Christie was born Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller on September 15, 1890, in Torquay, Devon, in the southwest part of England. Her upbringing as the youngest sibling and her education at home fostered a creative imagination and love for character-creation. Christie’s literary career commenced with the publication of her first book, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, in 1920; the story introduced readers to one of Christie’s most iconic characters— detective Hercule Poirot.

“Ten little Indian boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were nine.
Nine little Indian boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were eight.
Eight little Indian boys travelling in Devon; One said he'd stay there and then there were seven.
Seven little Indian boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in halves and then there were six.
Six little Indian boys playing with a hive; A bumblebee stung one and then there were five.
Five little Indian boys going in for law; One got in Chancery and then there were four.
Four little Indian boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.
Three little Indian boys walking in the Zoo; A big bear hugged one and then there were two.
Two little Indian boys sitting in the sun; One got frizzled up and then there was one.
One little Indian boy left all alone; He went and hanged himself and then there were none.”
― Agatha Christie, And Then There Were None

Intriguing though all her novels are, the most notable out of them all is perhaps her top-selling murder mystery And Then There Were None. This gripping narrative unfolds the chilling fate of ten seemingly unconnected people, each of whom harboring an unspeakable and terrible secret in their hearts. After they are mysteriously invited to Soldier Island, they begin to die one by one. One thing becomes clear: there is clearly a killer among these ten people. The novel revolves around an ominous nursery rhyme, Ten Little Indians, which foreshadows the dire fate of these ten people. Throughout this story, Christie continuously induces the reader into guessing and conjecturing, but at the point when one feels certain who the murderer is, craftily turns the plot in another direction. Each twist sends chills to readers’ spines rendering them speechless with awe. Provocative, highly engaging, and meticulously crafted, Christie’s narration, truly unparalleled, will take one on a thrilling spiritual journey.
 

Agatha Christie’s iconic characters and intricate plots have inspired countless future authors and filmmakers. So classic are her plots that one can find the shadow of her voice behind the stories of many contemporary detective novels.