Agatha Christie is a name familiar to every reader out there, be it a beginner or a literary fanatic. And why not? Her stories have ruled the minds and hearts of its readers over many decades, with several adaptations of the same coming out of them. Even though she’s written several hundred stories, her twists and turns have a way of pleasantly surprising you every time.
Best Agatha Christie Audiobooks To Listen!
Today, we’re going to look at some of the best Agatha Christie audiobooks from her vast catalog of works. These audiobook adaptations allow you to experience her stories in a new and more atmospheric way and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much more thrilling and mysterious your journey becomes through these audio adaptations.
1. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
This novel has been written from the perspective of Dr. James Sheppard, a break from the usual company of Captain Arthur Hastings in Poirot’s stories. The mystery opens in the village of King’s Abbot where Roger Ackroyd, a rich man, is found dead. The reason for death is believed to be suicide but it wouldn’t be a Christie mystery if all that appeared to the naked eye was true, no? With plenty of misdirections and red herrings, the audiobook opens up in front of you.
The story looks at the lengths people would transverse to guard their secrets. Ackroyd’s lover had killed her first husband, only for her to die later. The complex relationships and the incredible ways in which the human psyche works are what propels this mystery ahead. Hugh Fraser does an incredible job of voicing Shepphard (he’s also played Captain Hastings in the PBS show Mystery!), particularly when it comes to capturing the various accents of the characters. You can get the audiobook here! 🎧
2. And Then There Were None
Widely considered to be one of Christie’s best novels of all time. And Then There Were None is the story of ten strangers invited to a remote island under mysterious circumstances. As they gather at the mansion, they’ll soon realize that they’re completely cut off from the outside world, with no way of contacting anyone. In no time, panic ensues as they’re accused of committing a crime through a recording, and as one after another starts dying, it’s a pandemonium.
It’s a story that draws you into it and then doesn’t leave you till the very end. Christie deviates from her usual whodunit stories to create something rooted in guilt, redemption, and justice. The setting of an island is perfect for creating a sense of claustrophobia and doom, and this audiobook edition only further elevates that atmosphere. Dan Stevens voices this production and the way he captures each character and their characteristics keeps you fully engrossed in this unfolding drama. You can get the audiobook here! 🎧
3. The Mysterious Affair at Styles
The very first Hercule Poirot novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles introduces us to the beloved detective. When Emily Inglethorp, the wealthy owner of the Styles Court estate, is found dead under peculiar conditions, Poirot is asked to solve the puzzle of the murderer. As the clues and twists keep on compiling, it all rests on Poirot to find justice for the victim.
Christie does a great job of portraying Britain in the post-World War era and plays with a cast of characters, all with secret motivations of their own. Richard Armitage is perfect as the narrator of the audiobook and his performance brings each character to life in all their eccentricities and traits, creating an immersive listening experience for you. You can get the audiobook here! 🎧
4. Murder on the Orient Express
Perhaps the most well-known Poirot mystery by Christie, the story takes us aboard the lush Orient Express where the passengers find themselves stranged amid heavy snowfall. When Ratchett, a wealthy American, is found dead in his compartment, it would be up to Poirot to take it upon himself to solve the mystery. But the more he moves forth in the case, the more it gets messier and convoluted.
Each passenger is a suspect, each harboring their secrets and motivations, from the mysterious Princess Dragomiroff to the anxious Mary Debenham. The confined space of the train and the desolate surroundings are characters in itself. Dan Stevens does a phenomenal job of voicing the characters here, regardless of their gender and nationality, making the story all the more authentic for you. You can get the audiobook here! 🎧
5. Death on the Nile
This time around, meet Hercule Poirot in Egypt where he’s on a trip along the Nile river. As is usually the case, something terrible happens. When the young and rich Linnet Ridgeway, on a trip with her new husband, is found murdered on the trip, it would be on Poirot to find the murderer. The Egyptian sun is shining brightly and nothing that catches the eye is ever going to be the same.
