The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

That Agatha needs no endorsement from me is adequately clear. One of my favourite authors when I was growing up, Christie set the bar for mystery writers. The Queen of Mystery’s debut novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, introduces the famous detective Hercule Poirot in a locked room murder mystery at an English manor. Although published in 1920, Agatha’s writing is timeless and classic.

A myriad of clever clues, abundant twists, and intentional misguiding by the author and the detective, Poirot, lead to a surprising conclusion. Agatha’s knowledge of medicine and poisons, learned through her own experiences as a nurse and apothecary in WW1, come through in the plot. An excellent depiction of the times, the setting and characters’ actions bring the reader into the scenes. An affluent family, having invited a friend, Arthur Hastings, to stay with them during his convalescence after being discharged from duty, suffers the loss of their matriarch from strychnine poisoning. Enter Poirot to solve the case, which is complicated by no shortage of motives, and red herrings galore.

A puzzling case for the reader to solve alongside Poirot, this first novel offers all the hallmarks of a great mystery. Clues cleverly planted, questionable suspects, an engaging sleuth, and a final twist at the end make for an engaging read. 

If you enjoy historical mysteries, put this wartime murder story on your TBR list. For readers and writers of mystery, Agatha Christie is the definitive go-to for an old-fashioned poisoning. It’s her signature device for murder, and results in a cerebral whodunit perfect for fans of puzzles.