Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

Submitted by starrynight179 t3_10kxrl5 in books

Reading my first Agatha Christie novel, Death on the Nile! It's really enjoyable, such a quick read for me. Wish I had read this before watching the recent movie, but Agatha Christie was a genius. Tiny details throughout the novel give hints about who the killer is. At the same time, the way she wrote characters makes us suspect different characters could be the killer(s). It's amazing how everything perfectly fits together like pieces of a puzzle. Brilliantly written! Looking forward to reading Agatha Christie's other novels! :)

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BuccoFever412 t1_j5td7ax wrote

'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' might be her best, in terms of Poirot stories. Def put that on your list

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GraniteGeekNH t1_j5tg51e wrote

She had a few klunkers, especially early (The Big Four) and late (Elephants can Remember) in her career, but most of them are cracking good yarns, as they say.

My two favorites: The Mirror Crack'd and Crooked House

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FigFromHell t1_j5tiz7l wrote

I also enjoyed this book a lot, but if you allow, how do you feel about the casually thrown around racism in her books? If I recall correctly there is even a moment in which Poirot compares the egyptians to dogs? I am not trying to ruffle some feathers, just an honest questions because this is something that bothers me about her books although I enjoy them otherwise.

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dumbdotcom t1_j5tjx96 wrote

I just read my first Agatha Christie last week! I read And Then There Were None. I really enjoyed it. It's so interesting to read a book and see where some mystery troupes literally originated.

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Kenobi_01 t1_j5tk09z wrote

Replying to GraniteGeekNH (#1,483,709)

When they finally adapted The Big Four, for the David Suchet version... Well, it's one of the most interesting adaptations of a book to screen I've seen. Very different, but imo, very good changes.

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Kenobi_01 t1_j5tk9ti wrote

Replying to BuccoFever412 (#1,483,340)

Can second that.

"And then there were none" is also the origin of the "Large group of people being whittled down one by one" trope, that - in my opinion - eventually led to the birth of the Slasher Movie. Which is interesting.

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OhSoManyQuestions t1_j5tk9xe wrote

Replying to FigFromHell (#1,484,056)

Same as with any other period book. Consider them snapshots of history and what was probably acceptable at the time. You can enjoy a work whilst also acknowledging that a modern-day lens may render some parts of it problematic. It's unfair, in my opinion, to judge past art through a modern lens. It's not as though Agatha Christie was out there on the streets spreading hate, you know?

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dumbdotcom t1_j5tkb3a wrote

Replying to FigFromHell (#1,484,056)

I've only read And Then There Were None, which was previously titled "Ten Little Indians" (glad for the name change), which also had some anti-Semitic things thrown around as well as some good ol fashioned sexism. I was definitely uncomfortable reading it, but I just reminded myself the book was published in 1939. That doesn't make it ok, but it's clearly a product of its time. I just take a moment to roll my eyes and move on. If it were published more recently, I wouldn't bother with it, but it's an old book and society has thankfully gotten better about that stuff

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FigFromHell t1_j5tlnzn wrote

Replying to dumbdotcom (#1,484,209)

Thank you, this gives me some perspective. If you look for the original, original title you'll see it's even worse. I know because in my native language it's still the same, it has not changed to any of the new ones.

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PapaBear12 t1_j5tqmlf wrote

For Poirot, "Murder on the Orient Express" is also great. Not a Poirot novel, but "And Then There Were None" is still an all-time favorite.

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Snickerty t1_j5tr529 wrote

Replying to OhSoManyQuestions (#1,484,203)

I think Christie also sideswipe the casual racism of upper class (white) British people, too. Poirot is often the subject of zenophobia. His foreigness is pointed out in numerous "those people" and "what do you expect from foreigners" comments. Our hero may not rant and rave about the injustice of ridiculous comments made by small minded, high handed, unpleasant people, but we do witness the insults with him. Poirot is a stoic intellectual: his mustachioed upper lip may well be Belgian, but it is definitely stiff.

Also,as you say, the books are written of their time too. Christie was born a Victorian, after all.

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cookerg t1_j5tz1bj wrote

Replying to Purdaddy (#1,484,484)

I don't have a firm recommendation. I just think the Roger Ackroyd book and Poirot's Last Case in particular, were written after she had amassed a following who were very familiar with her books, and she had honed her craft. So personally I would go roughly in chronological order even though each book is independent with no overarching story line.

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_PrincessOats t1_j5tzusf wrote

Replying to PapaBear12 (#1,484,946)

I just read And Then Were None as my first Christie book and I was absolutely blown away by it. Cannot recommend enough. I’ll be tackling Poirot novels next but wanted to start with a standalone.

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SonnyCalzone t1_j5u0dxg wrote

During my late teens and early twenties, I was easily a bigger fan of Agatha Christie's works than any of my so-called peers who also fancied themselves as readers-for-pleasure (very different from the readers-for-academia, I might add.)

