Agatha Christie’s Poirot and Miss Marple join Mr Men and Little Miss universe

Dame Agatha Christie's detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple have joined the world of the Mr Men and Little Miss series.

The first two titles, which draw inspiration from two of the celebrated author’s classic novels, are "Mr Poirot: Mischief on the Nile" and "Little Miss Marple: Muddle at the Vicarage".

Both “Death” and “Murder” from the original titles would have been a bit too intense for younger readers, who can get their hands on the two new Mr Men and Little Miss versions as of today.

Two further instalments are slated for release in February 2026.

The whimsical partnership is part of Agatha Christie Limited’s anniversary programme in 2026, marking 50 years since the author’s death and a century since "The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd" was published.

The English writer (1890 – 1976) wrote 66 detective novels and remains the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold between two and four billion copies worldwide. Only William Shakespeare tops her, and Christie features in the Top 5 list of best-selling individual books, with “And Then There Were None” (1939) selling approximately 100 million copies.

Poirot is Christie’s most famous and longest-running character, appearing in 33 of her novels and 51 short stories, while Christie wrote 12 novels and 20 short stories featuring Miss Marple. Both have been portrayed many times on screen and stage, most famously by Peter Ustinov, David Suchet and Kenneth Branagh for the wax-moustached sleuth, and Gracie Fields, Angela Lansbury and Joan Hickson for the consulting detective from St Mary Mead.

Originally created by cartoonist Roger Hargreaves in 1971, the Mr Men and Little Miss series has sold over 200 million copies worldwide.

The series has been continued by his son, Adam, who took over the family business in 1988 following his father’s death.

Adam Hargreaves said: “I have had the privilege from 1988 to continue to draw and write for the series. It has been a real pleasure and an intriguing challenge to bring together the timeless mysteries of Agatha Christie with the playful world of the Mr Men and Little Miss. Agatha Christie’s iconic stories now have a new twist that neither she nor my father might have imagined.”

James Prichard, chief executive and chairman of Agatha Christie Limited (and Christie’s great grandson), said: “As a lifelong fan of the Mr Men and Little Miss books, it has always been a wish of mine to put our beloved detectives, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, into their universe. These clever and very funny reimaginings of my great grandmother’s stories, which include some of my favourite characters (in rather suspicious circumstances!), are bound to delight fans of both authors.”

He added: “This is absolutely a dream collaboration.”

The launch of the two new Mr Men and Little Miss books includes The Great Little Mystery Book Hunt, a free city-wide book hunt, with hundreds of copies of the new stories hidden across the streets of London and Manchester for book lovers to find.

"Mr Poirot: Mischief on the Nile" and "Little Miss Marple: Muddle at the Vicarage" are out now. The Great Little Mystery Book Hunt takes place from 27 October.