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Quizzes > Books & Literature

Agatha Christie quiz: How well do you know Poirot and Miss Marple?

Quick, free Hercule Poirot quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Scott WessellUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art detective with magnifying glass and question mark on dark blue background for Agatha Christie trivia quiz

This quiz helps you test your Agatha Christie knowledge, from Poirot puzzles to Miss Marple twists. See how many clues you catch, learn a tidbit or two, and get your score at once. For more book challenges, try a literature quiz, explore a Jane Austen quiz, or dive into a Pride and Prejudice quiz.

Who is the author of "Murder on the Orient Express"?
Wilkie Collins
Agatha Christie
Dorothy L. Sayers
Arthur Conan Doyle
Agatha Christie wrote the detective novel "Murder on the Orient Express", first published in 1934. It is one of her most famous works featuring Hercule Poirot. The story has been adapted multiple times for film and television.
Which detective features in "The Mysterious Affair at Styles"?
Inspector Japp
Miss Marple
Tommy Beresford
Hercule Poirot
Hercule Poirot makes his debut in Christie's first published novel, "The Mysterious Affair at Styles" (1920). He is the Belgian detective who became her signature sleuth. The novel established his methodical approach and famous 'little grey cells'.
Which of these is NOT a character created by Agatha Christie?
Miss Marple
Hercule Poirot
Sherlock Holmes
Tommy and Tuppence
Sherlock Holmes was created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, not Agatha Christie. Christie created detectives such as Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, and the duo Tommy and Tuppence. Holmes remains one of the most famous detectives in literature but is not part of Christie's canon.
What is the primary setting of Christie's novel "Death on the Nile"?
A steamer on the Nile River
A Greek island
A London hotel
A train journey
"Death on the Nile" is set aboard a luxurious steamer cruising the Nile River. The novel was first published in 1937 and features Hercule Poirot investigating a murder mid-voyage. Its exotic Egyptian backdrop has been celebrated in several adaptations.
Which novel introduced the character Miss Marple?
The Murder at the Vicarage
A Murder Is Announced
A Pocket Full of Rye
Sleeping Murder
Miss Marple first appears in "The Murder at the Vicarage" (1930). She is depicted as an astute elderly spinster living in St. Mary Mead. Christie wrote several subsequent novels and stories featuring her as the amateur sleuth.
Under what pen name did Agatha Christie write romance novels?
Mary Westmoreland
Mary Stuart
Anne Westmacott
Mary Westmacott
Agatha Christie published six romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott between 1930 and 1958. These works differ in style and focus from her detective fiction. The use of a pen name allowed her to explore psychological themes freely.
In what year was "The Mysterious Affair at Styles" first published?
1920
1925
1930
1914
"The Mysterious Affair at Styles", Agatha Christie's debut novel, was published in 1920. It introduced Hercule Poirot to readers worldwide. The work laid the foundation for her long and successful career in crime fiction.
Agatha Christie famously disappeared for several days in 1926. True or False?
True
False
In December 1926, Christie disappeared for eleven days, sparking national speculation and headlines. She was eventually found at a hotel under an assumed name, the circumstances of which remain partially mysterious. The incident has been the subject of much literary and biographical analysis.
In which novel does Hercule Poirot investigate a murder on a train?
Death on the Nile
Evil Under the Sun
Murder on the Orient Express
The ABC Murders
In "Murder on the Orient Express" (1934), Poirot is traveling on the famous train when a passenger is found dead. He must identify the killer among a carriage full of suspects. The closed-circle format is one of Christie's most celebrated plotting techniques.
In "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd", who is ultimately revealed as the murderer?
Hercule Poirot
Dr. James Sheppard
Caroline Sheppard
Inspector Japp
Dr. James Sheppard, the narrator of the story, is shockingly revealed to be the murderer in "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" (1926). Christie used this twist to challenge the conventions of detective fiction. The novel remains controversial and influential for breaking the 'unreliable narrator' taboo.
What is the full name of Captain Hastings' wife?
Dulcie Duveen
Margaret Kent
Elizabeth Murdoch
Lucy Eyelesbarrow
Captain Arthur Hastings marries Dulcie Duveen in the later Poirot novels. Dulcie first appears in "Curtain: Poirot's Last Case" and then becomes a recurring character in Hastings's personal life. Their marriage is mentioned in subsequent works.
Which Poirot novel was written during WWII but published posthumously?
Curtain
