Mystery · Detective fiction · Classics
The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Captain Hastings, invalided home from the First World War, stays at a country house where the wealthy mistress is poisoned. Belgian refugee Hercule Poirot, in his first appearance, investigates.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 1920
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 206
- Format
- Book 1 of 48 in Hercule Poirot
Read this if you enjoy classic English country-house puzzles and want to meet Poirot at the start.
Skip this if you want modern pacing or a darker, more psychological crime novel.
The feel
Content warnings
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Quick answers about The Mysterious Affair at Styles
- What is The Mysterious Affair at Styles about?
- Captain Hastings, invalided home from the First World War, stays at a country house where the wealthy mistress is poisoned. Belgian refugee Hercule Poirot, in his first appearance, investigates.
- Who should read The Mysterious Affair at Styles?
- Read it if you enjoy classic English country-house puzzles and want to meet Poirot at the start. Skip it if you want modern pacing or a darker, more psychological crime novel.
- How long and how fast is The Mysterious Affair at Styles?
- It is a medium-paced, short read of about 206 pages, first published in 1920.
- Does The Mysterious Affair at Styles have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Death.
- Can I borrow The Mysterious Affair at Styles for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Mysterious Affair at Styles; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
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| Ebook | ||
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