide
Alternative Picks: A Pocket Full of Rye, Crooked House, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Death in the Clouds
Method - Poison
This is the second time I've read this mystery, but the first was so long ago so it felt like a brand new story. I've always adored this particular edition, so I was excited to finally delve back into this one. The method of poison is a favourite of Christie's. If you're interested to know more about this, I highly recommend A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie by Kathryn Harkup. It breaks down all the different toxins and poisons Christie uses in her stories and more interestingly, why she knew so much about them.
I loved how this book breaks down all of the characters in different chapters. It gives you as the reader, the opportunity to familiarise yourself with everyone and start making your own observations and deductions. This book is another lovely example of how Christie gives her readers all the tools they need to solve the mystery. I had a few theories, but as always, Christie outsmarted me again.
This is a great book to pick up if you find yourself in a reading slump. This particular edition I have was only around 160 pages. It's concise, clever and incredibly well-written.
'How little you might know a person after living in the same house with them!'
Synopsis
It's been a year since Rosemary Barton died. The coroner ruled her death as a suicide. The witnesses to her sudden death, however, start to think otherwise...
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May
Towards Zero
Alternative Stories: Unfinished Portrait (A Mary Westmacott story), Evil Under the Sun, They Do It With Mirrors, Death on the Nile
Motive - Betrayal
I think this is one of the few Christie books I have left that I've not read. This edition is from 1971! Naturally, I was very excited to have the opportunity to read this one. Towards Zero is a very short mystery so it's worth adding to your TBR if you're in a reading slump. In this mystery, we follow Superintendent Battle. I got a bit excited whenever there was a reference to my favourite detective, Hercule Poirot.
It was so easy to fall into this story - just full of thoughtful characters and a mind-puzzling murder. I stayed up really late just to finish this one. It's my favourite read in the #readchristie2023 challenge. The final thirty pages just had me hooked. It made me further appreciate the genius of Agatha Christie.
This one is more of a plot-driven novel, but the tension between the characters was just so fun to follow. I felt like I was watching some reality TV show sprinkled with some murder! A five-star read for sure!
'I suppose, like most young people nowadays, boredom is what you dread most in the world, and yet, I can assure you, there are worse things.'
Synopsis
When an elderly widow is murdered at her seaside estate, Superintendent Battle is called to the case. It's not long until he realises that the facts don't add up...
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June
Cards on the Table
Alternative Stories: They Do It With Mirrors, One, Two, Buckle my Shoe, At Bertram's Hotel, The Secret of Chimneys, The Hollow, N or M?
Method - Gunshot
I decided to go for a different pick this June because I was just really in the mood for a good old Poirot mystery. Don't get me wrong, I love Miss Marple. I think I have a soft spot for the Belgian detective because Murder on the Orient Express was the first Christie book I ever read. The one and only tattoo I have is in tribute to this sleuth.
What I loved about this one is that it allowed brought together three fabulous sleuths - Colonel Race, Superintendent Battle, and of course, Hercule Poirot. If only Miss Marple could have made a sneaky appearance...
Christie really illustrated the different approaches her sleuths have to solving mysteries. The psychological method of Poirot with the little grey cells was a frequent theme throughout the story. I think this is a book I'd like to re-read and highlight all of the clues I missed the first time. It was a clever, thoughtfully written mystery with twists right until the very end.
'I have always disapproved of murder.'
Synopsis
Hercule Poirot attends a dinner party hosted by the eccentric Mr Shaitana. He claims to have a special treat for the famous detective...a room full of guests and one of them a murderer!
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July
Evil Under the Sun
Alternative Stories: The Mysterious Mr Quinn, They Came to Baghdad, Midsummer Mysteries, The Hollow, A Caribbean Mystery, The Body in the Library
Motive - Love & Lust
As the theme for this month centres on motive, it only makes sense that the official pick is a Hercule Poirot mystery. This is only the second time I've read this mystery, but as that was a while ago, the story felt new. It's a fun mystery to read whilst on the beach (although I couldn't do that this time as we've all had loads of stormy weather this July!)
I found this to be a really intriguing mystery to follow; Poirot's stress on understanding motive, and what can drive people to kill, was keenly highlighted in this book. Although the victim was predictable, the solution to the crime is very ingenious. Every time I've read a Christie book, I always think I'll be able to figure it out. However, each mystery seems to have its own clever solution. There are so many brilliant books to read for July's theme - love and lust is probably one of the biggest motives of fictional murder. If Poirot is also your favourite Christie sleuth, I would highly recommend The Hollow for July's theme.
'The wish to kill and the action of killing are two different things.'
Synopsis:
Hercule Poirot decides to head off to the English coast for a holiday. He meets a funny array of guests at the hotel resort. One woman, Arlena Stuart, seems to attract a lot of attention. When her body is discovered, strangled, Poirot is forced to cut his holiday short...
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August
Endless Night
Alternative Stories: Death Comes as the End (official pick), Elephants Can Remember, Parker Pyne Investigates, Third Girl, Why Didn't They Ask Evans?
Method - Fall from a height
I wanted to break away from the official pick for August to take the opportunity to read Endless Night - an unread standalone mystery. I found this edition at a second-hand bookstore in London, and I believe this is a first edition (do correct me if I'm wrong). Reading a new Christie book for the first time is always such a special experience, and I'm so glad this one lived up to my expectations. It really reminded me of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - those who have read this mystery will know exactly what I'm talking about!
Admittedly, I did find the first 1/3 of the book to be a bit slow. It's unusual for Christie to write a slow-burner thriller, but I can assure you that her intentions were deliberate and worth the wait. I'm used to her other mysteries, such as A Pocket Full of Rye, where there's a murder by page 5!
This is a slow-burner that will definitely unsettle you. Reading the last fifty pages genuinely had me shocked; I need to reread this one to see if I can spot all of the signals Christie usually hides within. This was such a lovely reading experience; Christie fans need to take the time to talk about this book more.
'It's second nature to make the best of yourself.'
Synopsis:
Mike Rogers is certain he's met the love of his life and is determined to start a life together in the country. When they are pestered by bad omens and warnings from locals, the happy couple are determined to stay in their dream home...until disaster strikes.