N or M?
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
Spider's Web
"Curtain: Poirot's Last Case" was penned in the early 1940s but withheld from publication until 1975, after Christie's death. It brings Poirot back to Styles Court for his final adventure. The novel was intended to conclude Poirot's career.
In "And Then There Were None", guests are summoned to which island?
Utopia Island
Indian House
Eclipse Island
Soldier Island
Ten guests are lured to Soldier Island (originally named Indian Island in U.S. editions) in the novel "And Then There Were None" (1939). They arrive to find their host missing and a gramophone recording accusing each of past crimes. The remote island setting creates the perfect locked-room atmosphere.
What is Ariadne Oliver's profession in Christie's novels?
Mystery novelist
Police detective
Psychologist
Journalist
Ariadne Oliver is a fictional mystery novelist who appears in several Poirot books. She is often seen as Christie's playful self-portrait, complete with eccentricities and a fondness for apples. Oliver assists Poirot and provides comic relief.
Which Agatha Christie collection features the character Mr. Quin?
Endless Night
The Mysterious Mr. Quin
They Came to Baghdad
Destination Unknown
"The Mysterious Mr. Quin" (1930) is a short-story collection featuring the enigmatic Harley Quin. He appears to spark events that Inspector Satterthwaite investigates. The character blends supernatural overtones with detective fiction.
From which country does Hercule Poirot originate?
France
Netherlands
Belgium
Switzerland
Hercule Poirot is Belgian, having fled to England as a refugee during World War I. Christie frequently references his Belgian heritage and accent. His nationality is part of his charm and distinct persona.
In "The Pale Horse", what toxic element is central to the plot?
Cyanide
Thallium
Arsenic
Mercury
Thallium poisoning is at the heart of "The Pale Horse" (1961). Christie's villainous 'witches' use it to mimic natural deaths. The novel examines superstition versus scientific detection.
Who is revealed as the murderer in "Five Little Pigs"?
Caroline Crale
Elsa Greer
Jane Marple
Philip Blake
In "Five Little Pigs" (1942), Caroline Crale is proven guilty of poisoning her husband. Poirot reconstructs the events from different viewpoints. The title references the nursery rhyme that structures the chapters.
"Dead Man's Folly" is primarily set at which estate?
Chimneys
Gallow's Lodge
Nasse House
Styles Court
"Dead Man's Folly" (1956) takes place at Nasse House, where a mock 'murder hunt' becomes a real crime scene. Poirot is invited by Ariadne Oliver to ensure the event's safety. The setting plays a crucial role in the plot's development.
In "Sparkling Cyanide", how does death occur?
Strangulation
Poisoned champagne
Drowning
Overdose of sleeping pills
"Sparkling Cyanide" (1945) centers on a woman who dies after drinking champagne laced with cyanide. Poirot investigates two years after the suspicious death. The title directly alludes to the method.
Who is the victim in "Appointment with Death" that also acts as the antagonist?
Mrs. Pitt
Lady Westholme
Countess Renata
Mrs. Boynton
In "Appointment with Death" (1938), Mrs. Boynton is both the central victim and the oppressive matriarch whose death frees her family. Poirot uncovers psychological motives behind her murder during an archaeological dig in the Middle East. The novel explores tyranny and liberation.
What is the name of the detective agency formed by Tommy and Tuppence?
Young Adventurers Ltd
Christie's Sleuths
T&T Investigations
London Detectives Inc
Tommy and Tuppence create 'Young Adventurers Ltd' in their first case, "The Secret Adversary" (1922). They handle missing persons and espionage assignments. Their partnership evolves across several novels.
Which Christie novel introduces Colonel Race as a key character?
Hickory Dickory Death
Endless Night
The Man in the Brown Suit
Murder on the Orient Express
Colonel Race makes his first appearance in "The Man in the Brown Suit" (1924). He later recurs in novels like "Cards on the Table" and "Death on the Nile". Race serves as an ally to Poirot and other protagonists.
In "Ordeal by Innocence", what evidence ultimately clears Jacko Argyle?
Letter in desk
Missing locket
Broken knife handle
Footprint in mud
Dr. Arthur Calgary examines the murder scene and finds a broken knife handle that Jacko Argyle could not have produced. This detail proves Jacko's innocence in the murder of his mother. The clue overturns years of wrongful conviction.
What is the title of the final short story featuring Hercule Poirot?
The Capture of Cerberus
The Adventure of the Clapham Cook
The Harlequin Tea Set
The Chocolate Box
"The Capture of Cerberus" (1970) is the last published short story featuring Poirot. It was released posthumously in the collection "Hercule Poirot's Christmas" in some editions. The story carries his final recorded adventure.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze Hercule Poirot's investigative methods -

