Agatha Christie 
The Mysterious Affair at Styles 

The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a detective novel that was written by Agatha Christie in 1916 and first published in 1920 to rave reviews. It introduces her famous detective Hercule Poirot, a Belgian refugee of the Great War, who settles in England near the home of his wealthy, recently widowed friend Emily Inglethorp. When the widow is found murdered via the administering of poison, Poirot uses his detective skills to solve the mystery. Featuring multiple red herrings and surprise twists, the book ushered in what is known as The Golden Age of Detective Fiction.

About the author

Agatha Christie (1890-1976) was an English crime novelist, short-story writer, and playwright. She is best known for her sixty-six detective novels and fourteen short-story collections, particularly those revolving around her fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world’s longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, and six romances under the name Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was elevated to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her contribution to literature.