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Styles Court, England, 1916
Arthur Hastings, 30 år gammel, hårdt såret i den pågående krig (første verdenskrig for vi er i 1916), men nu i omløb igen på sygeorlov. Han møder John Cavendish, hvis stedmor Emily bor i huset Styles Court. Hun har altid været en god stedmor for sønnerne
En aften dør Emily - formentlig forgiftet med strykning - og Hastings foreslår at man tilkalder Hercule Poirot, som er indkvarteret i nærheden, evakueret fra Belgien. Alfred er hovedmistænkt, for han står til at arve, men Poirot renser ham for mistanke. Så bliver lægen anholdt som tysk spion og John bliver anholdt mistænkt for mordet.
Poirot borer videre og finder at stryknin optræder tre steder, blandt i en medicin som Emily tog regelmæssigt.
Ved retssagen påviser Poirot at Arthur faktisk er morderen og at mordvåbnet var medicinen, for ved at tilsætte lidt brom kunne man få strykninen til at bundfælde sig som krystaller og i stedet for lidt stryknin i hver portion, risikerer man at få hele dosis i den sidste portion og det er dødeligt.
Poirot finder et brev, hvor Arthur og Evelyn Howard har diskuteret dette.
Glimrende tidlig Poirot
Arthur Hastings, 30 år gammel, hårdt såret i den pågående krig (første verdenskrig for vi er i 1916), men nu i omløb igen på sygeorlov. Han møder John Cavendish, hvis stedmor Emily bor i huset Styles Court. Hun har altid været en god stedmor for sønnerne
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Lawrence og John. Faktisk sørger hun for dem begge, så det er en streg i regningen, da hun gifter sig igen med en 20 år yngre mand, Alfred Ingleton. John er gift med Mary.En aften dør Emily - formentlig forgiftet med strykning - og Hastings foreslår at man tilkalder Hercule Poirot, som er indkvarteret i nærheden, evakueret fra Belgien. Alfred er hovedmistænkt, for han står til at arve, men Poirot renser ham for mistanke. Så bliver lægen anholdt som tysk spion og John bliver anholdt mistænkt for mordet.
Poirot borer videre og finder at stryknin optræder tre steder, blandt i en medicin som Emily tog regelmæssigt.
Ved retssagen påviser Poirot at Arthur faktisk er morderen og at mordvåbnet var medicinen, for ved at tilsætte lidt brom kunne man få strykninen til at bundfælde sig som krystaller og i stedet for lidt stryknin i hver portion, risikerer man at få hele dosis i den sidste portion og det er dødeligt.
Poirot finder et brev, hvor Arthur og Evelyn Howard har diskuteret dette.
Glimrende tidlig Poirot
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Genres
Publication
[Kbh.] : Carit Andersen, [1967]. De trestjernede kriminalromaner
Description
Classic Literature. Fiction. Mystery. HTML: Who doesn't love a good mystery novel? Curl up with The Mysterious Affair at Styles, a tale from the pen of Agatha Christie, a writer who is regarded by critics and fans alike as one of the masters of the form. This classic manor-house mystery introduces Christie's much beloved character, the detective Hercule Poirot..
User reviews
LibraryThing member lmichet
I read this book because whenever I take it into my head to read a long series of books surrounding a central character I feel that it is my duty to begin with the earliest possible book. It is as if I am reading the biography of a person-- it would not do them justice to begin anywhere else but at
But enough about that. Partly because my college's copy of 'His Last Bow' had gone missing, I decided to go to another of English literature's great detectives, Poirot, and again I began at the beginning. I wasn't terribly impressed by 'The Mysterious Affair at Styles.' It seemed a bit silly to me that the characters should so often talk about detective novels. If felt like we were constantly in danger of breaking the fourth wall. The thing about Holmes mysteries is that they are simultaneously character studies, great storytelling, and puzzles. We are interested in the secret of the story, but we will reread it once again for the pace and excitement of the tale, and we will read it a third time because by that point were are enfolded deep in the Holmes cult of personality which Watson is so eager to draw us into. That is the effect of the strange 'biography' bent which the voice of Watson brings us into-- he tells the story retrospectively and with great love for the title character, who is his one great lifelong friend. Conan Doyle's decision to tell the story this way is what, in the case of a very few of the stories, lifted them the plain-old popular detective story and into literature.
Now, Poirot's story is similarly here secondhand, through the testimony of a friend, but a friend who is not so close to him. Furthermore, because our narrator is implicated in the disaster himself, his attention is less on the character of Poirot the detective and more on the solution, for which he waits as eagerly as any one of the suspected criminals. Watson, on the other hand, was eager for the solution because he was eager for Holmes to win. And so the attention was eternally on Holmes, and we love the story because we love Holmes, and that is that.
But because Poirot is here thrust into a situation where his 'biographer' is less interested in him as a man than as a solver of mysteries, he seems a bit fabricated. I'm sure this is not the case in all the Poirot books-- like Holmes he must have developed a personality following, or we would not be continually having television series based on him. He eventually became the focus, but here he is not. Even from the beginning Holmes was Watson's focus. But in 'The Mysterious Affair at Styles,' Poirot is just another detective-- a good one, but just another one-- in a world where amateur detectives have existed and where they-- and Holmes himself, even-- are talked about and referenced quite frequently. We are aware that we are in a genre. This is what kills this story.
