The Mysterious Affair at Styles
"The Mysterious Affair at Styles" is a detective novel by Agatha Christie, first published in 1920. It is notable for introducing one of her most famous characters, the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. The novel is a classic example of the "whodunit" genre and set the stage for Christie's prolific career in crime fiction.<br/><br/>The story is set during World War I at Styles Court, a manor house in the English countryside. The wealthy Emily Inglethorp, the matriarch of Styles, is found dead in her locked bedroom from what appears to be strychnine poisoning.<br/><br/>Arthur Hastings, present at Styles Court at the time of the murder, enlists the help of his friend Hercule Poirot to solve the case. Poirot uses his "little grey cells" to meticulously gather evidence, interview suspects, and piece together the mystery.<br/><br/>The investigation reveals various clues and red herrings, including a shattered coffee cup, a burned will, suspicious movements of the household members, and a complex web of relationships and motives. Poirot's keen observation and deductive reasoning uncover inconsistencies in the alibis and testimonies of the suspects.<br/><br/>Poirot stages a dramatic reveal, gathering all the suspects in one room. He meticulously reconstructs the crime, revealing that Alfred Inglethorp and Evelyn Howard conspired together to murder Emily. Alfred's suspicious behavior and Evelyn's feigned animosity towards him were part of an elaborate plan to divert suspicion. Poirot demonstrates how the poison was administered and how the seemingly unbreakable alibis were constructed.<br/>The novel concludes with the arrest of Alfred Inglethorp and Evelyn Howard, and Poirot is praised for his brilliant detective work. Hastings, impressed by Poirot's methods, reflects on the genius of his friend.<br/><br/>"The Mysterious Affair at Styles" established Agatha Christie as a master of the detective novel and introduced readers to Hercule Poirot, who would go on to become one of the most beloved and enduring characters in crime fiction. The novel's intricate plot, clever twists, and memorable characters continue to captivate readers, making it a classic of the genre.