Belgian detective Hercule Poirot appears in 33 of Dame Agatha Christie’s 66 detective novels; he also appears in 51 Christie short stories, making him one of her most featured—and most famous—characters (“Hercule Poirot - Characters.” Agatha Christie). Poirot first appeared in Christie’s debut work, 1920’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles. He became famous in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926), whose revelation that the narrator is the murderer sparked considerably controversy, though it has since come to be regarded as one of the best mystery novels of all time. Other highly acclaimed Poirot novels include Murder on the Orient Express (1934), The ABC Murders (1935), and Death on the Nile (1937). After Hallowe’en Party, Poirot appeared in two more novels in Christie’s lifetime: 1972’s Elephants Can Remember and 1975’s Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case, which was likely written decades earlier (“The Hercule Poirot Reading List.” Agatha Christie).

Poirot is physically diminutive, often self-important, and vain. He is highly proud of his appearance, particularly his mustache, which is widely considered an iconic element of the detective’s appearance.