The Mysterious Affair at Styles - Mini Mysteries by Marci Kay Monson Hardcover

About the Book

The Mysterious Affair at Styles is Agatha Christie's first detective novel (a cozy mystery--no violence or gore), and where she introduces her fictional detective Hercule Poirot. The story, set in England during World War I, is a true who-done-it full of mysterious characters and teasing clues. Monson's retelling of the original book captures the plot and distills it in a way that is fun for children, gently ushering them into the literary world of Christie's mysteries. Along with the story, there are activities, games, and puzzles throughout to help with children's engagement, and might just foster a few budding detectives.

Book Synopsis

This retelling of Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles is the first in a series of interactive picture book mysteries for children.

Silver, Galaxy of Imagination, Big Bang Notable Book List 2025

"Younger readers will adore the vivid illustrations and entertaining activities; older readers will be able to absorb the entertaining story while compiling clues....It may be a murder mystery, but it's a supremely cozy and stylish one, and an ideal introduction to the amazing Poirot."--Booklist

The Mysterious Affair at Styles is Agatha Christie's first detective novel (a cozy mystery--no violence or gore), and where she introduces her fictional detective Hercule Poirot. The story, set in England during World War I, is a true who-done-it full of mysterious characters and teasing clues. Monson's retelling of the original book captures the plot and distills it in a way that is fun for children, gently ushering them into the literary world of Christie's mysteries. Along with the story, there are activities, games, and puzzles throughout to help with children's engagement, and might just foster a few budding detectives.

There is also a glossary of terms and French words.

Review Quotes

Hercule Poirot, the famous Belgian detective, enthusiastically invites readers to help him solve his latest case in this darling Agatha Christie adaptation. Jaunty rhyming text introduces the prominent players via a glimpse of the titular Styles manor, with each character visible in a separate window. It's immediately established that the wealthy Emily Cavendish has been poisoned, and it's up to the supersleuth to sort out the suspects. The story speeds ahead with stops at the chemist, the grounds, and confused courtrooms, all eventually leading to a dramatic denouement. It's enormous fun, and though the overarching narrative remains intact, each spectacular spread also offers an extra enterprise: a hedge maze, a matching game, spot-its, and an ongoing mouse hunt. Younger readers will adore the vivid illustrations and entertaining activities; older readers will be able to absorb the entertaining story while compiling clues. A glossary, including some French vocabulary, rounds out the offerings. It may be a murder mystery, but it's a supremely cozy and stylish one, and an ideal introduction to the amazing Poirot.--Emily Graham "Booklist"

About the Author

Marci Kay Monson is an avid reader, crafter, and gardener. She received her BS in Technical Communications from Utah State University and a graduate certificate in publishing from the Denver Publishing Institute. She found a love for Agatha Christie when her book club read And Then There Were None and never looked back. She loves story, bright colors, and a little bit of (cozy and fictional) murder. Raised in Japan, England, and Germany, she now lives in Layton, Utah.

Greg Paprocki works full-time as an illustrator and book designer. He has illustrated several Curious George books, the Little Leonardo series, and the BabyLit alphabet board books including S Is for Santa, B Is for Boo, E Is for Easter, and C Is for Camping. Released summer 2023 in the alphabet series were G is for Gross and U is for Universe. Greg's Gibbs Smith titles have sold 820,000 copies. He lives in Omaha, Nebraska.