However, the fact that Agatha Christie was able to write a complex, interwoven plot filled with characters who are all in some way influential is rather amazing. No character in this book is a bystander-- all are important. It is really very deep. I say that it is no wonder she became famous. This book is very skilled, if genrebound and without proper focus yet on the character who will cause it to fly or fall.
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the beginning. For this reason I waited almost five years to finish my readthrough of the Holmes novels in grade school simply because I could not find a copy of 'His Last Bow'-- a fact which deeply saddened me, because it is my opinion that Holmes is one of the greatest characters in western literature, ever. Period. He appealed to both the learned at the intellectual layman because he is simply a beautiful concept. If anyone from fiction deserves to have really lived, it is Holmes. But enough about that. Partly because my college's copy of 'His Last Bow' had gone missing, I decided to go to another of English literature's great detectives, Poirot, and again I began at the beginning. I wasn't terribly impressed by 'The Mysterious Affair at Styles.' It seemed a bit silly to me that the characters should so often talk about detective novels. If felt like we were constantly in danger of breaking the fourth wall. The thing about Holmes mysteries is that they are simultaneously character studies, great storytelling, and puzzles. We are interested in the secret of the story, but we will reread it once again for the pace and excitement of the tale, and we will read it a third time because by that point were are enfolded deep in the Holmes cult of personality which Watson is so eager to draw us into. That is the effect of the strange 'biography' bent which the voice of Watson brings us into-- he tells the story retrospectively and with great love for the title character, who is his one great lifelong friend. Conan Doyle's decision to tell the story this way is what, in the case of a very few of the stories, lifted them the plain-old popular detective story and into literature.
Now, Poirot's story is similarly here secondhand, through the testimony of a friend, but a friend who is not so close to him. Furthermore, because our narrator is implicated in the disaster himself, his attention is less on the character of Poirot the detective and more on the solution, for which he waits as eagerly as any one of the suspected criminals. Watson, on the other hand, was eager for the solution because he was eager for Holmes to win. And so the attention was eternally on Holmes, and we love the story because we love Holmes, and that is that.
But because Poirot is here thrust into a situation where his 'biographer' is less interested in him as a man than as a solver of mysteries, he seems a bit fabricated. I'm sure this is not the case in all the Poirot books-- like Holmes he must have developed a personality following, or we would not be continually having television series based on him. He eventually became the focus, but here he is not. Even from the beginning Holmes was Watson's focus. But in 'The Mysterious Affair at Styles,' Poirot is just another detective-- a good one, but just another one-- in a world where amateur detectives have existed and where they-- and Holmes himself, even-- are talked about and referenced quite frequently. We are aware that we are in a genre. This is what kills this story.
However, the fact that Agatha Christie was able to write a complex, interwoven plot filled with characters who are all in some way influential is rather amazing. No character in this book is a bystander-- all are important. It is really very deep. I say that it is no wonder she became famous. This book is very skilled, if genrebound and without proper focus yet on the character who will cause it to fly or fall.
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LibraryThing member Helenliz
This is the novel that introduces Poirot to the world. he's called in to investigate the poisoning of the lady of Styles Hall. And there are a host of suspects to wade through. We also meet Hastings, who's convalescing after a war wound of some description. This is one of the few Poirot books that
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i can think of that is set in a particular time period. Most of them seem to be set in some fuzzy period between the two wars, whereas this is clearly set during WW1. It has its twists & turns and at times Poirot is more concerned with playing the role of Cupid than detective, but it's non the worse for that. Not a book I've read before (I always preferred Miss Marple as a teenager), but there's not much wrong with it. Show Less
LibraryThing member MickyFine
Invalided home from the Great War, Arthur Hastings is pleased to bump into his old friend, John Cavendish, and be invited to spend time at Cavendish's family estate, Styles. In a happy coincidence, Hastings long acquaintance, Hercule Poirot, is also in the neighbourhood as he has refugeed from
It was fascinating to read Agatha Christie's first novel and see just how well her mystery crafting skills were already developed in this first foray. I found Hastings to be a bit pretentious but having a somewhat unlikeable narrator didn't diminish the joy of the book. It's interesting to see here that while there is some humour, it's not quite as pervasive as in some of Christie's other novels, which often leave me chorting. While I was not as misled as the narrator, I still was in the dark about whodunnit until the final reveal, always a bonus in a mystery novel.
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Belgium. Poirot's proximity is particularly advantageous as shortly after Hastings's arrival, John Cavendish's stepmother dies suddenly and from apparent poisoning. But with the astute Belgian detective about, no murderer is safe.It was fascinating to read Agatha Christie's first novel and see just how well her mystery crafting skills were already developed in this first foray. I found Hastings to be a bit pretentious but having a somewhat unlikeable narrator didn't diminish the joy of the book. It's interesting to see here that while there is some humour, it's not quite as pervasive as in some of Christie's other novels, which often leave me chorting. While I was not as misled as the narrator, I still was in the dark about whodunnit until the final reveal, always a bonus in a mystery novel.
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LibraryThing member smik
This account of the Styles Case is penned by Captain Hastings, a war hero invalided home from the Front. He is invited down to Styles Court by his friend John Cavendish to spend some of his convalescent leave. In the village Hastings runs across his old friend Hercules Poirot, an elderly Belgian,
Without creating any spoilers I want to list a few points about this book. They are not really in any particular order.
1. Although it was published almost 90 years ago, it is very readable even now.
2. It was actually Agatha Christie's debut novel.
When we review such a novel these days, we tend to say something like, "really good for a debut novel." With THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES, her publishers must have thought they'd hit the jackpot! She burst onto the scene, 30 years old, and, by the time STYLES was published, married for 5 or so years, and mother to a baby daughter.
