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Poirot Investigates
Agatha Christie

Poirot Investigates

Quick Answer

Read "Poirot Investigates" as the 3rd book in the Hercule Poirot Mysteries sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "Adventure Of The King Of Clubs" (Book 2)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

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

Verdict Insight: As the 3rd installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

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2009272 pp
in published order, the first 10 Christie mystery books featuring Poirot are: 1) The Mysterious Affair at Styles, 2) The Murder on the Links, 3) Poirot Investigates, 4) The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, 5) The Big Four, 6) The Mystery of the Blue Train, 7) Black Coffee: A Mystery Play in Three Acts [Charles Osborne novelized the play in 1998 under the title, Black Coffee], 8) Peril at End House, 9) Lord Edgware Dies, and 10) Murder on the Orient Express. Each has its own entry on Goodreads.
Next Recommended Book

The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd

Book #4 of 19 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 Hercule Poirot Mysteries 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 Poirot Investigates?

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

Can I read Poirot Investigates before Adventure Of The King Of Clubs?

No. We recommend reading Adventure Of The King Of Clubs first. Poirot Investigates is the 3th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is Poirot Investigates required reading for the Hercule Poirot Mysteries?

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

What comes after Poirot Investigates in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Poirot Investigates is The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd (Book #4).