Death On The Nile was a book I always refrained from reading because I had already seen the 1978 film adaptation (incredible cast including Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot) and the film had always been satisfying enough for me. I really ought to just pick up that damn book already. I think it's been long enough. Evil Under The Sun falls into that same category for me, for the same reasons. I ought to read that too.

And Then There Were None remains my favorite of her books, and I also greatly enjoyed Cards On The Table. Highly recommended.

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Bagpuss45 t1_j5u4f8y wrote

And then there was none and Murder on the Orient Express are the 2 greatest pieces of crime fiction ever written.. followed closely by the ABC murders...

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Grace_Alcock t1_j5u4mjj wrote

Replying to FigFromHell (#1,484,056)

In her 20s books, she uses the n word and about half a dozen variations on anti-semitism. Not to mention the classism, or the fact that adoptive parents and children are almost invariably evil or insane. She’s pretty awful—and worse than a lot of her contemporaries were, in fact. But her books are so damned skillfully written that I still love them. I just don’t like HER much.

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prss79513 t1_j5u5iux wrote

ABC murders is still my favorite

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Wonderful-Elk5080 t1_j5u5y6o wrote

Agatha Christie is one of my favourite authors, and 'Death on the Nile' is one of my favourite books of hers! :) I'm glad you like it. Some of my other favourites are 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd', 'Murder in Mesopotamia' and 'Murder at the Vicarage' (this one is a Miss Marple book). Definitely recommend you read any book written by her though :)

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Jimothy_Pickens t1_j5uarpa wrote

Definitely try some other poirot novels, they are always a great read. Also you could try "and then there were none" by Agatha Christie. Doesn't have a main detective but arguably her best book.

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thecaledonianrose t1_j5uf4tn wrote

This is probably my favorite Christie novel - if you like this one, try Murder on The Blue Train too.

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MajorBedhead t1_j5uh9xu wrote

I'm an outlier because I prefer the Miss Marple books over Poirot. Some of my suggestions are 4:50 From Paddington, At Bertram's Hotel, and Murder At The Vicarage.

I also enjoyed her Tommy and Tuppence series a lot.

I'm a big fan of that golden age of detective novels. Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Josephine Tey, they're all so good.

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cas-fortuit t1_j5ulhd6 wrote

Replying to cookerg (#1,485,903)

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is her 6th novel and her third with Poirot. I disagree. I think it should be read early but not first.

Edit: actually I don’t disagree. Read in chron order and you’ll read Ackroyd third or fourth depending on the list.

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schaefer3 t1_j5umjl5 wrote

There is a new book out called “Agatha Christie - Marple” in which 12 women writers write Miss Marple short stories in a combination of their style and Agatha Christie’s style. If you like Miss Marple, or Agatha Christie, you will really enjoy this book.

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saintjimmy43 t1_j5uykwd wrote

The death on the nile film with gal gadot is a fucking crime against humanity.

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Ernbrave t1_j5v76e6 wrote

Murder on the links for a little romance, and then there were none for her best book (IMO) and The Mysterious Mr. Quin for one almost supernatural, love the 3 of them

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cas-fortuit t1_j5vgooe wrote

Replying to cookerg (#1,491,879)

I think the first two Mysterious Affair of Styles and Murder on the Links are good intros to Poirot to read before. I think it’s worth reading Ackroyd early because it’s so easy to get spoiled.

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FrankNCastle t1_j5vmqfh wrote

I recently read "And Then There Were None" and I loved it. I started reading "Murder on the Orient Express" right after. She quickly became one of my favorite authors.

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No-Response3675 t1_j5vxix1 wrote

Replying to MajorBedhead (#1,487,971)

I loveee poirot and David Suchet who plays him, but I agree with you that Marple stories are more complex, more so coz she isn’t always present there like Poirot is? I absolutely love Mirror Cracked, Nemesis, 4:50 from Paddington, Sleeping beauty to name a few

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ilovelela t1_j5w0rrm wrote

If you can access the BBC series “Poirot” I absolutely love it, it was my introduction to Hercule Poirot, and I think it makes reading her Poirot books very enjoyable.

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[deleted] t1_j5w20ao wrote

You are reading the best of the genre, a classic of the highest level.And Then There Were None, is also a great book of Poirot. and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

You should also try some "classic noir"
The Maltese Falcon
The Big Sleep
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
These have been judged by critics to be the best mystery novels ever.
i think you can love also The Boys from Brazil. Is a great book different but great book.

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Adventurous-Pea8354 t1_j5w54x3 wrote

Way underrated by her, in my opinion, is The Man in the Brown Suit. One of my favorites!!

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Ziarh33 t1_j5wg00g wrote

I inherited around 70 Agatha Christie books from my grandfather back in the early 80's. Including "10 Little N**s". I'm Australian, so not sure if that was just the title here?. I do remember it was changed to " And Then There Were None " some years ago.

Either way, brilliant book, and a great introduction to her.