3. This is Poirot's debut novel too, and Inspector Japp who figures in many of the later Poirot novels also makes his first appearance. While Hastings is a relatively young man, only 30 years old, Poirot is quite old, perhaps in his 50s??. Japp for example reveals that he had worked with Poirot on a case in Brussels and Antwerp in 1904, and he was already a celebrated sleuth.
4. This novel is set towards the end of World War One, and Christie makes a number of observations about the privations of life in England during the war, rationing, and shortages, and a style of living that is fast disappearing. The house at Styles for example once had a much larger domestic, household and garden staff, but is now "making do". The Cavendish brothers have inherited money, John lives the life of a country squire, and Lawrence, the younger brother is delicate and follows literary pursuits. Other members of the family are working in "acceptable" occupations, for war time that is, a nurse, the land army, and a companion.
5. The War features not only in Hastings' convalescence, but alos in the fact that one of the characters is a German spy.
6. In STYLES Christie is exploring the scenario of a classic locked room mystery. The room in which Mrs Inglethorpe dies has 3 doors all apparently bolted on the inside. You can almost see her cutting her teeth on a classic crime fiction puzzle.
7. In many ways Hastings is Poirot's foil, just as Watson was for Holmes.
8. In the long run we see the resolution of the threads in a couple of ways that became a pattern in later books: all the characters are called together and Poirot reveals all, and the finer points are explained carefully to Hastings so that he (and we) finally understand how it all fitted together. Throughout the book Poirot jumps to conclusions but keeps them to himself, making us wonder what we've missed. Nor are we always told of the things he finds out. He disappears off to London for a day or two for example, but neither we, nor Hastings, don't always know why he went there, what he did, and what he found out. I don't think Christie always "played fair" with the reader.
It's been so long since I originally read THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES that I really had forgotten most of the detail, so it didn't really feel like I was re-reading it.
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once one of the most celebrated members of the Belgian police, but now a refugee assisted by John Cavendish's mother Mrs Inglethorpe. While Hastings is staying at Styles, Mrs Inglethorpe dies in suspicious circumstances, in a seemingly locked room. Through Hastings Poirot becomes involved in the case, and the "little grey cells" are put to work in England for the very first time.Without creating any spoilers I want to list a few points about this book. They are not really in any particular order.
1. Although it was published almost 90 years ago, it is very readable even now.
2. It was actually Agatha Christie's debut novel.
When we review such a novel these days, we tend to say something like, "really good for a debut novel." With THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES, her publishers must have thought they'd hit the jackpot! She burst onto the scene, 30 years old, and, by the time STYLES was published, married for 5 or so years, and mother to a baby daughter.
3. This is Poirot's debut novel too, and Inspector Japp who figures in many of the later Poirot novels also makes his first appearance. While Hastings is a relatively young man, only 30 years old, Poirot is quite old, perhaps in his 50s??. Japp for example reveals that he had worked with Poirot on a case in Brussels and Antwerp in 1904, and he was already a celebrated sleuth.
4. This novel is set towards the end of World War One, and Christie makes a number of observations about the privations of life in England during the war, rationing, and shortages, and a style of living that is fast disappearing. The house at Styles for example once had a much larger domestic, household and garden staff, but is now "making do". The Cavendish brothers have inherited money, John lives the life of a country squire, and Lawrence, the younger brother is delicate and follows literary pursuits. Other members of the family are working in "acceptable" occupations, for war time that is, a nurse, the land army, and a companion.
5. The War features not only in Hastings' convalescence, but alos in the fact that one of the characters is a German spy.
6. In STYLES Christie is exploring the scenario of a classic locked room mystery. The room in which Mrs Inglethorpe dies has 3 doors all apparently bolted on the inside. You can almost see her cutting her teeth on a classic crime fiction puzzle.
7. In many ways Hastings is Poirot's foil, just as Watson was for Holmes.
8. In the long run we see the resolution of the threads in a couple of ways that became a pattern in later books: all the characters are called together and Poirot reveals all, and the finer points are explained carefully to Hastings so that he (and we) finally understand how it all fitted together. Throughout the book Poirot jumps to conclusions but keeps them to himself, making us wonder what we've missed. Nor are we always told of the things he finds out. He disappears off to London for a day or two for example, but neither we, nor Hastings, don't always know why he went there, what he did, and what he found out. I don't think Christie always "played fair" with the reader.
It's been so long since I originally read THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES that I really had forgotten most of the detail, so it didn't really feel like I was re-reading it.
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LibraryThing member humouress
Apparently, Agatha Christie - who had never written a book before - wrote this book in response to a complaint that there were no crime novels where all the facts were known to the reader, as well as the detective, before the denouement which weren't solvable in the first few chapters. This is the
Hastings has been invalided out of the war, and while convalescing, is invited back to Styles, the country home of an old acquaintance, John Cavendish. While there, a crime occurs, and on wishing out loud that a great detective he met in Europe was here to help them, Hastings discovers that Poirot is, in fact, living in the nearby village, as a Belgian refugee from the war. And so Poirot gets involved in the case, and finally brings the criminal to justice.
I've read many books by Christie in the past, but I can't remember if I've read this one before. So earnest was I (previously) in reading the clues to solve the crime (which I never did) that I hadn't realised before that Christie is quite funny; written at the same period as P.G. Wodehouse was writing, while not being as uproariously funny, it has a similar sense of humour.
