The Mysterious Affair at Styles

The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a detective novel by British writer Agatha Christie. It was written in the middle of the First World War in 1916 and first published by John Lane in the United States in October 1920 and in the United Kingdom by The Bodley Head (John Lanes UK company) on 21 January 1921. Styles was Christies first published novel. It introduced Hercule Poirot Inspector (later Chief Inspector) Japp and Arthur Hastings. Poirot a Belgian refugee of the Great War is settling in England near the home of Emily Inglethorp who helped him to his new life. His friend Hastings arrives as a guest at her home. When the woman is killed Poirot uses his detective skills to solve the mystery.