The Mysterious Affair at Styles

This first mystery novel by Agatha Christie. It introduced Hercule Poirot, Inspector, later Chief Inspector. 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. This is also the setting of Curtain, Poirot's last case. The book includes maps of the house, the murder scene, and a drawing of a fragment of a will. Agatha Christie's first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, was the result of a dare from her sister Madge who challenged her to write a story.