Poirot (speaking of the criminal) :
"... We must be so intelligent that he does not suspect us of being intelligent at all."
I acquiesced.
"There, mon ami, you will be of great assistance to me."
I was pleased with the compliment. There had been times when I hardly thought that Poirot appreciated me at my true worth.
"Yes," he continued, staring at me thoughtfully, "you will be invaluable."
This was naturally gratifying, ...
Poor old Hastings would like to think of himself as the romantic lead, or at least the great detective (since he often thinks that Poirot is no longer on his game), but is usually seen by the other cast members as a sympathetic shoulder to lean on.
Christie (and occasionally Poirot) misdirects us gaily until the last moment, when Poirot explains all. There are, of course, the odd coincidence, and a few instances of great good luck. I might have docked stars for my not being able to solve the crime (*sour grapes*), but I'll give them back for the unexpected humour. And the hint of romance doesn't hurt; there's nothing so sweet as requited love.
I must say that, while reading Poirot's dialogue, I kept thinking of David Suchet playing the part (though admittedly his eyes aren't green). Kudos to him for getting the part down.
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book, narrated by Hastings, that introduces us to Hercule Poirot.Hastings has been invalided out of the war, and while convalescing, is invited back to Styles, the country home of an old acquaintance, John Cavendish. While there, a crime occurs, and on wishing out loud that a great detective he met in Europe was here to help them, Hastings discovers that Poirot is, in fact, living in the nearby village, as a Belgian refugee from the war. And so Poirot gets involved in the case, and finally brings the criminal to justice.
I've read many books by Christie in the past, but I can't remember if I've read this one before. So earnest was I (previously) in reading the clues to solve the crime (which I never did) that I hadn't realised before that Christie is quite funny; written at the same period as P.G. Wodehouse was writing, while not being as uproariously funny, it has a similar sense of humour.
Poirot (speaking of the criminal) :
"... We must be so intelligent that he does not suspect us of being intelligent at all."
I acquiesced.
"There, mon ami, you will be of great assistance to me."
I was pleased with the compliment. There had been times when I hardly thought that Poirot appreciated me at my true worth.
"Yes," he continued, staring at me thoughtfully, "you will be invaluable."
This was naturally gratifying, ...
Poor old Hastings would like to think of himself as the romantic lead, or at least the great detective (since he often thinks that Poirot is no longer on his game), but is usually seen by the other cast members as a sympathetic shoulder to lean on.
Christie (and occasionally Poirot) misdirects us gaily until the last moment, when Poirot explains all. There are, of course, the odd coincidence, and a few instances of great good luck. I might have docked stars for my not being able to solve the crime (*sour grapes*), but I'll give them back for the unexpected humour. And the hint of romance doesn't hurt; there's nothing so sweet as requited love.
I must say that, while reading Poirot's dialogue, I kept thinking of David Suchet playing the part (though admittedly his eyes aren't green). Kudos to him for getting the part down.
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LibraryThing member sarah-e
What fun! I didn't see everything coming, though I had my list of suspects narrowed and lingering suspicions where they ought to have been. Still, I couldn't have solved it on all that, and when Poirot Explains came around I was quite entertained. Just what a good old mystery should be.
LibraryThing member dougwood57
Agatha Christie's Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot Mysteries) by Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie's first mystery novel, introduced Belgian detective Hercules Poirot to what has grown to be legions of readers in the intervening years since its publication
Christie's typically complicated plot keeps the reader guessing along with Poirot's friend and narrator Lieutenant Hastings. Clue after clue leads us down one blind alley after another. Reading tip: If Hastings thinks he has figured something out, you can be sure he has it backwards. Christie adheres to this rule without exception - almost.
By the way, I highly recommend the TV series in which David Suchet captures Hercules Poirot perfectly For example: (Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Definitive Collection). Albert Finney and Peter Ustinov have also given entertaining portrayals. Christie's Miss Marple, on the other hand, has been tackled by numerous actresses, but none has succeeded like Suchet has with Poirot. My favorite Marple is Margaret Rutherford who played the role in four movies made in the 1960s (The Agatha Christie Miss Marple Movie Collection (Murder at the Gallop / Murder Ahoy / Murder Most Foul / Murder She Said)).
The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a delightfully entertaining mystery and a `must read' for any fan of the mystery genre. Christie's books, while they give a peak at sordid doings, are reliably comfortable and satisfying reads and as far from unsettling or noirish as one can imagine.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie's first mystery novel, introduced Belgian detective Hercules Poirot to what has grown to be legions of readers in the intervening years since its publication
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in 1920. Poirot springs onto the pages fully formed. The retired Belgian police detective is quirky, not to say eccentric, but brilliant. He is that "odd little man" who uses "the little gray cells" to solve cunningly hidden crimes.Christie's typically complicated plot keeps the reader guessing along with Poirot's friend and narrator Lieutenant Hastings. Clue after clue leads us down one blind alley after another. Reading tip: If Hastings thinks he has figured something out, you can be sure he has it backwards. Christie adheres to this rule without exception - almost.
By the way, I highly recommend the TV series in which David Suchet captures Hercules Poirot perfectly For example: (Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Definitive Collection). Albert Finney and Peter Ustinov have also given entertaining portrayals. Christie's Miss Marple, on the other hand, has been tackled by numerous actresses, but none has succeeded like Suchet has with Poirot. My favorite Marple is Margaret Rutherford who played the role in four movies made in the 1960s (The Agatha Christie Miss Marple Movie Collection (Murder at the Gallop / Murder Ahoy / Murder Most Foul / Murder She Said)).
