As a self-proclaimed thriller fanatic and devoted Agatha Christie enthusiast, I devour everything from crime novels to TV adaptations. My bookshelf overflows with Christie’s Poirot mysteries and standalone thrillers, making me something of a budding detective myself.
When Netflix released Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials Mystery last week, I was eager to put my skills to the test—and spoiler alert, I cracked it. Growing up immersed in thrillers teaches you to pick apart clues, spot inconsistencies, and anticipate plot devices. Sadly, this means few stories truly surprise me anymore.
Seven Dials has all the classic Christie elements: a determined protagonist piecing together hidden truths, a cast of suspicious characters, and reveals that unfold in the finale. Yet, adapting Christie’s work for television is challenging, and this version fell short for me. Its suspense felt muted, and the tension lacked the heightening drama expected from her stories. The somewhat ambiguous ending, which diverges from the original novel, might explain this. Although adaptations can take creative liberties, I’ve found other Christie adaptations—both visual and audio—more compelling and intense.
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Here are five Christie adaptations that masterfully keep you guessing, sparking doubt and intrigue until their stunning conclusions.
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And Then There Were None
This was how I first discovered Christie through a BBC Radio 4 adaptation at age 14. The finale is shockingly unpredictable. The 2015 BBC miniseries follows ten strangers invited to a remote island, only to be accused of crimes via a mysterious gramophone recording. One by one, they are killed in ways echoed by the “Ten Little Soldier Boys” nursery rhyme, casting doubt on who can be trusted. The TV version streamlines the original ending for dramatic payoff, but for die-hard fans, the audio format’s conclusion is still thrilling. This adaptation remains one of the finest mystery tales ever told.
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Murder on the Orient Express
David Suchet’s portrayal of Hercule Poirot is definitive, and this adaptation is arguably his most iconic case. Onboard a snowbound train, Poirot investigates the brutal murder of American businessman Samuel Ratchett. With no chance for the killer to escape, every passenger’s story is scrutinized. The tragic backstory of Daisy Armstrong and the eventual revelation hold some of literature’s greatest plot twists—twists that have never been surpassed.
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Death on the Nile (1978)
While I personally prefer Suchet, Peter Ustinov’s Poirot captures the era’s spirit with wit and charm. This star-studded film boasts Maggie Smith, Angela Lansbury, Bette Davis, and more. When a wealthy heiress is murdered aboard the S.S Karnak, every passenger harboring secrets becomes a suspect. This adaptation perfectly maintains suspense from beginning to end, making it a timeless classic.
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Murder in Mesopotamia
One of Christie’s few Poirot tales set outside the usual English confines, this story delves into archaeology and ancient mysteries. Poirot arrives at an excavation site in Iraq, where the wife of the lead archaeologist faces death threats reminiscent of her past. When she’s murdered under confounding circumstances, Poirot must untangle a complex web of deceit. The BBC adaptation introduced me to this lesser-known gem, which lives up to Christie’s reputation for clever plotting.
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The Pale Horse
Set within a secluded country house, this mystery revolves around the suspicious death of matriarch Rachel. Her troubled son Jack is arrested, only to die in custody. Years later, Arthur Calgary appears with an alibi for Jack, stirring up buried secrets among the adopted family members and staff. Both book and screen adaptations offer intricate endings, with variations that enhance the drama for viewers while satisfying literary purists.
While Seven Dials Mystery offers an engaging watch, these five adaptations underscore why Agatha Christie remains the queen of suspense. They deliver the nail-biting tension and unforgettable twists every Christie fan craves.