The Mysterious Affair at Styles

By Agatha Christie

Read How You Want, (2010)

EasyRead Large Print, in 16 Point Font ISBN: 9781442934412

Genre: Mystery Reviewed by Auggie Moore - January 24, 2011

The Mysterious Affair at Styles is the first book in Agatha Christie's famed Poirot series. This story not only introduces the reader to Hercule Poirot, the famed Belgium detective, but also explains how Captain Hastings came to work with Poirot. Hastings, who narrates this mystery novel, once met Poirot in Belgium and was bitten by the desire to become a detective. As events unfold, Hastings's re-acquaintanceship with Poirot marks the beginning of a long and profitable association as Poirot's side-kick.

This novel is set in the waning days of World War one, and the mystery surrounds the poisoning of Mrs. Emily Inglethorp, who is the hostess and driving force at the Styles Court, a country estate that Hastings had visited often as a young man. Now, on convalescent leave from the army, he finds himself once again at Styles, enjoying the hospitality of the family and the closeness of friends after experiencing the horrors of the trenches in France. Shortly after Hastings's arrival at Styles, a charity event is thrown for the benefit of Belgium war refugees. Who should Hastings meet at the event, well none other than Hercule Poirot!

I don't want to say too much about the story itself, for fear that I will give something away. But suffice it to say that Poirot and Hastings will find a plethora of suspects, all with solid motives for the crime, and that Poirot will have to use all of his little grey cells to discern the truth of the matter and that Christie delivers a satisfying and rational conclusion to the tale.

This is one of Christie's earlier works, and it was first published in 1920. As such, it is not as refined as some of her later books, and though complex and full of red herrings, her plotting is not as strong as you'll find in most of her later books. Nonetheless, this is an entertaining book, and one that you'll have fun trying to figure out who 'did it' before Poirot does. Most important, this is an important book in the panoply of Poirot novels and it marks the first time that Poirot and Hastings worked together to solve a crime. As such it provides a number of insights into the back-stories, personalities, and unique detecting skills of both Poirot and Hastings. A must-read for fans of English country house murder mysteries and all Christie fans!