The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a delightfully entertaining mystery and a `must read' for any fan of the mystery genre. Christie's books, while they give a peak at sordid doings, are reliably comfortable and satisfying reads and as far from unsettling or noirish as one can imagine.
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LibraryThing member Bookmarque
Even in his debut Poirot is so very Poirot. His every quirk is in place and accounted for; his reverence for order and precisely lined up decorations, his pride in his amply nurtured little gray cells, his immaculate costume; it’s all there. And so great. I vaguely remembered it from having seen
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the TV adaptation, but I didn’t remember the solution. Of course I didn’t guess it even though Poirot maintains he made it plain. But poor me and Hastings, we were clueless until the usual summing up. Even in her first novel Christie polishes her characters, tightens her plots and keeps us knee-deep in suspects. Devious shenanigans ensue, but of course Poirot sees through everyone’s facades and lies and comes up with the goods. Inspector Japp takes the credit, but at this point Poirot doesn’t care. All that is important is that he’s right. Show Less
LibraryThing member olegalCA
I own every single Agatha Christie book ever written - every play, every book under Mary W... and I'm going to reread every single one interspersed with Anne Perry's two series. My mother and I worked hard to scour used bookstores for my collection and they deserve to be honoured.
LibraryThing member nmhale
The first book Agatha Christie published was also her first Hercule Poirot mystery, my favorite of all her detectives. Captain Alfred Hastings narrates the story, and he also is a familiar figure in Christie mysteries, as a confidante and sidekick to Poirot. At the start of this novel, he is
When Hastings arrives, he quickly realizes that Styles Court in not a peaceful place. Emily Cavendish, the matriarch of the family and wealthy widow who owns the whole estate, has recently married a much younger man. The rest of the family greatly dislikes Alfred Inglethorp, the new husband. John and his brother, Lawrence, are Emily's stepsons. Nonetheless, she has the power to determine how the money will be distributed at her death, even if it was the will of John's father that John as his eldest son would inherit the estate upon his stepmother's death. Emily changes her will on a regular basis; currently, her will ensures that the money will go to the new husband, Alfred. Clearly, the tension is high in the family. To make matters worse, Emily's friend Evelyn Howard is also staying with the family, and she detests Alfred and regularly has altercations with him.
The mystery kicks in when the household is awakened in the middle of the night, hearing sounds of struggle in Emily Cavendish's room. They rush to her aid, but the door is locked. By the time they break in to the room, they find Emily alone but in dire straights. At first, she seems to be recuperating, but another attack seizes her while they are there. The doctor declares that she is dying. He explains it away as natural causes, but Hastings suspects poison, as does the doctor. Hastings asks John for his permission to contact an old friend of his, Hercule Poirot. While the family is divided as to whether a detective is even needed, John agrees, and Poirot soon arrives on the scene.
Working with his usual brilliant and meticulous care, Poirot begins uncovering the secrets of the household. The number of people staying at the house means that the suspect count is high. Christie clearly describes the clues, and Poirot's attention to them, but doesn't explain their meaning until the great reveal at the end. As this is Poirot's first appearance in print, the story makes a great point of the first impression he makes on people, of a rather foolish and foppish foreigner, in contrast with his incredible mind and deft skill at unraveling mysteries. The solution to this particular puzzler is delightful, twisting the reader's expectations around and around again, and will delight mystery lovers.
Truly, Agatha Christie is the Grand Dame of mysteries, and this book is a wonderful place to start. It introduces her most famous detective, it also introduces the familiar figure Captain Hastings, and it is a fantastic mystery that demonstrates Christie's gift for defying expectations. Her stories are generally self-contained, even if they do frequently use the same characters, so it actually is not necessary for someone new to Christie or Hercule Poirot to start with this book. However, it's not a bad idea, because this book is prime Christie, and immensely fun. I recommend people read all the Hercule Poirot mysteries, including The Mysterious Affair at Styles.
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recently returned to England, invalided from battle and home to recuperate. He happens to run into John Cavendish, an old friend, and is invited to spend some time at the Cavendish country home, Styles Court. When Hastings arrives, he quickly realizes that Styles Court in not a peaceful place. Emily Cavendish, the matriarch of the family and wealthy widow who owns the whole estate, has recently married a much younger man. The rest of the family greatly dislikes Alfred Inglethorp, the new husband. John and his brother, Lawrence, are Emily's stepsons. Nonetheless, she has the power to determine how the money will be distributed at her death, even if it was the will of John's father that John as his eldest son would inherit the estate upon his stepmother's death. Emily changes her will on a regular basis; currently, her will ensures that the money will go to the new husband, Alfred. Clearly, the tension is high in the family. To make matters worse, Emily's friend Evelyn Howard is also staying with the family, and she detests Alfred and regularly has altercations with him.
The mystery kicks in when the household is awakened in the middle of the night, hearing sounds of struggle in Emily Cavendish's room. They rush to her aid, but the door is locked. By the time they break in to the room, they find Emily alone but in dire straights. At first, she seems to be recuperating, but another attack seizes her while they are there. The doctor declares that she is dying. He explains it away as natural causes, but Hastings suspects poison, as does the doctor. Hastings asks John for his permission to contact an old friend of his, Hercule Poirot. While the family is divided as to whether a detective is even needed, John agrees, and Poirot soon arrives on the scene.
