BookPath
Crooked House
Agatha Christie

Crooked House

Quick Answer

Read "Crooked House" as the 7th book in the Standalone Novels sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "Last Man Standing" (Book 6)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: As the 7th installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

Is this helpful?
2011256 pp
Three generations of the Leonides family live together in a large, if somewhat crooked looking, house. Then the wealthy patriarch, Aristide, is murdered. Suspicion falls on the whole household, including Aristide's two sons, his widow – fifty years his junior – and even his three grandchildren. Could any member of this seemingly devoted family have had a hand in his death? Can Charles Hayward, fiance of the late millionaire's granddaughter, help the police find the killer and clear his loved one's name?Christie always acknowledged this novel as one of her favourites. She said in an interview in The Sunday Times that she enjoyed best writing the Crooked House type novel, "which depends on a family and the interplay of their lives."
Next Recommended Book

The Partner

Book #7 of 524 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Standalone Novels conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading Crooked House?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read Crooked House before Last Man Standing?

No. We recommend reading Last Man Standing first. Crooked House is the 7th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is Crooked House required reading for the Standalone Novels?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after Crooked House in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Crooked House is The Partner (Book #7).