Below is the complete list of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot books in order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Publication Order of Hercule Poirot Books
- The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920)
The Mysterious Affair at Styles was published in 1920 and is listed as book #1 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Murder on the Links (1923)
Published in 1923, The Murder on the Links is listed as book #2 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Poirot Investigates (1924)
Poirot Investigates is a 1924 release and appears as book #3 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926)
In the Hercule Poirot series, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is book #4 and was published in 1926. - The Big Four (1927)
The Big Four was first published in 1927; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #5. - The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928)
The Mystery of the Blue Train was published in 1928 and is listed as book #6 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Black Coffee (1930)
Published in 1930, Black Coffee is listed as book #7 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Peril at End House (1932)
Peril at End House is a 1932 release and appears as book #8 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Lord Edgware Dies / Thirteen at Dinner (1933)
In the Hercule Poirot series, Lord Edgware Dies / Thirteen at Dinner is book #9 and was published in 1933. - Three Act Tragedy / Murder in Three Acts (1934)
Three Act Tragedy / Murder in Three Acts was first published in 1934; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #10. - Murder on the Orient Express / Murder in the Calais Coach (1934)
Murder on the Orient Express / Murder in the Calais Coach was published in 1934 and is listed as book #11 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Death in the Clouds / Death in the Air (1935)
Published in 1935, Death in the Clouds / Death in the Air is listed as book #12 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The ABC Murders (1936)
The ABC Murders is a 1936 release and appears as book #13 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Murder in Mesopotamia (1936)
In the Hercule Poirot series, Murder in Mesopotamia is book #14 and was published in 1936. - Cards on the Table (1936)
Cards on the Table was first published in 1936; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #15. - Dumb Witness / Poirot Loses a Client (1937)
Dumb Witness / Poirot Loses a Client was published in 1937 and is listed as book #16 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Death on the Nile (1937)
Published in 1937, Death on the Nile is listed as book #17 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Murder in the Mews / Dead Man’s Mirror (1937)
Murder in the Mews / Dead Man's Mirror is a 1937 release and appears as book #18 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Appointment with Death (1938)
In the Hercule Poirot series, Appointment with Death is book #19 and was published in 1938. - Hercule Poirot’s Christmas / Holiday for Murder / Murder for Christmas (1938)
Hercule Poirot's Christmas / Holiday for Murder / Murder for Christmas was first published in 1938; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #20. - The Girdle of Hyppolita (1939)
The Girdle of Hyppolita was published in 1939 and is listed as book #21 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Nemean Lion (1939)
Published in 1939, The Nemean Lion is listed as book #22 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Sad Cypress (1940)
Sad Cypress is a 1940 release and appears as book #23 in the Hercule Poirot series. - One, Two, Buckle My Shoe / Overdose of Death (1940)
In the Hercule Poirot series, One, Two, Buckle My Shoe / Overdose of Death is book #24 and was published in 1940. - Evil Under the Sun (1941)
Evil Under the Sun was first published in 1941; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #25. - Five Little Pigs / Murder in Retrospect (1942)
Five Little Pigs / Murder in Retrospect was published in 1942 and is listed as book #26 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Hollow / Murder after Hours (1946)
Published in 1946, The Hollow / Murder after Hours is listed as book #27 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Taken at the Flood / There Is A Tide…. (1948)
Taken at the Flood / There Is A Tide…. is a 1948 release and appears as book #28 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Mrs. McGinty’s Dead / Blood Will Tell (1952)
In the Hercule Poirot series, Mrs. McGinty's Dead / Blood Will Tell is book #29 and was published in 1952. - After the Funeral / Funerals are Fatal (1953)
After the Funeral / Funerals are Fatal was first published in 1953; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #30. - Hickory Dickory Dock (1955)
Hickory Dickory Dock was published in 1955 and is listed as book #31 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Dead Man’s Folly (1956)
Published in 1956, Dead Man's Folly is listed as book #32 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Cat Among the Pigeons (1959)
Cat Among the Pigeons is a 1959 release and appears as book #33 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding / The Theft of the Royal Ruby (1960)
In the Hercule Poirot series, The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding / The Theft of the Royal Ruby is book #34 and was published in 1960. - The Clocks (1963)
The Clocks was first published in 1963; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #35. - Third Girl (1966)
Third Girl was published in 1966 and is listed as book #36 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Hallowe’en Party / A Haunting in Venice (1969)
Published in 1969, Hallowe'en Party / A Haunting in Venice is listed as book #37 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Elephants Can Remember (1972)
Elephants Can Remember is a 1972 release and appears as book #38 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Curtain (1975)
In the Hercule Poirot series, Curtain is book #39 and was published in 1975.
