What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mysterious Affair at Styles / Poirot Investigates
This volume contains two of Agatha Christie's most famous
The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Poirot Investigates
Well-organized and consistent content.
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller; 15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English writer known for her sixty-six detective novels and fourteen short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, The Mousetrap, which was performed in the West End from 1952 to 2020, as well as six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Poirot Investigates
Well-organized and consistent content.
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller; 15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English writer known for her sixty-six detective novels and fourteen short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, The Mousetrap, which was performed in the West End from 1952 to 2020, as well as six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
376 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1978
8 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Christie
5,768 books75.6k followersAgatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 1, 2018
Agatha Christie's, "The Mysterious Affair at Styles," is the first in the Hercule Poirot series and like all the rest that followed it is absolutely fabulous. Wonderful story structure, beautifully written, and a wonderful cast of characters. Delightful!
February 9, 2023
Celebra autoare de carti politiste Agatha Christie ne propune inca un mister incalcit pe care numai inteligentul si meticulosul detectiv Hercule Poirot il poate rezolva.
Naratiunea se face la persoana intai de catre simpaticul capitan Hastings care fiind ranit usor pe front este trimis in concediu medical acasa. Tocmai atunci isi intalneste un prieten bun din copilarie, pe John Cavendish, care il invita sa stea la Styles Court, resedinta mamei sale din Essex. John ii relateaza ca au o viata destul de neplacuta acolo pentru ca mama sa vitrega, doamna Inglethorpe s-a recasatorit cu un barbat mai tanar ca ea si destul de ciudat, ce pare a fi un veritabil vanator de zestre.
Cand Hastings ajunge la Styles Court o cunoaste pe Evie Howard, dama de companie a stapanei, care este foarte inversunata impotriva tanarului sot al acesteia dar si pe sotia lui John, Mary Cavendish, o femeie frumoasa si placuta.
La ceai conversatia se indreapta spre crime si Hastings povesteste ca in Belgia a cunoscut un "omulet" remarcabil, "un dandy nemaipomenit de destept".
Aflam mai apoi ca la resedinta mai locuieste si o tanara fata, Cynthia Murdoch, o orfana saraca pe care doamna Inglethorpe o primeste din mila si care lucreaza pentru Crucea Rosie.
Pe langa aceste persoane in casa mai locuieste si fratele mai mic al lui John, Laurence Cavendish si din cand in cand mai soseste ca oaspete si un doctor expert in otravuri care este deosebit de apropiat de Mary Cavendish.
Si acum ca am apucat sa ii cunoastem pe toti si toate elementele esentiale se afla la locul lor suntem pregatiti pentru crima: doamna Inglethorpe este gasita otravita. Iar detectivul belgian Poirot vine sa investigheze aceasta misterioasa afacere de la Styles.
Avem de-a face cu prima carte din seria Hercule Poirot si este nimerit aici sa facem si portretul sau:
"Poirot era un omulet cu o infatisare extraordinara. Nu avea mai mult de un metru saizeci si doi, dar se comporta cu mare demnitate. Capul lui avea exact forma unui ou si mereu il tinea aplecat putin intr-o parte. Mustata ii era foarte teapana, cu un aer misterios. Aspectul ingrijit al hainelor sale era aproape incredibil; cred ca un fir de praf i-ar fi pricinuit o suferinta mai mare decat o rana de glont [...] In calitate de detectiv, manifestase un fler iesit din comun si obtinuse rezultate deosebite prin solutionarea unor cazuri dintre cele mai complicate."
M-a amuzat faptul ca de-a lungul cartii capitanul Hastings crede ca Poirot este ba ramolit, ba senil, ba ca si-a pierdut din talent, ba cateodata se crede chiar mai bun decat el:
"Obisnuia sa spuna ca toata munca de detectiv este doar o chestiune de metoda. Sistemul meu se bazeaza pe al lui - desi, bineinteles, eu am progresat oarecum dupa aceea."
In incheiere va invit asadar sa cititi primul volum din seria cu remarcabilul detectiv Poirot care cu siguranta va ajunge unul dintre detectivii vostrii de suflet si la care va veti intoarce de fiecare data cand veti dori sa cititi o intriga politista buna. Iata si cateva citate din intelepciunea lui Poirot in ceea ce priveste descifrarea unei crime pe care orice bun criminalist ar trebui sa le retina:
"Fereste-te de detectivul care spune: e foarte neinsemnat - nu conteaza. Nu corespunde. Il las la o parte. Metoda asta intretine confuzia! Toate lucrurile conteaza."
"Dai prea mult frau liber imaginatiei. Imaginatia este deopotriva o buna servitoare si o stapana rea. Cea mai simpla explicatie este aproape intotdeauna corecta."
