Agatha Christie- Graphic Novels

Have you discovered any of the graphic novels of Agatha Christie's works? Her crime novels, as well as being adapted into films, plays and on television, have been reworked into wonderful comic style books.

'Famed for her crime masterpieces, Agatha Christie's books have become the best-selling in the world, appealing to readers young and old for their ingenious plots and immediately recognizable characters.
The stories have also transcended the printed page, become bestselling audiobooks and award-winning films, plays and television series. Now words and pictures combine in an exciting new way of telling these stories -- full-colour graphic novels which enhance the original stories and offer a completely new way of enjoying some of the world's most popular and exciting mysteries.'
from agathachristie.com

Not all of her books have been adapted, but here is the list so far of graphic novels:

Hercule Poirot:

The Murder on the Links
Murder on the Orient Express
Death on the Nile
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
The Mystery of the Blue Train
The Big Four
Murder in Mesopotamia
Hallowe'en Party
Peril at End House
Dumb Witness
Cards on the Table
Five Little Pigs
Dead Man's Folly
Evil Under the Sun

Miss Marple: 

The Murder at the Vicarage

Non Poirot/Marple:

The Secret of Chimneys
The Man in the Brown Suit
And Then There Were None
Endless Night
Ordeal by Innocence

Tommy and Tuppence:
The Secret Adversary
 
As you can see, the list is rather Poirot heavy, with only one Miss Marple adaptation. Perhaps she or the stories doesn't come across very well in this format? There are also many of the classic stories, such as And Then There Were None.

I think it is great that the books have been relaunched, and it is a good way of keeping them up to date. Younger readers will enjoy them, and perhaps then go on to read the full length novel. I feel that the stories are so iconic, the shorter version books can easily be read alongside the novel.

I particularly like the way they have captured Poirot, exactly as I would imagine him!

Murder on the Orient Express (left) and Death on the Nile

Of course, in order to shorten the books the dialogue has been simplified a little bit but none of the plot has been lost. I think the best versions are those of stories set in Egypt, such as Death on the Nile. I love the drawings of the famous monuments, and they add to the atmosphere.

The only complaint I have is that flashback sequences don't work quite as well as they do in the books.

If you are looking for another format of your favourite Christie story, then why not try one of these? I am shortly going to have a blog post comparing the two, starting with Dead Man's Folly (with my favourite Ariadne Oliver). Keep an eye out for it!




Do you think you would enjoy these books? Or do you think that it is best to read the full length novels? Please leave a comment and let me know!

Sunday Brunch with Poirot

Poirot clung firmly to the Continental breakfast. To see me consuming eggs and bacon upset and distressed him - so he always said. Consequently he breakfasted in bed upon coffee and rolls and I was free to start the day with the traditional Englishman's breakfast of bacon and eggs and marmalade.

Peril at End House (1932) by Agatha Christie

I always love having a long, luxurious breakfast on a Sunday. There is never enough time in the week to have anything other than cereal, so it is nice to have something hot.
Come and join me and Poirot for Sunday brunch, whilst we catch up on news and events in the classic crime world!

First chapter of The Monogram Murders

"Since the publication of her first novel in 1920, more than two billion copies of Agatha Christie's books have been sold around the globe. Now, for the first time ever, the guardians of her legacy have approved a brand-new novel featuring Dame Agatha's most beloved creation, Hercule Poirot.
Internationally bestselling author Sophie Hannah breathes new life into the incomparable detective. In this thrilling tale, Poirot plunges into a mystery set in 1920s London—a diabolically clever puzzle that will test his brilliant skills and baffle and delight longtime Christie fans and new generations of readers discovering him for the first time. Authorized by Christie's family, and featuring the most iconic detective of all time, this instant Christie classic is sure to be celebrated by mystery lovers the world over."

The wait is almost over! The brand new Poirot mystery, written by Sophie Hannah is due out this month.

The good kind people at agathachristie.com have released an online preview of the first chapter. I suggest you head over there and check it out, if you haven't already!

After the finality of Curtain, it will be interesting to see where this book fits into the Poirot chronology. Perhaps this is the start of a whole new series of Poirot books?

