Agatha Christie's Poirot

In celebration of the centennial of one of the world’s greatest literary characters, a beautiful exploration and history of Agatha Christie’s legendary detective, Hercule Poirot in books, theater, television, and film.

For a century, Agatha Christie’s famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot has maintained a near-permanent presence in world culture. The star of thirty-three novels, beginning with The Mysterious Affair at Styles, one play (Black Coffee), more than fifty short stories published between 1920 and 1975, and stage, movie, and television adaptations, the detective who solved diabolical crimes using his “little grey cells” has enamored audiences for generations. 

In this definitive “biography” of Poirot, Christie expert Mark Aldridge traces the detective’s development, from Agatha Christie's earliest conceptions through each book’s publication to today, when he is enjoying a worldwide renaissance, inspired by enduring public adoration. 

Aldridge includes fascinating stories not only about Christie's various inspirations, but the many obstacles artists have faced in bringing Poirot to the screen. He also reveals how Christie's attitude towards her beloved creation transformed across time. Culminating with the latest works featuring Poirot from acclaimed actor and director Kenneth Branagh, Agatha Christie's Poirot is the ultimate guide to understanding how and why Hercule Poirot has remained a pop-culture icon for a century—and why his popularity will continue to endure. 

Packed with never-before-published materials from the Agatha Christie archives—including the first draft of Christie’s very first Poirot short story, “The Affair at the Victory Ball”—and illustrated with 150 color and black-and-white images, including photos, illustrations, and original book covers, Agatha Christie's Poirot is a must-have keepsake for mystery lovers and all Christie devotees.