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No-Response3675 t1_j5wiak9 wrote

Replying to MajorBedhead (#1,496,462)

Yup! I have watched and rewatched all Marple episodes too. I like her, but she seems a bit too uptight for Miss Marple, if you compare her with the one in books, also more intelligent. Don’t they expect everyone to ignore Ms Marple, she can’t be ignored is what I mean 😅

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aFqqw4GbkHs t1_j5wjyqb wrote

I read a ton of her books at a teenager and have since forgotten most of the plot details, lols.So, I recently listened to a bunch in a wonderful audio book - it's called 'Poirot's Finest Cases' and it's recordings of Full-Cast BBC Radio dramatisations of these 8 books:

  • The ABC Murders
  • After the Funeral
  • Death on the Nile
  • Peril at End House
  • The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
  • Murder on the Orient Express
  • Three act Tragedy
  • The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Highly recommend! There's a 2nd, 'More of Poirot's Finest Cases' with another 7 books. they're not as 'fine' as the first list, but I enjoyed Five Little Pigs, Evil Under the Sun and Halloween Party

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LordBDizzle t1_j5wqlqf wrote

All of the Poirot mysteries are super good. Evil Under the Sun, Murder on the Orient Express, the ABC murders... Just make sure to read Curtain last (or after the good ones anyway). Good conclusion to the series.

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herbert_the_perbert t1_j5wu9rg wrote

It is a great book and not only as a murder mystery but also the way she subtly made it a cautionary tale about different ways of love and relationships.

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themehboat t1_j5wwicm wrote

Replying to datalaughing (#1,498,045)

That one was written after she had bizarrely faked her death and (according to some people) had tried to frame her ex-husband for her murder. She basically lost it and became a murder mystery character. It’s believed that her brother-in-law (or son-in-law? Something like that) actually wrote most of The Big Four as it was really nothing like her style.

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MsWonderWoman_xo t1_j5wzbwv wrote

I recently read this one but had a difficult time with the language. I have trouble reading/enjoying books that weren’t written in the 21st century, to be totally honest.

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MatchGirl499 t1_j5x7ksu wrote

Replying to Kenobi_01 (#1,484,202)

“And Then There Were None” is one of my favorites of all time. Even without a typical detective included, it’s one of the most interesting twists and absolutely a great read. Really interesting take about the slasher movie connection, I’d love to see someone research that!

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oishster t1_j5xbe47 wrote

I love Agatha Christie books so much! Of the Poirot books I particularly liked Five Little Pigs, I think it was so interesting to solve a mystery decades later. Murder on the Orient Express is great too, a classic for a reason.

Of course the Poirot books are excellent, but if you’re ever in the mood for some good non-poirot Agatha christies, Murder is Easy is one of my favorites! And Crooked House - one of my favorite twists tbh.

And I don’t know if these are mysteries exactly, but The Mysterious Mr. Quin is a really interesting collection of short stories that I wish got more attention.

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481126 t1_j5xbmmm wrote

I read almost all the Poirot books in 2022. You might also like peril at end house & evil under the sun.

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Jig_Wig t1_j5xdpuz wrote

Try 'And Then There Were None'. You won't be disappointed for sure

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No-Response3675 t1_j5xdqcg wrote

I also love Why didn’t they ask Evans- Tommy and tuppence mystery. Man in the brown suit is an underrated book too, though not a murder mystery

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Nintendoplease t1_j5xenjk wrote

Read murder on the orient express. It’s so good !!!

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anbu_night_ops t1_j5xg7jj wrote

My favorite of hers, by far is And Then There Were None. A simple yet complicated story, anyone could be the killer and such a great twist at the end.

I almost never comment on here but Christie is one of my favorite authors. Another one that I read recently was the mystery of the Christmas pudding. A few short but sweet stories.

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FranticPonE t1_j5xxi2y wrote

Replying to MajorBedhead (#1,487,971)

Yes to Miss Marple! Poirot as a series gets kind of out there from her personal, intimate murder mystery style because of the character's (apparently somewhat unwanted by Christie) own fame, which was put back into the books themselves.

Marple on the other hand continues on as a character in relative obscurity, and feels like what Christie wanted to write rather than what she felt obliged to (an opinion she apparently shared).

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franhawthorne t1_j5y9hu9 wrote

"The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" is in a class by itself -- is it unique among all detective mysteries? It was certainly a game-changer.

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Gabriel_Wolfen t1_j605hbm wrote

Replying to Purdaddy (#1,484,476)

I actually think The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a good place to start. It is more spare than her later novels, but you can see all the elements that characterize her mysteries. I didn't find it boring at all, and she does cleverly trick the reader, which is essentially her signature style.

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Volcano_Tequila t1_j6111d3 wrote

The great thing about Christie for me was that I really wanted her to completely bamboozle me, make me feel like an absolute fool for not seeing it all along. She was very fair in laying out the clues, and devious in deflecting me from seeing what was really going on. In the battle of wits, she mostly won, darn her!

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