The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a detective novel by Agatha Christie, first published in 1920, starring the renowned detective, Hercule Poirot. While trying to fill his sick days as a guest in his friend's house in Styles Court, Arthur Hastings was involved in a mysterious death of his friend's step-mother. She was poisoned by someone in her house. All evidences discovered pointed to different suspects and it is up to Poirot's hand to find the real culprit behind this tragedy.

I think this is the first time I truly realized the writer's talent for writing a romance. Also one of the few cases where I'm interested more in a book's side plot, rather than its main one. I would be lying if I say that only this writer's book has a good romance. Agatha Christie's books are always bloody romantic. But I started to appreciate it more now. They're succulent and very old-fashioned (in a good way). The women are especially written very well in the writer's books, including this one.

And, by the way, the main plot doesn't disappoint as well. It's Poirotesque in all its glory. Clever remarks. Unorthodox methods. Clueless companion. Multiple clues and misdirections assembled in one big revelation before the curtain finally closes for good. Definitely a good reading for detective story fans.