The Mysterious Affair at Styles
£0.90
Immerse yourself in the atmospheric English countryside, where the opulent Styles Court becomes the stage for a sinister crime. When the wealthy widow, Emily Inglethorp, is discovered lifeless in her bedroom, the idyllic estate is shrouded in a web of suspicion and deceit.
Enter Hercule Poirot, the brilliant Belgian detective with an unrivaled reputation for cracking the most perplexing cases. Poirot finds himself entangled in a perplexing maze of clues and motives, as he navigates the treacherous landscape of family secrets and hidden agendas.
As Poirot employs his razor-sharp intellect and astute observations, he unravels a tale of poison, betrayal, and hidden identities. Each twist and turn leads closer to the shocking truth, challenging readers to match wits with the master detective.
Agatha Christie, the undisputed queen of crime, weaves a captivating narrative that keeps readers guessing until the very last page. With her signature blend of intricate plotting, compelling characters, and unexpected revelations, “The Mysterious Affair at Styles” stands as a testament to Christie’s unparalleled storytelling prowess.
Prepare to embark on a riveting journey into a world of secrets and suspense. Can you unravel the enigma at Styles Court and uncover the identity of the cunning killer? The answer awaits in Agatha Christie’s timeless masterpiece, “The Mysterious Affair at Styles.”
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Additional information
| Publisher | Original Classic Editions (16 Nov. 2023) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 733 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 209 pages |
by Westcountrybookworm
I first read this decades ago, however, that did not spoil my enjoyment, if anything it has increased as their were details and sub-plots I had quite forgotten. I was impressed with how well written this book was as it is a first novel, the writing is assured and confident with well written characters and an enjoyable plot with well disguised and concealed clues. No wonder Agatha Christie went onto to become a world renowned author.
by Kindle Customer
This book is recommended for anyone who wants a quick read with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing ????
by smh
A great read rather than relying on the tv episodes to tell the story.
by James Watson
Pace and readability. Clarity of characters and believability of story and setting. Morality within the story and depth of characterisation.
by ND
“The Mysterious Affair at Styles” is a timeless masterpiece that has left me utterly captivated from start to finish. Agatha Christie’s first novel featuring the iconic Hercule Poirot is a true gem in the world of mystery fiction.
The intricate plot, the skillfully drawn characters, and the cleverly placed clues had me constantly guessing and second-guessing the outcome. Christie’s impeccable storytelling prowess weaves a web of suspense and intrigue that keeps you eagerly turning the pages.
Hercule Poirot, the brilliant Belgian detective, is a character for the ages, and his deductive methods are nothing short of extraordinary. His interactions with the other characters in the story are both charming and insightful, adding depth to the narrative.
I appreciate how the author engages the reader in the investigation, allowing us to play armchair detective alongside Poirot. The setting at Styles Court provides a rich and vivid backdrop for the unfolding drama.
If you’re a fan of classic mysteries, “The Mysterious Affair at Styles” is an absolute must-read. Agatha Christie’s cleverly crafted puzzle will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. I can’t recommend it enough for anyone who enjoys a good old-fashioned whodunit. This book is a true testament to the genius of Agatha Christie and deserves a place on every mystery lover’s bookshelf!
by Sheila
Hastings and Poirot are first introduced to us in this debut novel of Agatha Christie’s, and I found the story captivating. I loved the characterisation of the fastidious little Belgian detective and his rather dim but very loyal sidekick, who serves as narrator. Agatha had, with this first novel, already mastered the technique of clear delineation of characters by their very distinct speech patterns.
All the classic ingredients are here: the tricky, complicated family relationships, the elaborate and devious attempt at deception by the murderer and accomplice, and the painstaking attention to detail by Poirot – along with the failure of Hastings to pick up on anything important at all.
A delightful and compelling read, and I was fascinated to read Agatha’s original unpublished ending, then the one which the publisher suggested, and which she finally chose. At the end we are able to reflect upon how that decision to have Poirot call the family into the library to reveal the solution, was then to become Agatha’s most celebrated device, beloved by millions of readers throughout her prolific output, and over the next hundred years.
by Read and Reviewed
The Mysterious Affair at Styles was the very first Agatha Christie novel to be published and arose from a challenge set by her sister, Madge, to write a “good detective story”. At the time Christie was working in the dispensary of a local hospital and, as such, had a professional knowledge of poisons that was to pay dividends in both her first accepted manuscript and many of her future novels. Although she began writing this story in 1916 it was to be another four years before it was eventually published, albeit with the original courtroom scene revealing the murderer replaced at the request of her publishers. Christie’s proposed revision proved to be the first of many drawing room elucidations by the great Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot.
Styles is set in July 1917 and narrated by an invalided Captain Hastings who has returned from the Front to convalesce. When he bumps into old friend, John Cavendish, he gratefully accepts an offer to spend his final month of leave at Styles Court, the Essex country house of John’s stepmother. To all intents and purposes stepmother Emily raised John and his brother, Lawrence, and has always been more than fair to them, however a whirlwind courtship and sudden marriage to the twenty-years younger and highly sycophantic Alfred Inglethorp has rather poisoned the atmosphere with the man seen as a blatant gold digger. Resident at Styles St Mary are John Cavendish and his wife of two-years, the inscrutable and charming Mary, and John’s younger brother, Lawrence. Throw into the mix Mrs Emily Inglethorp’s trusted factotum, Miss Evelyn Howard, protégée Miss Cynthia Murdoch and a host of household staff and when Mrs Inglethorp is found dead the obvious culprit with a clear motive is swiftly identified as her new husband, Alfred. Thankfully Hercule Poirot is on hand due to his status as a refugee in a neighbouring village and it is Hasting’s who first proposes that the Belgian investigate the matter. Prepare for things to become far more complicated as a variety of locked doors, poisoned substances, rumoured liaisons and ulterior motives are unearthed ahead of Poirot making everything clear for Hastings (and readers alike).
The dandified master detective of Hercule Poirot is not only impeccably turned out but highly affected and tremendously self-confident and after Hastings engages his friend he is more than a tad miffed by Poirot’s reluctance to share all of his suspicions and insights. Through the medium of the far less ingenious Hastings as narrator, Agatha Christie makes the ongoing revelations brilliantly accessible thanks to his requirement for many an detailed explanation. Whilst the cast are perhaps less colourful and more forgettable than in other Christie novels, this allows Poirot to take centre stage in his inaugural outing. It is at the courtroom stage that an official from Scotland Yard appears in the form of Inspector Japp, whose only previous encounter with Poirot has left him more than willing to defer to the great man.
In a brilliantly complicated plot the means of death is quickly identified as poisoning, but how the substance was administered to the victim becomes pivotal in identifying the culprit. Packed to the rafters with red herrings, subtle insights on the wartime era and an insightful social commentary, whilst the solution to this case requires a technical knowledge of poisons and how fast they work, the majority of the clues are all contained within what unfolds (as Poirot is very fond of telling Hastings). Sadly I failed to adhere to an earlier lesson on Agatha Christie’s tremendous economy with words as I was left astounded by how a seemingly casual observation from Poirot came back to hit me between the eyes as it was pulled out of the bag some one-hundred pages or so later only for its relevance to become glaringly obvious!
Review written by Rachel Hall (@hallrachel)