Working with his usual brilliant and meticulous care, Poirot begins uncovering the secrets of the household. The number of people staying at the house means that the suspect count is high. Christie clearly describes the clues, and Poirot's attention to them, but doesn't explain their meaning until the great reveal at the end. As this is Poirot's first appearance in print, the story makes a great point of the first impression he makes on people, of a rather foolish and foppish foreigner, in contrast with his incredible mind and deft skill at unraveling mysteries. The solution to this particular puzzler is delightful, twisting the reader's expectations around and around again, and will delight mystery lovers.
Truly, Agatha Christie is the Grand Dame of mysteries, and this book is a wonderful place to start. It introduces her most famous detective, it also introduces the familiar figure Captain Hastings, and it is a fantastic mystery that demonstrates Christie's gift for defying expectations. Her stories are generally self-contained, even if they do frequently use the same characters, so it actually is not necessary for someone new to Christie or Hercule Poirot to start with this book. However, it's not a bad idea, because this book is prime Christie, and immensely fun. I recommend people read all the Hercule Poirot mysteries, including The Mysterious Affair at Styles.
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LibraryThing member madamejeanie
Mr. Hastings, our narrator, is visiting his old friend John Cavendish at his country estate called Styles when John's recently remarried step-mother, Mrs. Emily Inglethorpe, dies of strychnine poisoning inside a bedroom locked from the inside. Was the murderer her new husband, Alfred, who is
This is the first Hercule Poirot mystery and was elegantly plotted, masterfully written, and quite logical in method. A very entertaining book and a quick read. I do see, however, that I will likely need to keep pen and pad handy to take notes when reading Ms. Christie!
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greatly disliked and distrusted by the household? Or could it have been one of her step-sons, John or his lazy brother Lawrence? Perhaps John's wife Mary, or Emily's protogee, Cynthia? Hastings calls in another old friend, recently retired Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, to investigate.This is the first Hercule Poirot mystery and was elegantly plotted, masterfully written, and quite logical in method. A very entertaining book and a quick read. I do see, however, that I will likely need to keep pen and pad handy to take notes when reading Ms. Christie!
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LibraryThing member SlySionnach
So, I'm a forensic scientist (in DNA but still, the whole Solving Crime thing applies). This book had me thinking in the right direction, then changing my mind, then eventually figuring out what I thought was right and then was not.
Confused? I was too. But in a fantastic way.
This was my first
Though I was lost in the beginning, not knowing who the POV character was, I quickly caught on. Sometimes the action moved a bit quick, but I didn't overly mind it. The plot, and the clues, seemed to be so over-the-top complicated that it made me wonder if any of these types of crimes would happen in real life. But that's why I'm reading a fiction book - an escape from real life.
I enjoyed following the crazy little Belgian's thinking, eventually coming to conclusions she wanted me to, agreeing with Hastings (who I knew would just have to be wrong) and disagreeing with Hastings and finding myself pausing to go, "Okay, what does that really have to do with anything?"
There's a reason Agatha Christie is the "#1 Best Selling Author of Mystery." Her cozy mysteries are fun, entertaining, and take a bit of detective work to figure out. And since I've heard that this isn't considered one of the "best" novels, I only have more to look forward to.
Confused? I was too. But in a fantastic way.
This was my first
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Agatha Christie book, since I figured I'd start at Poirot's first and work my way down, and I must say that I want to go out and buy another tonight. The clues she gives may be hidden, but as Poirot says, "Nothing is insignificant." (paraphrased).Though I was lost in the beginning, not knowing who the POV character was, I quickly caught on. Sometimes the action moved a bit quick, but I didn't overly mind it. The plot, and the clues, seemed to be so over-the-top complicated that it made me wonder if any of these types of crimes would happen in real life. But that's why I'm reading a fiction book - an escape from real life.
I enjoyed following the crazy little Belgian's thinking, eventually coming to conclusions she wanted me to, agreeing with Hastings (who I knew would just have to be wrong) and disagreeing with Hastings and finding myself pausing to go, "Okay, what does that really have to do with anything?"
There's a reason Agatha Christie is the "#1 Best Selling Author of Mystery." Her cozy mysteries are fun, entertaining, and take a bit of detective work to figure out. And since I've heard that this isn't considered one of the "best" novels, I only have more to look forward to.
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LibraryThing member krazy4katz
This is the first in the Poirot series. A fun, relaxing read. Complex twists and turns with lots of humor. However, if you are looking for character development, this may not be the book for you. Still, I am glad I read it.
LibraryThing member JohnMunsch
Agatha Christie's first Hercule Poirot novel and first novel ever. Interesting but not riveting.
LibraryThing member miyurose
Another book that I can’t really review because really? What can you say about a master like Christie? I think what I like best about Poirot is not just that so much of what he detects is based on observation, but that he has a real soft spot for love. Someday, I will make it through all of these!
LibraryThing member bcquinnsmom
First introduced in this novel in 1920, Hercule Poirot (who I can never picture as anyone but David Suchet anymore!!) is a retired Belgian detective who has settled in the English village of Styles St. Mary. Poirot is brought into the case because a woman who had done a great favor to a few of his
The death of Mrs. Emily Inglethorp brings out a number of possible suspects, but just as many alibis. Her death occurs while Arthur Hastings is visiting one of his old friends, John Cavendish, who is Emily's son. Poirot is called into this baffling case and soon finds himself in the thick of trying to sort out this complicated mystery.