"Totul trebuie luat in considerare. Daca faptele nu se potrivesc cu teoria, lasa teoria la o parte."
"Intodeauna este intelept sa suspectezi pe toata lumea pana cand te convingi pe deplin ca sunt nevinovati."
Naratiunea se face la persoana intai de catre simpaticul capitan Hastings care fiind ranit usor pe front este trimis in concediu medical acasa. Tocmai atunci isi intalneste un prieten bun din copilarie, pe John Cavendish, care il invita sa stea la Styles Court, resedinta mamei sale din Essex. John ii relateaza ca au o viata destul de neplacuta acolo pentru ca mama sa vitrega, doamna Inglethorpe s-a recasatorit cu un barbat mai tanar ca ea si destul de ciudat, ce pare a fi un veritabil vanator de zestre.
Cand Hastings ajunge la Styles Court o cunoaste pe Evie Howard, dama de companie a stapanei, care este foarte inversunata impotriva tanarului sot al acesteia dar si pe sotia lui John, Mary Cavendish, o femeie frumoasa si placuta.
La ceai conversatia se indreapta spre crime si Hastings povesteste ca in Belgia a cunoscut un "omulet" remarcabil, "un dandy nemaipomenit de destept".
Aflam mai apoi ca la resedinta mai locuieste si o tanara fata, Cynthia Murdoch, o orfana saraca pe care doamna Inglethorpe o primeste din mila si care lucreaza pentru Crucea Rosie.
Pe langa aceste persoane in casa mai locuieste si fratele mai mic al lui John, Laurence Cavendish si din cand in cand mai soseste ca oaspete si un doctor expert in otravuri care este deosebit de apropiat de Mary Cavendish.
Si acum ca am apucat sa ii cunoastem pe toti si toate elementele esentiale se afla la locul lor suntem pregatiti pentru crima: doamna Inglethorpe este gasita otravita. Iar detectivul belgian Poirot vine sa investigheze aceasta misterioasa afacere de la Styles.
Avem de-a face cu prima carte din seria Hercule Poirot si este nimerit aici sa facem si portretul sau:
"Poirot era un omulet cu o infatisare extraordinara. Nu avea mai mult de un metru saizeci si doi, dar se comporta cu mare demnitate. Capul lui avea exact forma unui ou si mereu il tinea aplecat putin intr-o parte. Mustata ii era foarte teapana, cu un aer misterios. Aspectul ingrijit al hainelor sale era aproape incredibil; cred ca un fir de praf i-ar fi pricinuit o suferinta mai mare decat o rana de glont [...] In calitate de detectiv, manifestase un fler iesit din comun si obtinuse rezultate deosebite prin solutionarea unor cazuri dintre cele mai complicate."
M-a amuzat faptul ca de-a lungul cartii capitanul Hastings crede ca Poirot este ba ramolit, ba senil, ba ca si-a pierdut din talent, ba cateodata se crede chiar mai bun decat el:
"Obisnuia sa spuna ca toata munca de detectiv este doar o chestiune de metoda. Sistemul meu se bazeaza pe al lui - desi, bineinteles, eu am progresat oarecum dupa aceea."
In incheiere va invit asadar sa cititi primul volum din seria cu remarcabilul detectiv Poirot care cu siguranta va ajunge unul dintre detectivii vostrii de suflet si la care va veti intoarce de fiecare data cand veti dori sa cititi o intriga politista buna. Iata si cateva citate din intelepciunea lui Poirot in ceea ce priveste descifrarea unei crime pe care orice bun criminalist ar trebui sa le retina:
"Fereste-te de detectivul care spune: e foarte neinsemnat - nu conteaza. Nu corespunde. Il las la o parte. Metoda asta intretine confuzia! Toate lucrurile conteaza."
"Dai prea mult frau liber imaginatiei. Imaginatia este deopotriva o buna servitoare si o stapana rea. Cea mai simpla explicatie este aproape intotdeauna corecta."
"Totul trebuie luat in considerare. Daca faptele nu se potrivesc cu teoria, lasa teoria la o parte."
"Intodeauna este intelept sa suspectezi pe toata lumea pana cand te convingi pe deplin ca sunt nevinovati."
October 29, 2020
I’d known about Agatha Christie’s books, but I’d never read one until I picked up The Mysterious Affair at Styles. Published in 1920, it is Christie’s debut detective novel and is set in England, outside London. Christie introduces her now well-known character, Hercule Poirot, a Belgian refugee and “one of the most celebrated members of the Belgian police.” Poirot became a long-running character in Christie’s writings and appeared in thirty-three novels, two plays and more than fifty short stories.
