THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES
UK publication: 1920 (John Lane, The Bodley Head)
US publication: 1920 (John Lane)
Detective: Hercule Poirot
Genre: Novel
::Plot summary and comments: Christie's first novel, introducing Poirot and Hastings. The action takes place during World War I at Styles Court, a country house in Essex, whose owner (John Cavendish) has invited young Capt. Hastings, his old friend, to stay and recuperate from his war injuries. Cavendish's wealthy stepmother, Mrs. Inglethorp, is found murdered by strychnine poisoning, and suspicion falls on all the other inhabitants of the house-- Mrs. Inglethorp's fortune-hunting new husband Alfred, Cavendish's wife Mary and brother Lawrence, Mrs. Inglethorp's companion Evelyn Howard, and a local girl (Cynthia) with access to poisons at the hospital-- as well as Dr. Bauerstein, an expert on poisons staying in the village. Hastings is delighted to discover Poirot staying in the same village. They had met before the war, when Hastings worked for Lloyds of London in Belgium; Poirot is now a war refugee, despite his fame in Belgium, and Hastings persuades Cavendish to let Poirot take the case. Inspector Japp also appears near the end. The story is a traditional puzzle-solver, with plans of the house and illustrations of clues. Christie drew on her knowledge of poisons (gained in her hospital work) to present a plausible crime, which was copied by a real-life criminal years later.
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::READERS REVIEWS::
What an intro to the quirky little Belgian
I've always preferred Agatha Christie's early mysteries to those published late in her life. Somehow the most recent works feel cranked out rather than thought out. "Styles" reeks with atmosphere, and the characters, stock though they may be, are quite good. The English country house, locked room murder tale has been overdone a bit (I eschew hyperbole), but it seems fresh-born here. Perhaps it is because this is the author's first-born mystery novel and she cared about what she was doing. Other reviewers have described the actual plot, so I will not repeat that. Suffice it to say that the plot works, and the surprises are indeed unexpected. The logic and denouement are fair to the reader. The plot doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to..."work," for lack of a better verb. Mystery readers, often without knowing it, read this genre not for the ingenious plot but for the feel of place and for the characters. If feel and characters are your thing, you can't go wrong with this one.
Agatha Chritie has done it again in this classic mystery of suspense. I encourage everyone to take time out and read this splendid and dynamic work of art from the one and only "Queen Of Crime." Hercule Poirot is the smartest detective I have ever read about. I originally had to read this book for English, and after reading this book for the first time I had to have my own copy. The murder involves the poisoning of the mistress, Emily Inglethorp. The belgian detective is called on upon his friend Hasting's to investigate the strange matter. ...! This book is so suprising and superb. Give Agatha Christie a chance and take time to read this book and all her others as well.
In The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Poirot is at his most delightful, Hastings at his most cocky-turned-bumbling self, and the cast of characters the epitome of classic mystery. The Mysterious Affair at Styles also proves that Christie knew from the start what made a mystery shocking and complex. The plot structure is one of the more ingenious takes on mystery writing. It is only second to that which was used in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and Endless Night. I can find nothing wrong with this book. This is certainly a very good example of Golden Age mystery, it virtually defines the term. A perfect example for those searching for Golden Age and all Christie/mystery lovers.
This book, the first of Christie's Poirot collection is truly an asset. The ending was so surprising that I'm sure it would have stumped everyone who read it..and it's not the "most unlikely one", either, as tends to be Christie's usual. A well developed plot supports the vital characters in the novel. Perhaps this lacks the sophistication of Christie's later novels, but still a thoroughly enjoyable and thrilling read from start to finish.
::YOUR OPINION::
