The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie is a masterful whodunit filled with clever misdirection, charming characters, and a satisfying conclusion, all told through the engaging yet slightly naive eyes of Hastings.

It's a brilliantly plotted mystery filled with red herrings, complex relationships, and Christie’s signature twists. Experiencing the story through Hastings' first-person perspective adds a refreshing intimacy, allowing readers to feel his confusion and admiration for Poirot’s towering intellect. Though the writing style occasionally feels cumbersome, the richly developed characters and perfectly tied-up ending more than make up for it. Even if you know the story from the Poirot tv show, the novel’s unique insights and layered emotions make it an essential read for any mystery lover.