As Poirot navigates this web of jealousy and deceit, we are treated to a delicious puzzle that keeps mystifying at every turn. The audiobook is voiced by David Suchet / Kenneth Branagh and few voice actors can capture the character of Poirot as well as he does. From his enigmatic personality to his deductive conclusions, you’re taken right away to the spot of the mystery through his performance. You can get the audiobook here! 🎧
6. The Murder on the Links
Poirot and his friend Hastings are sent for help by a certain man named Paul Renauld. Wealthy and anxious, he’s scared for his life and fears being murdered. His fears come true when he’s found murdered on a golf course before the duo can reach him. The suspects are many and the motives even more, but the deeper Poirot goes into this mystery, the more confusing it all becomes. Meanwhile, the police find their suspect in the crime, but all of it is thrown aside when an identical murder takes place elsewhere.
⭐ RECOMMENDED: Best Books To Read If You Like Agatha Christie! 🕵️♂️ 📚
The book is a classic Christie mystery and keeps you guessing at every turn. You’ll find it all here: false identities, false agendas, and false alliances, as new pieces keep adding to the puzzle of this case. Richard Armitage narrates this audiobook as well, and his talent to bring Hastings to life is truly remarkable. His voice captures the various French characters and their accents, making the story more lively and immersive for you. You can get the audiobook here! 🎧
7. The ABC Murders
Another classic Poirot mystery, this one has the detective receiving several letters, all signed “ABC”. The letters are warnings about murders yet to take place, and Poirot will have to race against everything as he tries to catch the killer. All he has are patterns and random acts of violence being committed one after another. As he tries to solve the clues of one murder, another is taking place out there.
Christie uses time as a plot device here, as the lack of time contrasts with Poirot’s usual calm and simple deductions. As the serial killer commits one murder after another, he’ll have to give it all to catch them, and Hugh Fraser’s performance perfectly elevates that sense of tension and hopelessness. You can get the audiobook here! 🎧
8. The Mystery of the Blue Train
By now, I’m sure you can spot some commonalities amidst the various Christie mysteries. There’s the death of a rich individual, there’s often some proportion of traveling involved, whether it’s in a train or a ship, and there’s, of course, Poirot there to solve it. Set on the luxurious titular train, The Mystery of the Blue Train is no different.
When the Blue Train arrives at its destination, Ruth Kettering is found murdered brutally, her body beyond recognition. Moreover, her rubies are missing, and the prime suspect is her husband. But Poirot believes otherwise, so he’ll stage the journey all over again, with the murderer somewhere amidst the passengers. Hugh Fraser narrates yet another Christie story and you can see why as he aptly captures the various accents and eccentricities of the characters. You can get the audiobook here! 🎧
9. Hercule Poirot: The Complete Short Stories
With a dream team of voice actors who’re regulars at narrating Christie mysteries, this collection of short stories is a must-listen for all. Few detectives in English literature can match the fame of the mustached, Belgian detective created by Christie. With over 50 stories, not only does this compilation show the range of Christie’s brilliant imagination, but it also presents some of the cleverest and most thrilling mysteries ever.
⭐ RECOMMENDED: Best Agatha Christie Books To Read For Beginners! 🕵️♀️ 📚
These stories also allow you to understand the eccentric detective better, as he comes in contact with a range of cases, settings, and characters throughout this audiobook. Despite its length, the compelling nature of the stories ensures it’s almost impossible for you to stop listening. What’s more, these stories are narrated by David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Isla Blair, Nigel Hawthorne, and Simon Vance, all acclaimed voice actors in their own right while also being known for narrating Christie’s stories. You can get the audiobook here! 🎧
10. Poirot’s Finest Cases
Ready for another compilation of stories? Don’t worry, I have them lined up for you. There are few productions as dynamic and enjoyable as radio dramatizations by BBC, and this is certainly no exception. With over 30 voice actors, these iconic cases by Christie are adapted in the best way possible.