Publication Order of Hercule Poirot Short Stories/Novellas Books
- The Adventure of the Cheap Flat (1923)
The Adventure of the Cheap Flat was first published in 1923; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #40. - The King of Clubs (1923)
The King of Clubs was published in 1923 and is listed as book #41 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Adventure of Johnnie Waverly (1923)
Published in 1923, The Adventure of Johnnie Waverly is listed as book #42 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman (1923)
The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman is a 1923 release and appears as book #43 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Veiled Lady (1923)
In the Hercule Poirot series, The Veiled Lady is book #44 and was published in 1923. - The Kidnapped Prime Minister (1923)
The Kidnapped Prime Minister was first published in 1923; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #45. - The Plymouth Express (1923)
The Plymouth Express was published in 1923 and is listed as book #46 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Christmas Adventure (1923)
Published in 1923, Christmas Adventure is listed as book #47 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan (1923)
The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan is a 1923 release and appears as book #48 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor (1923)
In the Hercule Poirot series, The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor is book #49 and was published in 1923. - The Affair at the Victory Ball (1923)
The Affair at the Victory Ball was first published in 1923; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #50. - The Adventure of the Western Star (1923)
The Adventure of the Western Star was published in 1923 and is listed as book #51 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb (1923)
Published in 1923, The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb is listed as book #52 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Submarine Plans (1923)
The Submarine Plans is a 1923 release and appears as book #53 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Adventure of the Clapham Cook (1923)
In the Hercule Poirot series, The Adventure of the Clapham Cook is book #54 and was published in 1923. - The Lost Mine (1923)
The Lost Mine was first published in 1923; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #55. - The Lemesurier Inheritance (1923)
The Lemesurier Inheritance was published in 1923 and is listed as book #56 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Chocolate Box (1925)
Published in 1925, The Chocolate Box is listed as book #57 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Chess Problem (1927)
The Chess Problem is a 1927 release and appears as book #58 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Double Sin (1928)
In the Hercule Poirot series, Double Sin is book #59 and was published in 1928. - The Third-Floor Flat (1929)
The Third-Floor Flat was first published in 1929; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #60. - Wasps’ Nest (1929)
Wasps' Nest was published in 1929 and is listed as book #61 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Second Gong (1932)
Published in 1932, The Second Gong is listed as book #62 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest (1932)
The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest is a 1932 release and appears as book #63 in the Hercule Poirot series. - How Does Your Garden Grow? (1935)
In the Hercule Poirot series, How Does Your Garden Grow? is book #64 and was published in 1935. - Triangle at Rhodes (1936)
Triangle at Rhodes was first published in 1936; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #65. - Poirot and the Regatta Mystery (1936)
Poirot and the Regatta Mystery was published in 1936 and is listed as book #66 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Yellow Iris (1937)
Published in 1937, Yellow Iris is listed as book #67 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Incredible Theft (1937)
The Incredible Theft is a 1937 release and appears as book #68 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Dream (1937)
In the Hercule Poirot series, The Dream is book #69 and was published in 1937. - The Cretan Bull (1939)
The Cretan Bull was first published in 1939; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #70. - The Stymphalean Birds (1939)
The Stymphalean Birds was published in 1939 and is listed as book #71 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Lernean Hydra (1939)
Published in 1939, The Lernean Hydra is listed as book #72 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Apples of Hesperides (1940)
The Apples of Hesperides is a 1940 release and appears as book #73 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Flock of Geryon (1940)
In the Hercule Poirot series, The Flock of Geryon is book #74 and was published in 1940. - The Horses of Diomedes (1940)
The Horses of Diomedes was first published in 1940; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #75. - The Augean Stables (1940)
The Augean Stables was published in 1940 and is listed as book #76 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Erymanthian Boar (1940)
Published in 1940, The Erymanthian Boar is listed as book #77 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Arcadian Deer (1940)
The Arcadian Deer is a 1940 release and appears as book #78 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Capture of Cerberus (1947)
In the Hercule Poirot series, The Capture of Cerberus is book #79 and was published in 1947. - The Mystery of the Spanish Chest (1960)
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest was first published in 1960; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #80. - Afternoon at the Seaside (1962)
Afternoon at the Seaside was published in 1962 and is listed as book #81 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Patient (1962)
Published in 1962, The Patient is listed as book #82 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Witness for the Prosecution (1983)
The Witness for the Prosecution is a 1983 release and appears as book #83 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Four and Twenty Blackbirds (1989)
In the Hercule Poirot series, Four and Twenty Blackbirds is book #84 and was published in 1989. - The Million Dollar Bond Robbery (1998)
The Million Dollar Bond Robbery was first published in 1998; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #85. - The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim (2012)
The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim was published in 2012 and is listed as book #86 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Market Basing Mystery (2013)
Published in 2013, The Market Basing Mystery is listed as book #87 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Mystery of Hunter’s Lodge (2013)
The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge is a 2013 release and appears as book #88 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Cornish Mystery (2013)
In the Hercule Poirot series, The Cornish Mystery is book #89 and was published in 2013. - Problem at Sea (2013)
Problem at Sea was first published in 2013; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #90. - Hercule Poirot and the Greenshore Folly (2013)
Hercule Poirot and the Greenshore Folly was published in 2013 and is listed as book #91 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Under Dog (2016)
Published in 2016, The Under Dog is listed as book #92 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Double Clue (2019)
The Double Clue is a 2019 release and appears as book #93 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Case of the Missing Will (2019)
In the Hercule Poirot series, The Case of the Missing Will is book #94 and was published in 2019.
