Read Christie 2021 is a year-long, annual reading challenge featuring monthly challenge categories encouraging mystery fans to read one Agatha Christie book a month for the year. This is my first year participating, and wanted to share what I plan to read for the challenge! Some books I'll be reading were selected by AgathaChristie.com, and others I chose because I own the book or it's one I wanted to read that also fits a category. Check out my picks below.
A story set in a grand house: The Mysterious Affair at Styles
For January, I will be reading the first book to feature the intrepid Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. This book that launched the career of one of the most famous writers of all time was published in 1920 in the United states, and in 1921 in the United Kingdom. It is narrated by Hastings, who is along for the ride as Poirot and his renowned skills of detection are applied when a wealthy heiress is murdered, forcing the detective out of retirement to find the killer.
The official pick for this month is The Hollow.
A story featuring love: Parker Pyne Investigates
For February, I will be following the official picks and reading Parker Pyne Investigates, a collection of short stories featuring an unconventional private investigator, Parker Pyne, who advertises his services in the newspaper. Pyne promises his services will improve people's lives, and seeks to provide happiness rather than simply solve crimes. I have not read a Parker Pyne story yet, so I'm excited to dive into this new territory in Christie's works.
A story starring a society figure: Lord Edgware Dies
In March, I'm also following the official picks and going with Lord Edgware Dies, another Hercule Poirot tale, in which Poirot is presented with a very obvious suspect for the murder of Lord Edgware; his estranged wife. Yet, his wife was seen dining with friends at the time of the murder, presenting a puzzle Poirot is determined to solve.
A story set before WWII: Murder is Easy
April's pick departs from Poirot as the lead detective and is part of the Superintendent Battle series of books, and our investigator is Officer Luke Fitzwilliam, who stumbles onto a potential serial killer in a quiet English victim. I have not read books in this series yet either, so I'm looking forward to meeting new characters.
A story featuring tea: A Pocket Full of Rye
In May, I'll be reading A Pocket Full of Rye, a Miss Marple mystery featuring a death by tea or, at least, someone dying while drinking tea. In the dead man's pockets are traces of cereals, only adding to the mystery. Miss Marple is on the case, uncovering crimes centering on children's nursery rhymes.
A story featuring a garden: Dead Man's Folly
For June, it's back to Hercule Poirot! This time, featuring a mock murder mystery and a crime writer, a friend of Poirot, who invites him to their event for his assistance. I chose this book as apparently there is a scene in a garden, and this one was left up to participants for what to pick to read, plus it features one of Poirot's toughest puzzles.
A story starring a vicar: The Murder at the Vicarage
July's book is The Murder at the Vicarage, the debut story featuring Miss Marple set in a local vicarage where Colonel Protheroe, despised in the town, is found shot through the head. There are no witnesses and no leads, but an endless supply of suspects.
A story set by the seaside: The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories
In August, there was an open prompt for an story set by the seaside, so I selected this short story collection which includes stories that feature Poirot, Miss Marple, and Parker Pyne. I think it will be a fun, eclectic mix of stories and will be perfect for wrapping up the summer.
A story featuring a school: Cat Among the Pigeons
September means back to school and reading Cat Among the Pigeons, a Poirot mystery set at an all-girls school where the unpopular games mistress is found dead among the lacrosse sticks in the sports pavilion. I love theme reading for the season, and am looking forward to reading a back-to-school murder mystery in the fall.
A story set on a mode of transport: Death on the Nile
The prompt for October was open-ended as well, and there are many transport-themed Christie novels to choose from. Partially due to the film adaptation on its way, and also because I love anything set in Egypt, I chose Death on the Nile. Set on a cruise along the Nile, a beautiful, stylish socialite is found murdered, and Poirot is on the case.
A story set after WWII: Crooked House
In November, the pick is Crooked House, published in 1949. This mystery takes place in an affluent London suburb, where Aristde Leonides is found dead of a barbiturate poisoning. Leonides leaves behind a much younger wife set to inherit a large fortune. Rumors of affairs and family secrets abound as criminologist Charles Hayward investigates.
A story set during bad weather: The Sittaford Mystery
Closing out the year in December with the official pick, The Sittaford Mystery, set in a remote in house in the middle of Dartmoor. I am especially looking forward to this tale, which features a seance and spiritualism, set in a chilly, spooky location.
Are you taking part in Read Christie 2021? Are you reading the official picks, all your own, or mixing it up as I am? What are you most looking forward to in this challenge? Let me know in the comments below!
Happy reading & sleuthing,
Stephanie
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