British Library Crime Classics

Have you seen any of the new releases from the British Library? The Crime Classics series aim to help rediscover 'some of the forgotten gems of the Golden Age of British crime writing.' By reprinting books from the 1930s, hopefully this will bring a whole new audience to these crime classics.

The covers are also beautiful, and would look lovely in anyone's crime collection.

My recommendation would be for Murder Underground by Mavis Doriel Hay.

'When Miss Pongleton is found murdered on the stairs of Belsize Park station, her fellow-boarders in the Frampton Hotel are not overwhelmed with grief at the death of a tiresome old woman. But they all have their theories about the identity of the murderer, and help to unravel the mystery of who killed the wealthy ‘Pongle’. Several of her fellow residents – even Tuppy the terrier – have a part to play in the events that lead to a dramatic arrest.

This classic mystery novel is set in and around the Northern Line of the London Underground. It is now republished for the first time since the 1930s. Includes an introduction by Stephen Booth, award-winning crime writer.'

Sherlock Holmes

Penguin Classics has released some beautiful editions of four Sherlock Holmes novels: A Study in Scarlet, The Valley of Fear, The Adventure of the Six Napoleons and Other Cases, and The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb and Other Cases. These were all released 4th September.

 I love the front cover with all the hats for The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb.

Well, that is the weekly roundup- join me next week for another Sunday Brunch!

What new books are you looking forward to? Which of the book covers above do you like best? Please leave a comment below!

Christie's Corner

Every month as part of my regular blogging, I shall bring you a dedicated post to all things Agatha Christie known as Christie's Corner.
So let's begin with an overview of her books, and my personal favourites.

Favourite recurring character?

My favourite character who appears in more than one book is Ariadne Oliver (portrayed by Zoe Wanamaker in the TV series, Agatha Christie's Poirot). The first full length novel she appears in is Cards on the Table (1936).

Mrs Oliver in Dead Man's Folly

Her profession as a mystery novelist means she feels she is very experienced and able at solving crimes. However fiction is lot different from 'real life' and she doesn't find it as easy as she thought.
I think she makes a perfect comic partner to Poirot, and provides a lot of light-hearted humour.

Favourite detective?

I know most people here would pick Poirot, but I am going to be a little different and choose Tommy and Tuppence. I think N or M? is a perfect example of fifth column worries during the Second World War, and makes a great spy novel.

Christie choose to show the husband and wife ageing as their books went along. So The Secret Adversary (1922) shows the couple as young keen sleuths, who form a detective agency together.
The four further books to feature them show their relationship, as they marry, have children and then settle down into retirement.

I am very excited about the upcoming BBC adaptation of Partners in Crime, which will star David Walliams as Tommy. Not sure who has been cast to play Tuppence yet.



Favourite short story?

Without a doubt it is Yellow Iris, which features Hercule Poirot and was first published in 1937. If you haven't read it, you simply must buy the book Problem at Pollensa Bay which is a collection of short stories.
The TV adaptation of the book is also one of the high points of the series, and is well worth watching.







Favourite Miss Marple story?

It would have to be The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side, from  1962. Although many people might say the quality of writing dropped off as Christie became older, I think this book is an exception.




Favourite Poirot story?

This is such a hard one! My first thought was Death in the Clouds (1935) but then I enjoyed reading so many books! Death on the Nile (1937) is fantastic, as I love the exotic setting and there is a great collection of characters.
I have a soft spot for Dead Man's Folly (1956), which also includes Ariadne Oliver. I can't pick!

The top 3

Least favourite?

Passenger to Frankfurt was Agatha Christie's eightieth book, published in 1970, and it is an example of just how much the quality deteriorated. I have tried to bring myself to read it many times, and it is so bad. The storyline is ridiculous, the characters are unbelievable and it is a chore to read.



If you could only read one book?

And Then There Were None (1939). I don't remember ever reading a book faster! Unlike Murder on the Orient Express, I had no idea of the solution and I couldn't wait to get to the big reveal.
It does not disappoint, and it is clear to me why this out of all her novels is the best-selling.

The BBC are going to show a three part adaptation of the book in 2015, so keep a look out for that!



Do you agree or disagree with any of my choices? Please leave a comment!