This was still a highly entertaining read with a clever, distinct plot and showcased that Christie had such a grasp of her trademark style and tone that she – in fact – deviated little from it as it appears here as she continued to write her classics. I mean, she set her own bar exceedingly high. The actual story was perhaps not as sharp and concise as some of the works she went on to produce, but that’s really not a criticism. Christie had his quirks and charm locked down even at this early stage. And I have to say, Poirot’s much-loved and unique character jumps out from the page. He is shown kindness by wealthy local resident Emily Inglethorpe, so when she is found dead in mysterious circumstances – with seven potential killers in the mix – he puts his little grey cells to good use and finds out what really happened.įamed for being Poirot’s first case, but not always touted as one of her ‘must-read’ novels, The Mysterious Affair at Styles is really such an accomplished detective story for an author’s debut.

Set in 1917, it is narrated by Captain Hastings and sees Poirot, the iconic detective, living in a small Essex village – Styles – having left his native Belgium due to the war. The Mysterious Affair at Styles has its place in literature history as not only the first Hercule Poirot story, but as the first novel ever published by Agatha Christie.

Opening sentence: “The intense interest aroused in the public by what was known at the time as ‘The Styles Case’ has now somewhat subsided.’

The mysterious affair at styles book