Hercule Poirot Series / The Mysterious Affair at Styles / Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie’s debut novel was also the first to feature Hercule Poirot, her famous eccentric Belgian detective.

A refugee from the First World War, Poirot has settled in England near Styles Court, the country estate of his wealthy patroness, the elderly Emily Inglethorp. When Emily is poisoned and the authorities are baffled, Poirot puts his prodigious detective skills to work. Suspects abound, including the victim’s much younger husband, her resentful stepsons, her long-time partner, a young family friend who works as a nurse, and a London poison specialist who happens to be in the nearby village.

They all have secrets they are desperate to keep to themselves, but no one can outwit Poirot as he susses out the clever red herrings and plot twists.