Hercule Poirot Vol 2 by Agatha Christie [Paperback]

"Bivha Hercule Poirot" – Volume 2 brings to you The Mysterious Affair at Styles, the debut novel of the Queen of Mystery, Agatha Christie. This novel holds a distinguished place in the world of detective fiction.

Why?

Because this is where Hercule Poirot first introduced himself to readers. This novel also marks the debut of several key characters—Poirot’s loyal companion and storyteller, Captain Hastings, as well as Scotland Yard’s Detective Inspector Japp.

During World War I, Agatha Christie worked as a nurse. Her experiences during this time lent the novel a unique sense of realism. It was also during this period that she encountered injured Belgian refugees and soldiers, which inspired the creation of Hercule Poirot.

Christie wrote most of the novel in 1916 while staying in Dartmoor. Later, The Mysterious Affair at Styles was serialized in The Times from February 27 to June 25, 1920. However, when she first submitted the manuscript for publication, several publishers rejected it. Finally, John Lane published the novel in the United States in October 1920, followed by its UK release in January 1921.

Upon publication, the book was well-received, earning praise from both readers and critics. Some did express slight dissatisfaction with the abundance of clues and suspects, but even after over a century, the novel remains as fresh and captivating as ever.

Why has it endured?

1. As a mystery novel, it is unparalleled. It presents all the evidence to the reader in a way that encourages them to solve the crime alongside Poirot. The use of maps and logical deductions helped popularize the concept of "fair play" in detective fiction.
2. Christie’s characters feel strikingly real, blending virtues and flaws in a way that makes them entirely believable. Furthermore, the novel delves into the deeper mysteries of human relationships—beyond the courtroom, in the realm of the heart and mind—something rarely explored in detective fiction before.

The journey that began with this novel continued until 1975, producing 32 more Poirot novels, 2 plays, and 51 short stories (14 of which were included in the first volume of this series).

Now, we won’t keep you waiting any longer—Poirot and the Queen of Mystery are ready for you. Turn the pages—Styles awaits!