The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie - 1921

ont> The Bodley Head : London, 1921 Book. Very Good. Hardcover. First edition.. A smart first edition of the first novel by the queen of Crime Fiction, Agatha Christie. Not only is this Christie's first novel, but it is the first appearance of her much loved Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. Christie wrote this novel in the middle of the First World War, in 1916 and was inspired by the Belgian soldiers she tended to during the First World War, and the Belgian refugees she saw in Torquay. In addition to this her knowledge was improved by the poisons she encountered whilst working for the Voluntary Aid Detachment during the war. This was its first publication in the United Kingdom on 21 January 1921. Prior to this, the manuscript was rejected by Hodder and Stoughton in addition to Methuen. A very bright copy of this first edition,first impression. A very scarce work. 'The Mysterious Affair at Styles' introduces Poirot, Inspector Japp and Arthur Hastings. Poirot is a refugee of the Great War and is settling into his new life. The story is told in first person by Hastings. With the image of a fragment of the will to page 67, a map of the house to page 42, a plan of Mrs Inglethorp's Bedroom to page 50, A facsimile of a document to page 83. Printed on cheap, poor quality paper and in a thin cloth binding. Therefore, copies in such a lovely condition is uncommon. Upon initial publication, this work received enthusiastic reviews, with 'The Times Literary Supplement' stating 'The only fault this story has is that it is almost too ingenious'. This novel marks the start of an illustrious crime fiction career for Agatha Christie, who was one of the leading authors during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. She became an icon in this genre, with sixty-six novels under her belt. A smart copy of this important work. Condition: In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, smart. Professionally rebacked, with the original cloth laid down to the spine and boards preserved. With replaced endpapers. Externally, very smart with light rubbing to the extremities. Front endpaper with a closed tear. Internally, firmly bound. Professional repair to page 75. Prior owner's monogram stamp to the rear endpaper, and to the rear pastedown. Prior owner's stamp has been washed from the final leaf. Pages are bright. Occasional light spots to pages. Overall Condition: Very Good.