It is so much fun revisiting my books; I read this many years ago and I guess it's been long enough that I've totally forgotten both the crime and the murderer, so I've had a lot of fun with this one.
If you're interested in reading the Hercule Poirot series, do yourself a favor and start with this one, the first in the series and take yourself through the books in order. Poirot is a magnificent character -- one of my favorite detectives of all time.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone!
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fellow countrymen after WWI is killed. It is here that he rekindles his friendship with one Arthur Hastings, who will go on to become Poirot's number one sidekick friend as the later books appear. The death of Mrs. Emily Inglethorp brings out a number of possible suspects, but just as many alibis. Her death occurs while Arthur Hastings is visiting one of his old friends, John Cavendish, who is Emily's son. Poirot is called into this baffling case and soon finds himself in the thick of trying to sort out this complicated mystery.
It is so much fun revisiting my books; I read this many years ago and I guess it's been long enough that I've totally forgotten both the crime and the murderer, so I've had a lot of fun with this one.
If you're interested in reading the Hercule Poirot series, do yourself a favor and start with this one, the first in the series and take yourself through the books in order. Poirot is a magnificent character -- one of my favorite detectives of all time.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone!
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LibraryThing member riverwillow
This is the first book Agatha Christie published and the one that introduced Hercule Poirot to the world. The story was inspired by her experiences working at the Torbay Dispensary during WWI and of all the criticisms that could be thrown at her stories, no one could accuse her of not knowing her
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poisons. This is especially true of this book where an understanding of how two chemical compounds interact is key to solving the murder. But this book uses two of Christie's key devices, misdirection and the assembling of all the suspects for the denouement. Wonderful Show Less
LibraryThing member Katie_H
Christie introduces her most famous character and one of literature's most loved detectives, Hercule Poirot, in classic Christie fashion. The murder mystery takes place in an upper class hosehold known as Styles Court. The mistress of the manor is Emily Inglethorpe, an elderly woman who has just
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married a much younger man. The many family members occupying the home become suspects when Mrs. Inglethorpe is murdered, and Poirot gets to work in what is later learned to be his typical quirky style. It is a fun adventure full of clues, suspicious characters, and theories, and it will keep you guessing until the very end. Show Less
LibraryThing member mccin68
This is the first Hercule Poirot novel. A childhood friend of Hastings, John Cavendish, invites him to re-coup from a recent war injury at his step-mother's estate, Styles. The wealthy Mrs. Inglethorp is soon found murdered in her locked bedroom. Suspicion is thrown everwhere. An expected ending
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achieved in a crazy twist. I realized, in thumbing back through the book that the "clues" were present throughout the story but I still found the ending surprising. Show Less
LibraryThing member katzenfrau
I finished reading The Mysterious Affair At Styles yesterday afternoon. Yes, it was the first time I've ever read it. Yes, I am more than 2/3s through the AC oeuvre. So shoot me. Anyway: this was her first novel, published in 1920, when she was 30 years old. In general, I'm not crazy about her
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early books, but this one was really good. It's the gold standard for whodunits, a party at a country house, the hostess dies, everyone has motive and opportunity, in comes the brilliant detective. I do think it's significantly different from her other novels because there is an enormous amount of pollution of the evidence, which makes it basically impossible for the reader to solve the crime. But it's still a lot of fun. Show Less
LibraryThing member GAYLEGREY
One of my favorites of the year. Surprise pick by Tommy Adams. I got the dvd and thoroughly enjoyed both. Beginning of Poirot and Hastings friendship.
LibraryThing member sriddle
First Agatha Christie in which a device she is to use frequently is introduced into the novel of unusual complexity for her usual plotting. See _Evil Under the Sun_, _Death on the Nile_, for other examples.
LibraryThing member tututhefirst
Introducing Hercule Poirot, the fastidious Belgian private detective destined to become world renowned as one of Agatha Christie's two famous detectives. This one is set in an old house in England where Perot happens to be visiting. We also meet Hastings, the recovering war veteran who goes on to
THe story concerns a wealthy woman murdered in her locked bedroom. There are numerous suspects, and many red herrings, and ends with the famous scene where Poirot gathers all together and reveals the answers. Delightful.
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become Poirot's sidekick. Hastings has a lot to learn, and Christie does a wonderful job off starting off the pair in this episode.THe story concerns a wealthy woman murdered in her locked bedroom. There are numerous suspects, and many red herrings, and ends with the famous scene where Poirot gathers all together and reveals the answers. Delightful.
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LibraryThing member Figgles
Introducing Poirot! Captain Hastings, invalided out of the army during the first World War, is visiting acquaintances at Styles Court, when his hostess is poisoned. Fortunately he finds a friend staying in the village who can help - a Belgian, ex-police, refugee... and Poirot makes his debut! Very
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enjoyable! Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
It was interesting reading this again after my reread of the classic Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes stories. This isn't just the first Hercule Poirot novel, it's Agatha Christie's first novel, and when it was published in 1920, Arthur Conan Doyle was still alive and still publishing Holmes
Given how Poirot went on to forge his own claim to be a great fictional detective, I felt here almost as if I was witnessing the passing of the baton, and that held a lot of fascination for me, even if I don't feel this first outing matches the best of Holmes--or of Christie. For one, the first person narrator through which we see Hercule Poirot is no Doctor Watson. In a lot of filmed adaptions and Holmes pastiches, Watson is depicted as dim--which I think unfair to the character. Watson for me stands in for the intelligent reader--if he seems dim, it's only in contrast to Holmes' dazzling brilliance, and I didn't often feel ahead of Watson. Captain Arthur Hastings, on the other hand, our narrator, is a complete dolt in this novel. And of the worst kind. Watson, as a bright and competent man, is capable of giving Holmes his due, and always speaks of him with obvious admiration. Hastings, however, often speaks of Poirot in a condescending way. From comments of Poirot, in contrast, he realizes Hastings isn't all that bright. Comments said right to Hastings' face that pass right over him. I don't know if Hastings continues in this vein in the other novels, fortunately the character appears in only eight of the thirty-three Poirot novels.
