Agatha Christie wrote an astounding 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections. It is 50 years since she died but her books and stories are as popular as ever.

In an era when the news can be overwhelmingly negative Agatha Christie provides some brief escapism into the Christie fictional world of crime and detectives.

The Agatha Christie website has an abundance of all things related to this great writer including the Read Christie Challenge. Orkney Library has a small display featuring her works and here at The Orkney News we decided to take up the challenge.

The Read Christie Challenge 2026 has picked a selection of books. The reading challenge theme is ‘Biggest, Best, Beloved’ and include her most influential books. If you sign up there’s a reading list to follow.

Having read, listened to audio versions, and watched many TV and film adaptations, I know the stories well, however, for my challenge I am setting myself the joy of reading the ones I have not read before, starting with ‘Parker Pyne Investigations.’

Its a collection of short stories and an escape from the madness of 2026.

Fiona Grahame