13 Successful First Novels by Female Writers

Agatha Christie first introduces us to her most famous characters Hercule Poirot, Inspector Japp, and Lieutenant Hastings in her debut detective novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles. Published in 1920, it was the book that would kick-start Agatha Christie's successful literary career as one of the bestselling novelists of all time, having sold more than four billion copies of her novels alone. She wrote 66 detective novels and more than 15 short story collections, many of which became movies, TV shows, video games, and more.