If you are like me and have a goal to read all the Hercule Poirot Books this list of Hercule Poirot Books in order is a must-have.
In 2021 I did a backlist books challenge. My challenge was to not read any books published in 2021. I could only read books published in 2020 or earlier.
My goal was to not get distracted by the new and shiny books. I also wanted to read some of the books that I owned and the books that I had meant to read for years.
My daughter had been trying to get me to read an Agatha Christie book for years, my backlist book challenge was a great reason to finally pick one up to read.
I am so glad that I finally read one. I can’t believe it took me so long to read an Agatha Christie book.
I read several Hercule Poirot books by Agatha Christie in 2021 and I loved them all.
I now have a goal to read all the Hercule Poirot books.
I know this will take me several years, possibly ten or more years because I plan to read other books too.
I also want to make them last. I don’t want to rush through the series because there won’t be any more Hercule Poirot books by Agatha Christie.
Normally we don’t put lists together of books that we haven’t read, but I needed an easy way to keep track of the right order of Hercule Poirot books.
I also wanted to keep track of the ones that I have read and have left to read.
As I was putting the list together I realized that others might find it helpful too. So, I am sharing my list of Hercule Poirot books in order with you.
I have read a couple of random Hercule Poirot books, but my plan now is to go back and try to read the rest in order.
There is some debate on whether or not Hercule Poirot’s short stories are included when the books are listed in order. Some have them on the list and some do not. I did some research on it, and could not find a definite answer.
I included them on my list, but I made it clear that they were short stories, not regular books in the series. I am not sure if I will include the short stories when I read them or not.
Do I need to read them in order?
No, the Poirot books do not need to be read in order. The first few that I read were not in order. I hope to read the rest of them in order, or at least mainly in order, but you do not have to.
Where to find Hercule Poirot Books
A few of the Hercule Poirot books can be hard to find, but most used and new bookstores carry the more popular Hercule Poirot books.
They are also backlist titles so most libraries will have them as well.
One of the ways I like to find them is on Scribd and Kindle Unlimited. If you have either of those it is a great way to read them. Scribd also has many of them as audiobooks which is a fun way to read if you enjoy audio books.
Hercule Poirot Books by Agatha Christie
1. The Mysterious Affair at Styles was published in 1920
Agatha Christie’s first novel introduced us to detective Hercule Poirot. I read this one in 2021 and loved it.
2. The Murder on the Links was published in 1923
Hercule Poirot heads to France after a plea from a client. However, he is too late. The man who summoned him is found dead and Poirot has to solve the case.
This was the third or fourth Agatha Christie book that I read in 2021. It is a well-written mystery book that I really enjoyed. It wasn’t my favorite of the Agatha Christie book I have read, but I think that is because I figured out the murderer early on in the book.
3. Poirot Investigates published was in 1924
A collection of short stories featuring Hercule Poirot.
4. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was published in 1926
Set in a small village, Hercule Poirot must solve the mystery of Roger Ackroyd’s death. I am currently reading and enjoying this one.
5. The Big Four was published in 1927
Poirot risks his life to discover the truth.
6. The Mystery of the Blue Train was published in 1928
Robbery and murder aboard a luxury train. Poirot must solve the case.
7. Black Coffee was published in 1961
This book is included on some Hercule Poirot book lists and not others. It was published in 1961 but was adapted from a play Agatha Christie wrote in the early 1930s.
8. Peril at End House was published in 1932
Poirot must solve the case before a murder takes place.
9. Lord Edgware Dies was published in 1933
When Lord Edgware dies Poirot must solve the case.
10. Murder On the Orient Express was published in 1934
Murder On the Orient Express was the book that made me fall in love with Agatha Christie and detective Poirot. I read it in 2021 and it was my first Agatha Christie read.
It is one of the most famous Agatha Christie books and I can see why. A train, a murder, twelve suspects, and of course detective Poirot solving the case. You can read my full review of Murder On the Orient Express here.
11. Three Act Tragedy was published in 1934
A guest chokes to death at a dinner party and Poirot is on the case.
12. Death In the Clouds was published in 1935
Poirot is on a flight from Paris to London when a murder takes place on the plane. Can Poirot solve the case and figure out who on the plane committed the crime?
13. The A.B.C Murders was published in 1936
The A.B.C. Murders is one of the most popular books from the Hercule Poirot series. In this book, a murderer is working their way through the alphabet. Poirot is on the case to stop them. Grace read and enjoyed The A.B.C Murder.
14. Murder in Mesopotamia was published in 1936
Murder on an archaeological dig in the Middle East. Poirot is on the case.
15. Cards On the Table was published in 1936
This is the third book from the Poirot series that was published in 1936. This book is all about a murder at a bridge game.
16. Dumb Witness was published in 1937
A spinster sends Poirot a letter. By the time he gets it, she is already dead.
17. Death On the Nile was published in 1937
Another well-known Agatha Christie book. Love, betrayal, and death on a luxury cruise on the Nile.
18. Murder in the Mews published in 1937
A collection of novellas published into one book.
19. Appointment With Death was published in 1938
Poirot can’t escape murder even on a vacation he is called to solve the case.
20. Hercule Poirot’s Christmas was published in 1938
The holidays are not merry when a Christmas Eve murder takes place.
21. Sad Cypress was published in 1940
Poirot believes a woman is innocent. Can he save her?
22. One, Two, Buckle My Shoes was published in 1940
A dentist is found dead just hours after Poirot sees him as a patient. Poirot is on the case.
23. Evil Under the Sun was published in 1941
Poirot investigates a murder on the beach. A well-known Agatha Christie book.
24. Five Little Pigs was published in 1942
With Poirot’s help, a daughter tries to prove her mom’s innocence.
25. The Hollow was published in 1946
Poirot finds himself solving a murder full of family secrets. This one is set in the English countryside.
26. The Labor of Hercules
A group of short stories about Poirot late in his career.
27. Taken at the Flood was published in 1948
Poirot is on the case of a missing person.
28. Mrs. McGinty’s Dead was published in 1952
Poirot investigates the murder of a landlady who died from a blow to the back of her head.
29. After the Funeral was published in 1953
Poirot investigates the deaths of a brother and sister.
30. Hickory Dickory Dock was published in 1955
Poirot helps his secretary solve a case of kleptomania.
31. Dead Man’s Folly was published in 1956
A charity game goes bad.
32. Cat Among the Pigeons was published in 1959
Two teachers find a body and Poirot comes to help solve the case.
33. The Clocks was published in 1963
Poirot investigates the death of a man whose body was surrounded by timepieces.
34. Third Girl was published in 1966
Poirot investigates the murder confession of a mysterious girl.
35. Hallowe’en Party was published in 1969
Poirot investigates the death of a girl who claimed that she witnessed a murder.
36. Elephants Can Remember was published in 1972
Poirot investigates an unsolved case involving the death of a husband and wife.
37. Poirot’s Early Cases written early in Agatha Christie’s career but published in 1974
38. Curtain was published in 1975
Hercule Poirot solves his last case.
If you have a favorite Poirot book or a favorite Agatha Christie book I would love to hear about it in the comments.
Guess what? I have never read an Agatha Christie book! I keep meaning to read one, but I haven’t. I see that The Mysterious Affair at Styles, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, and The Murder on the Links are all included in our Audible Plus membership. We have one more month until it expires. I think I’ll choose one and begin listening. Thanks for the recommendations!
I think any of those three would be good to start with. I am currently reading The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and am enjoying it.