The man in the brown suit

Michael Pearce's Mamur Zapt is a Welshman in pre-World War I Egypt. Like Agatha Christie's "outsider" sleuths, Zapt's differences lead him to clues in his political investigations. Pearce evokes Christie's more exotic settings, capturing the sights and sounds of early twentieth-century Egypt. Sexual content is present, but violence remains muted. -- Kim Burton

Ngaio Marsh's fans may enjoy Agatha Christie whose detective stories also belong to the Golden Age. Marsh writes procedurals that are free of on-stage gore, violence, and nerve-wracking suspense, while the plots present satisfying intellectual puzzles. -- Katherine Johnson

Louise Penny brings a contemporary vibe to well-crafted mysteries that -- with an intelligent but intuitive detective, well-established scenes, and large casts -- are reminiscent of Agatha Christie's classic mysteries. Penny's characters, however, are often more fleshed out. -- Shauna Griffin

M.C. Beaton is often compared to Agatha Christie both for her traditional, puzzle-based plots and her quintessentially British settings, and so Christie, the "Queen of Crime," is an excellent read-alike choice. -- NoveList Advisor

Both Sujata Massey and Agatha Christie write compelling mysteries, often investigated by detectives or protagonists with a unique insight into crime. Both authors write clever mystery plots with richly detailed settings, and Massey's historical settings feel contemporaneous with some of Christie's most beloved work. -- Tirzah Price

Both Agatha Christie and Anthony Bidulka write intricately plotted mysteries that star sharp-eyed sleuths who frequently put themselves in danger as they work to uncover the truth. Bidulka's work is funnier than Christie's more serious writing. -- Stephen Ashley

Carolyn G. Hart has created an updated version of Agatha Christie's American Miss Marple in the character of Henrietta O'Dwyer Collins, or Henrie O, as she is known in the series. Hart offers a combination of charm, homespun wisdom, and quirky crimes that Christie's readers may enjoy. -- Kim Burton

Setting their traditional mysteries in charming villages that wouldn't be complete without eccentrics and strong personalities, these two authors have created amateur investigators determined to bring justice to their corners of the world. G.M. Malliet, however, adds a contemporary vibe compared to Agatha Christie. -- Shauna Griffin

Expect intricately written mysteries and explorations of tight-knit communities in books by both Agatha Christie and Naomi Hirahara. Both authors have written cozy mystery series starring beloved detectives and more sinister standalone titles; all are atmospheric and engaging. Hirahara's work often has intriguing connections to World War II. -- Tirzah Price

While Kellye Garrett has a snarky sensibility unlike Agatha Christie's more serious fare, both create twisty mysteries that will appeal to fans of intricately constructed plots and compelling writing. -- Stephen Ashley

Readers who enjoy Agatha Christie's occasional vignettes of high society and her eccentric protagonists may also enjoy Margery Allingham. Her oddball sleuth, Albert Campion, solves crimes among England's upper-crust manor houses and elegant parties. Allingham's careful plots, memorable characters, and increasingly dark tone in later works are reminiscent of Christie. -- Kim Burton

Though Agatha Christie's more disturbing plot points happen "off-screen" and Keigo Higashino includes those elements more explicitly, both authors write intricately plotted mysteries that deeply explore the psychological states of their characters. -- Stephen Ashley