In this story, Poirot investigates the poisoning death of Mrs. Emily Inglethorp at the family estate, Styles Court in Essex. Emily’s two stepsons and others at Styles are convinced that Alfred Inglethorp, their mother’s new and much younger husband, is the killer. And he has a motive, they believe: Emily’s fortune. As a favor to his friend Hastings, also a guest at Styles and narrator of this story, Poirot investigates Emily’s death. Hastings is recovering from war wounds thanks to John’s hospitality and has always wanted to be a detective. He happily becomes Poirot’s eager assistant.
In a thorough and sometimes indirect and mysterious style, Poirot interviews family members and guests including stepsons John and Lawrence Cavendish; John’s wife, Mary; Emily’s loyal friend, Evie Howard; and Emily’s protégé, Cynthia Murdoch. Maids and gardeners also share important clues and Christie includes helpful floorplans to explain the layout of the house, crucial to understanding the events of Emily’s death.
One of the major issues is Emily’s will. There have been many versions and a last-minute revision. No one is sure what changes have been made and a lot is at stake. John and Lawrence, country squires, have no real source of income and they also fall under suspicion. Another fact to sort out is the strychnine that killed Emily. How was she poisoned and who acquired the strychnine? There are several possibilities. A curious side character is Dr. Bauerstein, who happens to be a poison expert. He’s staying in the village while recovering from a nervous breakdown.
Hastings may be Poirot’s helper, but Poirot likes to keep his ideas close to the vest, leaving Hastings, and the reader, in the dark for periods of time. He gets it all right, of course, in genius style because he quietly notices details and considers possibilities others have discarded. Poirot’s methods are amusing to witness because they show how people become frustrated when they don’t get immediate answers.
I enjoyed reading this mystery, which is not solved until the final pages, but which Poirot fully explains to his naïve assistant.
I must mention, however, several racist characterizations in the book, something Christie has been criticized for and which are completely unnecessary to the storyline. Although I’m unsure of when this happened, the Anti-Defamation League complained about Christie and American publishers were allowed to remove offensive descriptions from some of her books. There are several articles about Christie's depictions.
ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes and Reviews, May 14, 2018: “The erasure of race in Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None by Blake Allmendinger”
The New Yorker, August 16, 2010: “Queen of Crime - How Agatha Christie created the modern murder mystery” by Joan Acocella
Canadian Jewish News, January 23, 2020: “Was Agatha Christie an Anti-Semite?” by Michael Taube
So although The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a clever story and marks the introduction of Poirot’s character, these comments took away from my reading experience.
In this story, Poirot investigates the poisoning death of Mrs. Emily Inglethorp at the family estate, Styles Court in Essex. Emily’s two stepsons and others at Styles are convinced that Alfred Inglethorp, their mother’s new and much younger husband, is the killer. And he has a motive, they believe: Emily’s fortune. As a favor to his friend Hastings, also a guest at Styles and narrator of this story, Poirot investigates Emily’s death. Hastings is recovering from war wounds thanks to John’s hospitality and has always wanted to be a detective. He happily becomes Poirot’s eager assistant.
In a thorough and sometimes indirect and mysterious style, Poirot interviews family members and guests including stepsons John and Lawrence Cavendish; John’s wife, Mary; Emily’s loyal friend, Evie Howard; and Emily’s protégé, Cynthia Murdoch. Maids and gardeners also share important clues and Christie includes helpful floorplans to explain the layout of the house, crucial to understanding the events of Emily’s death.
One of the major issues is Emily’s will. There have been many versions and a last-minute revision. No one is sure what changes have been made and a lot is at stake. John and Lawrence, country squires, have no real source of income and they also fall under suspicion. Another fact to sort out is the strychnine that killed Emily. How was she poisoned and who acquired the strychnine? There are several possibilities. A curious side character is Dr. Bauerstein, who happens to be a poison expert. He’s staying in the village while recovering from a nervous breakdown.
Hastings may be Poirot’s helper, but Poirot likes to keep his ideas close to the vest, leaving Hastings, and the reader, in the dark for periods of time. He gets it all right, of course, in genius style because he quietly notices details and considers possibilities others have discarded. Poirot’s methods are amusing to witness because they show how people become frustrated when they don’t get immediate answers.
I enjoyed reading this mystery, which is not solved until the final pages, but which Poirot fully explains to his naïve assistant.
I must mention, however, several racist characterizations in the book, something Christie has been criticized for and which are completely unnecessary to the storyline. Although I’m unsure of when this happened, the Anti-Defamation League complained about Christie and American publishers were allowed to remove offensive descriptions from some of her books. There are several articles about Christie's depictions.
ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes and Reviews, May 14, 2018: “The erasure of race in Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None by Blake Allmendinger”
The New Yorker, August 16, 2010: “Queen of Crime - How Agatha Christie created the modern murder mystery” by Joan Acocella
Canadian Jewish News, January 23, 2020: “Was Agatha Christie an Anti-Semite?” by Michael Taube
So although The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a clever story and marks the introduction of Poirot’s character, these comments took away from my reading experience.
