As an avid fan of thrillers and mysteries, I’m especially devoted to Agatha Christie’s work. My bookshelf is brimming with her titles, and I’ve eagerly read nearly three-quarters of her Poirot series along with many standalone novels. This makes me somewhat of a Christie expert and an eager detective at heart.
So, when Netflix released Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials Mystery last week, I was ready to put my skills to the test—and spoiler alert: I solved it. Growing up immersed in this genre sharpens your ability to spot clues, spot inconsistencies, and unravel the typical narrative patterns. Most thrillers follow a familiar formula, meaning the dramatic twists rarely surprise me anymore.
Seven Dials has all the classic Christie elements: a determined protagonist chasing the truth, a cast full of potential suspects, and a crescendo of revelations at the end. Yet adapting Christie’s rich novels to the screen is a tricky task, and this version didn’t quite hit the mark. The underpinning conspiracy Bundle (portrayed brilliantly by Mia McKenna-Bruce) pursues is intriguing, but the show lacks the suspense and dramatic tension Christie is famed for.
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Part of this may come from the somewhat ambiguous ending, which diverges from the original book. While changes are a natural part of adaptation, I’ve seen other versions of Christie’s work that deliver much stronger suspense and impact.
Here are five Christie adaptations that truly keep you guessing until the very last moment:
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And Then There Were None
This story was my gateway to Christie, thanks to a BBC Radio 4 adaptation I heard as a teenager. The unpredictable conclusion remains unforgettable. The 2015 miniseries tells of ten strangers lured to an isolated island off Devon, accused of crimes by a mysterious gramophone recording. Guests start dying one by one in chilling ways inspired by the nursery rhyme “Ten Little Soldier Boys.” The TV adaptation simplifies the ending but offers a satisfying payoff, while the audio version delivers a thrilling, immersive experience. It’s widely regarded as one of the greatest mystery novels ever written.
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Murder on the Orient Express
Arguably the most famous Poirot case, David Suchet’s portrayal of the detective adds gravitas to this classic story. When American businessman Samuel Ratchett is murdered on a snowbound train, Poirot must investigate among a cast of apparently unrelated passengers. The chilling backstory, involving a tragic kidnapping and murder, leads to one of the most iconic twists in literary history. The investigation keeps you questioning motives and suspects right up to the final moments.
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Death on the Nile
While David Suchet sets the standard as Poirot, Peter Ustinov’s portrayal in this adaptation offers a charming and witty alternative, especially when compared to more recent versions. Featuring a stellar cast including Maggie Smith, Angela Lansbury, and Bette Davis, the film unravels the murder of a wealthy heiress aboard a luxury steamer. Every passenger seems to have a hidden motive, making the story a masterclass in suspense and misdirection.
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Murder in Mesopotamia
Breaking away from the classic settings, this Poirot story unfolds at an archaeological excavation in Iraq. When Dr. Eric Leidner’s wife receives threatening letters from her presumed-dead first husband and is later found murdered, Poirot’s investigative genius faces a puzzling case with few clues. The BBC adaptation was my introduction, though I only read the novel several years later—both offer intricate storytelling that keeps you guessing.
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The Pale Horse
One of Christie’s standalone novels, The Pale Horse narrates a tangled tale of murder, wrongful conviction, and surprising alibis. The Argyll family’s serene life is shattered when matriarch Rachel is found dead, and her troubled son Jack is imprisoned, only to die in custody. Two years later, a visitor arrives claiming an alibi for Jack, exposing hidden family secrets. The TV adaptation diverges from the novel’s ending, but both versions weave equally complex and engaging narratives.
While Netflix’s Seven Dials Mystery offers enjoyable entertainment, these five adaptations showcase Christie’s genius at its most suspenseful and thrilling. They remind us why she remains the undisputed queen of mystery storytelling.