The stories in this collection include The ABC Murders, Death on the Nile, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Murder on the Orient Express, and the Mysterious Affair at Styles. Even if you’ve read or listened to these novels already, this production adds a lot of flavor and character to them, and you shouldn’t miss out on them. Whether you’re a new fan of Christie or a devoted reader, this collection presents her finest writing in one place, and that in itself merits a listen. You can get the audiobook here! 🎧
11. Poirot Investigates
While Poirot is mostly known for his longer mysteries, be it the case in the Orient Express or the mystery of Roger Ackroyd’s murder, several shorter mysteries are less popular yet no less thrilling. From puzzling murders to jewelry thefts to elaborate schemes, these stories have it all.
Christie’s ingenious mind is on full display in this collection as she’ll keep you on the edge of your seats despite the number of stories here. Rendering this compilation even more compelling is Richard Armitage’s narration, as he heightens the tension and urgency of each story. If you can’t get enough of Poirot, this selection of short stories is for you, made all the better in this audiobook production. You can get the audiobook here! 🎧
12. More of Poirot’s Finest Cases
Yet another collection of Christie stories is at your disposal, but the last one, I promise. John Moffat stars once again as the famous Belgian detective with an entire cast of voice actors ensuring you get the most out of each story. The dramatization of these stories, complete with musical effects, creates a more enchanting and immersive listening experience for you.
You follow Poirot from one setting to another through each of these novels, whether he’s in Devon or Mesopotamia, whether he’s trying to find the culprit or absolve someone of suspicion. The stories here include Evil Under the Sun, Hallowe’en Party, Five Little Pigs, and Murder on the Links among others, and take you on the most remarkable journeys you’d ever be a part of. You can get the audiobook here! 🎧
13. The Secret of Chimneys
As promised, I’m back at the longer Christie stories. The Secret of Chimneys introduces us to Superintendent Battle, who’ll feature in multiple Christie adventures in the future. When Anthony Cade takes on the menial task of delivering the memoirs of a deceased count for a good sum of cash, he doesn’t know exactly how much trouble he’s in for.
⭐ RECOMMENDED: Best Underrated Agatha Christie Books You Shouldn’t Miss! 📚
That simple task will land him amid an international conspiracy that will bring out the scandals hidden in that memoir. All of this comes out in the backdrop of the Chimneys, a grand state. Meanwhile, Virginia Revel tries to clear her name while being stuck in all these deaths and mysteries. All that remains to be seen is if the one she seeks help from actually helps her or only drags her down further. Simon Jones does a stellar job of voicing this production, making the story all the more fun and engaging. You can get the audiobook here! 🎧
14. The Man in the Brown Suit
We follow Anne Beddingfield, an archaeologist’s daughter, on a trip through London looking for something thrilling. She finds just that at the London tube station when she witnesses a man’s death. With a few clues at her disposal, she sets out on a journey that will take her all the way to South Africa from England. The plot gets messier when she comes across stolen diamonds, plenty of secrets, and the titular man in the brown suit.
Christie’s descriptive writing about Africa is notable here and helps in making your journey alongside Anne that much more exciting. Amidst all this adventure and mystery, there’s ample romance for the lovebirds at heart. The audiobook is perfect for those who want to try something without any of Christie’s popular characters, and the dual narration of Nicola Barber and Graeme Malcolm renders the narrative all the more enthralling. You can get the audiobook here! 🎧
15. A Pocket Full of Rye
In this seventh Miss Marple mystery, a businessman is found murdered with a pocket full of rye. As you go deeper, a network of secrets and grudges come to the surface. Centered around a children’s rhyme, the mystery can only be solved by the ever-reliable Miss Marple. The partnership between Inspector Neil and Marple is a joy to listen to, and Marple’s observations, as always, make the story more entertaining.
The mystery keeps you guessing, and Christie wants to keep you guessing as she throws in ample misdirections and red herrings. While Miss Marple doesn’t feature heavily in the story, she still takes the stage once she makes her entry. Richard E. Grant as the narrator is perfect, whether it’s voicing the different characters, or building the suspense for the unfolding story. You can get the audiobook here! 🎧
These are the Best Agatha Christie Audiobooks that you should listen to! Do share your favorite ones in the comments below! Happy Listening! 🎧