May 7, 2025
Reading The Mysterious Affair at Styles by link: Agatha Christie felt like being invited to a proper old-school murder mystery party—except everyone’s a suspect, and no one is exactly who they seem. This was my first trip with Hercule Poirot, and honestly?I’m already booking the next one.
Set in a grand English country house during World War I, the story kicks off with the sudden poisoning of the wealthy matriarch, Mrs. Inglethorp. It’s classic Christie: a locked estate, a tangle of motives, secret relationships, and a will no one quite understands.
Enter Poirot—small, neat, all mustache and method. He’s clever, polite, and always a few steps ahead, even when it seems like he’s just fussing with his tie. I found myself guessing, re-guessing, and then throwing up my hands. Christie doesn’t just outsmart you—she enjoys it.
What I loved most was the pacing. Every chapter drops a new clue, a fresh twist, or a suspicious glance. Even the narrator, Hastings, feels like he’s solving it alongside you—which made it all the more fun.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a perfect introduction to Christie’s brilliant plotting and Poirot’s unforgettable charm. It’s smart, tricky, and satisfying. The ending? Totally earned. I closed the book smiling—and a little annoyed I didn’t see it coming.
Set in a grand English country house during World War I, the story kicks off with the sudden poisoning of the wealthy matriarch, Mrs. Inglethorp. It’s classic Christie: a locked estate, a tangle of motives, secret relationships, and a will no one quite understands.
Enter Poirot—small, neat, all mustache and method. He’s clever, polite, and always a few steps ahead, even when it seems like he’s just fussing with his tie. I found myself guessing, re-guessing, and then throwing up my hands. Christie doesn’t just outsmart you—she enjoys it.
What I loved most was the pacing. Every chapter drops a new clue, a fresh twist, or a suspicious glance. Even the narrator, Hastings, feels like he’s solving it alongside you—which made it all the more fun.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a perfect introduction to Christie’s brilliant plotting and Poirot’s unforgettable charm. It’s smart, tricky, and satisfying. The ending? Totally earned. I closed the book smiling—and a little annoyed I didn’t see it coming.
July 4, 2023
The debut and the first in the long illustrious career of the Queen of Mystery, The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a surprise with great characters and intricate details by a debut author. People love Christie’s books because her plots and characters stand out, and that is on display over here throughout the book.
This is her first case that introduced Hercule Poirot to the world, and, as usual, the short Belgian and his trusted loyal friend, Captain Arthur Hastings, does not disappoint. A death of a lady, a dreadful case, and the usage of grey cells, the book had everything that will go on to become the most recognisable Christie trademarks.
The book is excellent as a debut. It is well thought through, the writing is clear, and the pace is entertaining. The characters are all interesting, too, which became Christie’s biggest strength going forward. Christie takes you to a beautiful journey of deduction, and you will never say no to her works ever again.
Little more than 100 years ago, read the first and brilliant debut by an author who would go on to change the landscape of storytelling and would deliver masterpieces one after another. Read this one for the surprise ending it offers, which started the talk about Dame Agatha Christie in the literary circles.
Follow us on - https://www.instagram.com/the_book_ta...
This is her first case that introduced Hercule Poirot to the world, and, as usual, the short Belgian and his trusted loyal friend, Captain Arthur Hastings, does not disappoint. A death of a lady, a dreadful case, and the usage of grey cells, the book had everything that will go on to become the most recognisable Christie trademarks.
The book is excellent as a debut. It is well thought through, the writing is clear, and the pace is entertaining. The characters are all interesting, too, which became Christie’s biggest strength going forward. Christie takes you to a beautiful journey of deduction, and you will never say no to her works ever again.
Little more than 100 years ago, read the first and brilliant debut by an author who would go on to change the landscape of storytelling and would deliver masterpieces one after another. Read this one for the surprise ending it offers, which started the talk about Dame Agatha Christie in the literary circles.
Follow us on - https://www.instagram.com/the_book_ta...
December 5, 2022
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.
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.
October 2, 2021
This is a classic murder mystery, which introduces Hercules Poirot and Mr. Hastings as lead characters. As Dame Agatha Christie's first novel, she hadn't established her formula yet. Some details about Poirot don't jive with later books, but it didn't bother me much.
This novel has a great setting, plausible scenario and,lots of twists. A definite good weekend read.
This novel has a great setting, plausible scenario and,lots of twists. A definite good weekend read.
November 19, 2024
Huh! That was quick and enjoyable. For a classic this such a light read! French phrases can be easily translated when you use Kindle. I surely do enjoyed it.
My Hercule Poirot adventure begins now!
My Hercule Poirot adventure begins now!
July 27, 2023
Love, love, love
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews