The Mysterious Affair at Styles

The first book to feature Agatha Christie's renownedly quirky Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, was also her first novel.

Poirot, a Great War exile, has made his home in England next to Styles Court, the rich philanthropist Emily Inglethorp's rural house. Poirot uses his extraordinary investigation abilities when Emily is poisoned and the authorities are at a loss for words. The victim's considerably younger husband, her bitter stepsons, her longstanding hired companion, a young family friend who works as a nurse, and a London poison expert who just so happens to be visiting the local hamlet are among the many suspects.

All of them are keen to keep their secrets to themselves, but none are able to beat Poirot as he works his way through the clever plot twists and red herrings that have earned Agatha Christie the title of "queen of mystery."