    Explore the distinctive traits and logical approaches that make Poirot mysteries uniquely engaging, preparing you for hercule poirot trivia challenges.

  2. Dissect Miss Marple's sleuthing style -

    Uncover how Miss Marple's intuition and village insights drive classic plots, enhancing your performance in a miss marple quiz.

  3. Identify classic whodunit story patterns -

    Recognize recurring narrative devices and twists across Agatha Christie's novels to sharpen your eye for mystery structures.

  4. Reinforce your Agatha Christie trivia knowledge -

    Cement key facts and memorable moments from Christie's works through an interactive agatha christie trivia quiz.

  5. Apply deductive reasoning like a detective -

    Practice logical analysis and clue interpretation to solve quiz scenarios with the precision of a seasoned sleuth.

  6. Evaluate your mystery mastery level -

    Assess your score and identify areas for improvement, turning feedback into a roadmap for further agatha christie quiz success.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Agatha Christie's Life and Literary Legacy -

    Review Christie's biography using sources like the British Library and Oxford University Press to note her 66 detective novels and over 150 short stories. Use the mnemonic "66-150-R" (66 novels, 150 stories, Record sales exceeding two billion copies) to cement these figures. Mastering her career milestones is a great foundation for agatha christie trivia.

  2. Hercule Poirot's Deductive Methods -

    Study Poirot's famous "little grey cells" approach as described in Cambridge's Detective Fiction Studies journal, which emphasizes psychological insight over physical clues. Picture a brain of tiny grey marbles to recall his method whenever you face hercule poirot trivia. This visual trick helps you explain why Poirot trusts intellect above all.

  3. Miss Marple's Village-Based Sleuthing -

    Explore Miss Marple's reliance on social observation from resources at the University of Reading and the Agatha Christie Centre, where she draws analogies between village gossip and crime patterns. Remember the phrase "St. Mary Mead Map" to track her network-based insights. This strategy makes any miss marple quiz feel like home turf.

  4. Signature Plot Devices: Closed Circle and Red Herrings -

    Dive into classic mystery trivia concepts by examining Christie's use of the "closed circle" setting and strategic red herrings, as detailed in Oxford Academic articles. Memorize the acronym "CRR" (Closed circle, Red herring, Reveal) to outline her typical structure in three steps. Recognizing these devices instantly raises your quiz scores.

  5. Chronology of Key Works and Publication Timeline -

    Chart major novels - Murder on the Orient Express (1934), And Then There Were None (1939), Endless Night (1967) - with data from the Christie Archive Trust. Use the mnemonic "OAE" (Orient, And Then, Endless) to recall the order and years. This timeline mastery is perfect for any agatha christie quiz challenge.

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