The book includes maps of the house, the murder scene, and a drawing of a fragment of a will, as well as a number of red herrings and surprise plot twists. There are a half-dozen suspects, most of whom are hiding facts about themselves. It is set in a large, isolated country manor.

The story is told in first person by Hastings and features many of the elements that have become icons of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, largely due to Christie's influence. Styles was Christie's first published novel, introducing Hercule Poirot, Inspector (later, Chief Inspector) Japp, and Lieutenant Hastings (later, Captain). edition retailed at US $2.00 and the UK edition at seven shillings and sixpence (7/6). It was then published in book form by John Lane in the United States in October 1920 and in the United Kingdom by The Bodley Head (John Lane's UK company) on 21 January 1921. After being rejected by some six publishers, it was finally accepted by John Lane who had it serialised in the Times Weekly Edition in February 1920. The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a detective novel written by Agatha Christie in 1916 during the time she was serving as a VAD dispenser at the Torbay Infirmary and Dispensary. Great care was taken with the supporting cast in which Michael Cronin stands out as the somewhat shifty looking Albert Ingelthorpe.Dustjacket illustration of the first edition in both the US and the UK The period detail of World War One was superbly depicted in this film (just look at those automobiles!) Ross Devenish directed the film with care and style while David Suchet, Hugh Fraser and Philip Jackson offered their usual excellent performances. This film was made to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Christie's birth in 1890 which fell in 1990. 'The Mysterious Affair At Styles' (1920) was Agatha Christie's first novel and it also introduced her most famous creation to the world, the eccentric little Belgian detective with the egg-shaped head and eccentric mannerisms. In the neighbouring village of Styles St Mary, a number of Belgian refugees have taken up residence including Hastings' old friend Hercule Poirot (David Suchet), the eccentric but clever sleuth who is called in to investigate the murder. That night Emily dies a painful death and the subsequent autopsy reveals that she has been poisoned.

Cavendish's mother Emily Ingelthorpe (Gillian Barge) has married Albert Ingelthorpe (Michael Cronin) a man twenty years younger than her, and the family believes that he can only be after one thing - her money. His old friend John Cavendish (David Rintoul) invites him to stay at the Cavendish country estate, Styles Court, where there's tension in the family.

World War One 1917: Lieutenant Hastings (Hugh Fraser) is on sick leave from the army after being wounded in France.

The mysterious affair at styles