The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Summary

The first book in Agatha Christie's famous detective series introduces us to the incredible Hercule Poirot. Known today as one literature's greatest detectives, this book is Poirot's very first foray onto the written page.

In this twisty tale, we are introduced to Arhur Hastings, a military man on leave from World War I, who is invited to spend some time at his friend John Cavendish' estate. However, all is not well at Styles Manor. Cavendish' stepmother, Emily, has recently remarried to a much younger man, Alfred, and the entire estate is on edge with suspicion about Alfred's intentions. When the worst happens and Emily dies under suspicious and seemingly impossible circumstances, Hastings immediately reaches out to his old friend, esteemed detective Hercule Poirot, for assistance on the case.

With his impeccable attention to detail, clever wit, and keen understanding of the world around him, Poirot embarks on the first of his many iconic cases.