Publication Order of Hercule Poirot Collections Books
- The Labours of Hercules / The Labors of Hercules (1947)
The Labours of Hercules / The Labors of Hercules was first published in 1947; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #95. - The Witness for the Prosecution (1948)
The Witness for the Prosecution was published in 1948 and is listed as book #96 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Under Dog and Other Stories (1951)
Published in 1951, The Under Dog and Other Stories is listed as book #97 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Poirot’s Early Cases (1974)
Poirot's Early Cases is a 1974 release and appears as book #98 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Hercule Poirot’s Casebook (1984)
In the Hercule Poirot series, Hercule Poirot's Casebook is book #99 and was published in 1984. - Hercule Poirot: The Complete Short Stories (1984)
Hercule Poirot: The Complete Short Stories was first published in 1984; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #100. - The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories (1997)
The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories was published in 1997 and is listed as book #101 in the Hercule Poirot series. - Poirot’s Finest Cases (2014)
Published in 2014, Poirot's Finest Cases is listed as book #102 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Double Clue (2016)
The Double Clue is a 2016 release and appears as book #103 in the Hercule Poirot series. - The Early Cases of Hercule Poirot (2019)
In the Hercule Poirot series, The Early Cases of Hercule Poirot is book #104 and was published in 2019. - The Grey Cells of Mr. Poirot (2019)
The Grey Cells of Mr. Poirot was first published in 2019; within the Hercule Poirot series, it is listed as book #105.
About Hercule Poirot
Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot books are the backbone of her career and one of the great long-form achievements in detective fiction. Poirot first appears in The Mysterious Affair at Styles and remains with Christie across decades of writing, ending with Curtain, a final case written much earlier and held back until near the end of her life. That publication history alone is a good reminder that Poirot is not just a recurring detective used whenever Christie needed a familiar name. He is a full career-spanning creation, and publication order matters because it lets readers watch both the character and Christie’s handling of him evolve over time.
Poirot is instantly recognizable: the immaculate appearance, the symmetry, the vanity, the formal manners, the famous moustaches, and above all the conviction that the mind is the true instrument of detection. What separates him from many later fictional detectives is that he rarely depends on physical daring or procedural grind. He solves crimes by understanding disorder in human nature while insisting on order in thought. The “little grey cells” are not a gimmick. They are the series’ governing principle. Poirot listens, observes, compares, and waits for vanity, fear, jealousy, greed, or wounded pride to reveal themselves.
One of the pleasures of reading the Poirot books in order is seeing how flexible Christie made him. In some novels he is at the center from the first page, conducting the investigation openly and confidently. In others he arrives later, almost as a force of clarification entering a world already clouded by suspicion and self-deception. He can function in country houses, on trains, in hotels, on archaeological digs, in seaside resorts, in London drawing rooms, and abroad. That range is part of why the series never feels trapped in one repetitive formula. Christie uses Poirot to explore different kinds of settings and social worlds while keeping the same central intelligence intact.
Publication order also matters because the books show Christie becoming increasingly daring with structure. The early Poirot novels establish the basic pleasures of clue, suspect, alibi, and final revelation. As the series develops, Christie grows bolder. Some of the most famous Poirot books are memorable not simply because the killer is surprising, but because the entire form of the mystery is being bent in unexpected ways. She plays with narration, with assumptions about guilt, with shared responsibility, with stage-managed appearances, and with how much the reader thinks a detective story is allowed to do. Poirot is the ideal guide for those experiments because he is both theatrical and rigorous enough to carry them.
Captain Hastings also matters to the series, especially in the earlier books. He gives Poirot a useful contrast: warmer, more conventional, often slower to see what is in front of him, and therefore an excellent measure of the reader’s own assumptions. Their partnership helps define the early tone of the series, though Poirot later works with a wider range of companions, officials, and clients. Reading in order makes those shifts more satisfying, because it becomes clear that Christie is not simply repeating one detective-and-sidekick arrangement forever.
Another reason publication order is rewarding is tonal change. The early books often carry more overt lightness and puzzle energy. Later Poirot novels can feel stranger, sadder, or more morally complicated. Christie never abandons clarity, but she increasingly allows darkness into the series: spiritual emptiness, wartime shadows, corruption beneath respectability, and the idea that solving a crime does not always restore the world to moral comfort. By the time you reach the late books, Poirot can seem less merely amusing and more poignant, a man of order moving through a century that has become harder to set right.
For readers who already have the list above, the best way to think about the Hercule Poirot books is as more than a chain of classic mysteries. Read in publication order, they become the record of Christie’s greatest fictional instrument at work: a detective who turns vanity, logic, manners, and psychological insight into one of literature’s most enduring methods of discovering the truth.