The Story

We're at Styles Court, a grand English country house, during World War I. Our narrator, Captain Hastings, is visiting his friend John Cavendish. John's stepmother, the formidable Emily Inglethorp, is found dead in her locked bedroom, clearly poisoned. The suspects are all under the same roof: her much younger new husband (who everyone dislikes), her two stepsons, John and Lawrence, John's unhappy wife, and a family friend. Just when things look impossible, Hastings remembers his acquaintance, a retired Belgian detective named Hercule Poirot, who's living nearby as a refugee. Poirot arrives, with his brilliant mind and perfect mustache, to sift through the lies, hidden passions, and a trail of very clever clues.

Why You Should Read It

It's fascinating to see Christie laying the foundation for everything to come. Poirot is fully formed here—vain, brilliant, and utterly charming. You get the classic Christie ingredients: the closed circle of suspects, the detailed floor plan in the book, the red herrings, and a solution that makes you kick yourself for not seeing it. Reading this first book feels like being in on a secret origin story. You watch the pieces click into place for the very first time, and it's just plain fun to try and beat Poirot to the answer (you almost certainly won't).

Final Verdict

This book is a must for any mystery fan who wants to start at the beginning. It's also perfect for someone new to Christie who wants a straightforward, clever puzzle. If you love classic whodunits with a brilliant detective, a country house setting, and a satisfying 'aha!' moment, this is your book. Don't expect gritty realism—expect a brilliantly constructed game, and one of the best to ever play it.