The Pale Horse
One of Agatha Christie’s few supernatural novels, her foray into the world of black magic will definitely intrigue you. The Pale Horse was published in 1961 and looks at the idea of murder through otherworldly means. The novel follows Mark Easterbrook, a writer, as he is unwittingly drawn into the world of the Pale Horse after a murdered priest is found with a list of names in his shoe. One of those names is a deceased relative of Easterbrook’s. The Pale Horse used to be a pub, but is now a house owned by three women who are rumored to be the town’s witches. Their clients choose a person to eliminate, and the women at the Pale Horse take care of the rest. It is up to Easterbrook to figure out their secrets.
Murder is Easy
Published in 1939, Murder is Easy also has otherworldly elements. After a chance meeting on a train, Luke Fitzwilliam becomes obsessed with the goings on in a small English town. On the way to London Fitzwilliam shares a train compartment with Miss Fullerton, or Miss Pinkerton as she is known in some versions. She tells him she is on the way to Scotland Yard because she fears a murderer is on the loose in her village. There have been a series of deaths there that look like accidents, but she suspects foul play. After learning that Miss Fullerton perished in a hit and run accident on the way to Scotland Yard, Fitzwilliam feels compelled to investigate.
By the Pricking of my Thumbs
This 1968 mystery features Tommy and Tuppence, Agatha Christie’s lesser known detectives. After meeting Mrs. Lancaster at Tommy’s aunt’s retirement home and having a nice chat with her, Tuppence becomes worried when she quickly disappears from the home with no forwarding address. Mrs. Lancaster’s absence coupled with a portrait of a mysterious house and a series of suspicious deaths causes Tuppence to go off to investigate. She wants to find the house and Mrs. Lancaster before it’s too late. The investigation leads her to a tiny English village and she soon finds herself in danger.
They Came to Baghdad
Agatha Christie’s Middle Eastern influences through her travels with her archaeologist husband are evident in this 1951 novel. Victoria Jones hates her job and doesn’t hesitate to leave it and her native country when she instantly falls in love with a young man headed to Baghdad. She knows little more than his name and his destination when she connives to follow him and make him fall in love with her. Unbeknownst to Victoria, Baghdad is the location of a secret meeting of superpowers. She becomes caught up in this secret business when a young man falls into her hotel room looking for a place to hide. Following his dying words, Victoria sets out to solve this mystery. This is not a traditional Agatha Christie mystery story. It has more adventurous elements and makes the most of its setting in Baghdad.
Crooked House
This was reported to be Agatha Christie’s favorite book out of all that she had written. First published in 1949, Crooked House has one of the most shocking endings out of any of Christie’s other novels. The book follows Charles Hayward as he tries to clear up a murder in his fiancée’s family. His fiancée is Sophia Leonides. She is distressed by the murder of her grandfather at their family home, Three Gables, and she tells Charles that they can’t get married until his murder is solved. Everyone is a suspect as Charles delves deeper and deeper into the family’s affairs. This novel is packed with twists and turns that will leave you guessing until the last page.
With over 60 mystery novels to her credit, Agatha Christie has created many classic stories. Many of them feature her well-loved characters Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, but there are other novels that should not be forgotten.