The Mysterious Affair at Styles Paperback - 2026
by Agatha Christie
About this book
Written in 1916, during World War I, The Mysterious Affair at Styles is Agatha Christie´s first published novel. The story introduces the author´s world-famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, as well as Lieutenant (later Captain) Hastings and Inspector (later Chief Inspector) Japp. The mystery begins with Poirot settling in England near the home of Emily Inglethorp. When Emily is killed, Poirot must apply his detective skills to solve the mystery based on a few seemingly random clues. The book includes maps of the house, the murder scene, and a drawing of a fragment of a will.
Reader reviews for The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Review summary
Readers largely regard The Mysterious Affair at Styles as a solid, if uneven, debut and an effective introduction to Hercule Poirot. The puzzle, poison plot, and late-game reveal drew praise, while some found the story overstuffed with red herrings and the pacing occasionally sluggish. Hastings, the narrator, divided opinion—often labeled obtuse or irritating—though Poirot himself was widely appreciated. A number of reviewers noted dated language and casual antisemitism. Audiobook performances, particularly Hugh Fraser and full-cast adaptations, were highly rated and often enhanced enjoyment. Many intend to continue the series, with some suggesting later Poirot novels are stronger.
Readers say this book is:
classic whodunnittwistyclever revealengagingconvolutedslow in partspolarizing narratordated languagecasual bigotry notedexcellent audiobookWrite a review for this book
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From the publisher
First edition identification
After having been rejected by six publishers, John Lane (US) produced the story in novel form for the first time in October 1920. (The Mysterious Affair at Styles had previously been serialized in the UK´s The Times in February of that year.) The first edition of the novel has a hardcover with 296 pages. Beneath the dustjacket illustrated by Alfred James Dewey, the book is covered in pale brown cloth with dark green lettering on the upper cover and spine.
Details
- Title The Mysterious Affair at Styles
- Author Agatha Christie
- Binding Paperback
- Pages 288
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
- Publication date 2026-06-01
- ISBN 9780062984630 / 0062984632
- Weight 0.5 lbs (0.23 kg)
- Dimensions 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.8 in (20.07 x 13.46 x 2.03 cm)
- Reading level 770
-
Themes
- Cultural Region: British
- Sex & Gender: Feminine
- Topical: New Age
- Category Children's Books/All Ages
- Library of Congress subjects Murder, Private investigators - England
- Dewey Decimal Code FIC
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Mysterious Affair At Styles, The
by Christie, Agatha
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The Mysterious Affair at Styles: The First Hercule Poirot Mystery
by Christie, Agatha
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The Mysterious Affair at Styles: The First Hercule Poirot Mystery (Hercule Poirot Mysteries)
by Christie, Agatha
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The Mysterious Affair at Styles: The First Hercule Poirot Mystery (Hercule Poirot Mysteries)
by Christie, Agatha
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The Mysterious Affair at Styles: The First Hercule Poirot Mystery: The Official Authorized Edition: A classic locked-room mystery from renowned author ... fiction. (Hercule Poirot Mysteries, 1)
by Christie, Agatha
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The Mysterious Affair at Styles : The First Hercule Poirot Mystery: the Official Authorized Edition
by Christie, Agatha
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The Mysterious Affair at Styles : The First Hercule Poirot Mystery: the Official Authorized Edition
by Christie, Agatha
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- 9780062984630 / 0062984632
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The Mysterious Affair at Styles: The First Hercule Poirot Mystery: The Official Authorized Edition (Hercule Poirot Mysteries, 1)
by Christie, Agatha
- Used
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The Mysterious Affair at Styles: The First Hercule Poirot Mystery: The Official Authorized Edition: A classic locked-room mystery from renowned author ... fiction. (Hercule Poirot Mysteries, 1)
by Christie, Agatha
- New
- Paperback
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- New
- Edition
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- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780062984630 / 0062984632
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The Mysterious Affair at Styles: The First Hercule Poirot Mystery: The Official Authorized Edition?A Classic Locked-Room Mystery from Renowned Author ... Fans of Cozy Mystery and Detective Fiction
by Christie, Agatha
- Used
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- Paperback
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