Nevertheless, this is an entertaining novel--often witty and humorous. And Christie even in this first outing displays an extraordinary skill in plotting. This is one of those classic "locked room" mysteries set in an English country manor that is seen as the very epitome of the British mystery. The clues, the red herrings--all this Christie brings off like clockwork. And in Poirot you can already see the makings of a great character, the "Great Detective" in the Sherlock Holmes tradition to which he has no real successor. Oh, on the outside there can't be a bigger contrast to Holmes in this "funny little man, a great dandy," this Belgian with his diminutive stature and egg-shaped head and prissy manner. Ah, but those "little grey cells" of Poirot are pure Holmes.
If I mark this novel down a couple of notches, well, this just isn't to my mind as impressive as other Christie mysteries and I don't think the cast of secondary characters are as sharp and memorable as you find in Christie at her best, and the resolution doesn't have my jaw dropping such as with Christie's And Then There Were None. Just to limit myself to the Poirot mysteries, I don't think The Mysterious Affair at Styles is as good as The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Murder on the Orient Express, The ABC Murders, Death on the Nile or Five Little Pigs. But the good news is, if this is your introduction to Christie and you like this novel, well, even better awaits you!
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stories (the last one was written in 1927). There are a lot of aspects of the plot and narrative of The Mysterious Affair at Styles that are strongly reminiscent of the Holmes stories--Sherlock Holmes is even mentioned early on. Given how Poirot went on to forge his own claim to be a great fictional detective, I felt here almost as if I was witnessing the passing of the baton, and that held a lot of fascination for me, even if I don't feel this first outing matches the best of Holmes--or of Christie. For one, the first person narrator through which we see Hercule Poirot is no Doctor Watson. In a lot of filmed adaptions and Holmes pastiches, Watson is depicted as dim--which I think unfair to the character. Watson for me stands in for the intelligent reader--if he seems dim, it's only in contrast to Holmes' dazzling brilliance, and I didn't often feel ahead of Watson. Captain Arthur Hastings, on the other hand, our narrator, is a complete dolt in this novel. And of the worst kind. Watson, as a bright and competent man, is capable of giving Holmes his due, and always speaks of him with obvious admiration. Hastings, however, often speaks of Poirot in a condescending way. From comments of Poirot, in contrast, he realizes Hastings isn't all that bright. Comments said right to Hastings' face that pass right over him. I don't know if Hastings continues in this vein in the other novels, fortunately the character appears in only eight of the thirty-three Poirot novels.
Nevertheless, this is an entertaining novel--often witty and humorous. And Christie even in this first outing displays an extraordinary skill in plotting. This is one of those classic "locked room" mysteries set in an English country manor that is seen as the very epitome of the British mystery. The clues, the red herrings--all this Christie brings off like clockwork. And in Poirot you can already see the makings of a great character, the "Great Detective" in the Sherlock Holmes tradition to which he has no real successor. Oh, on the outside there can't be a bigger contrast to Holmes in this "funny little man, a great dandy," this Belgian with his diminutive stature and egg-shaped head and prissy manner. Ah, but those "little grey cells" of Poirot are pure Holmes.
If I mark this novel down a couple of notches, well, this just isn't to my mind as impressive as other Christie mysteries and I don't think the cast of secondary characters are as sharp and memorable as you find in Christie at her best, and the resolution doesn't have my jaw dropping such as with Christie's And Then There Were None. Just to limit myself to the Poirot mysteries, I don't think The Mysterious Affair at Styles is as good as The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Murder on the Orient Express, The ABC Murders, Death on the Nile or Five Little Pigs. But the good news is, if this is your introduction to Christie and you like this novel, well, even better awaits you!
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Subjects
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — Mystery — 1997)
Haycraft Queen Cornerstones (1920)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1920-10-01
Physical description
174 p.; 18.7 cm
Local notes
Omslag: Ikke angivet
Omslaget viser en væltet flaske, noget hår og nogle porcelænsskår
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
De trestjernede kriminalromaner, Agatha Christie, bind 36
Stylesmysteriet
Oversat fra engelsk "The Mysterious Affair at Styles" af Ellen Duurloo
Gutenberg, bind 863
I den engelske udgave: The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Side 12: V.A.D. er formentlig Voluntary Aid Detachment, dvs et frivilligt hjælpekorps. Agatha Christie var selv med i VAD.
Omslaget viser en væltet flaske, noget hår og nogle porcelænsskår
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
De trestjernede kriminalromaner, Agatha Christie, bind 36
Stylesmysteriet
Oversat fra engelsk "The Mysterious Affair at Styles" af Ellen Duurloo
Gutenberg, bind 863
I den engelske udgave: The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Side 12: V.A.D. er formentlig Voluntary Aid Detachment, dvs et frivilligt hjælpekorps. Agatha Christie var selv med i VAD.
Similar in this library
Series
Pages
174
DDC/MDS
| 823.912 |