The Mysterious Affair at Styles: Poirot's First Case (The Hercule Poirot Mysteries)

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars | 29,108 ratings

Price: 1.99

Last update: 02-02-2025


About this item

The debut of Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Agatha Christie and her remarkable Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot 

Invalided home from the Western Front, Arthur Hastings arrives at Styles Court anticipating a relaxing sojourn in the English countryside. It turns out to be anything but. Late one night, Hastings is summoned to the locked bedroom door of Emily Inglethorp, mistress of the manor. A terrible commotion is happening inside, and by the time her family forces the door open it is too late—Emily is in the final, violent throes of strychnine poisoning and nothing can save her.

As fate would have it, Belgium’s most celebrated detective, a refugee from the war, resides in the neighboring village. Hercule Poirot may look, in the words of Hastings, like a “quaint dandyfied little man,” but he possesses one of the finest minds in Europe and an extraordinary flair for solving the most baffling of cases. Half a dozen people—including Alfred, Emily’s much younger second husband; her slacker stepsons, John and Lawrence; and Mary, her beautiful but bored daughter-in-law—had the means and the motive to poison Emily. While Hastings and the rest of Styles Court rush to judgment, Poirot painstakingly sifts through the clues and considers each of the suspects in turn. The answer at which he arrives will shock them all.

Agatha Christie wrote The Mysterious Affair at Styles because her sister wagered that she could not plot a mystery. Not only did Christie win that bet, she created one of the greatest detectives in all of literature and established herself as the undisputed Queen of Crime.

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Sheila M
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic for a Reason
    Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2024
    Agatha Christie's debut novel, THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES, is a fantastic introduction to the world of classic detective fiction. The fact that it feels so familiar is a testament to Christie's influence over the entire genre of mystery fiction. This book introduces readers to the iconic detective Hercule Poirot, whose razor-sharp intellect and distinctive mannerisms continue to captivate audiences today.

    Set against the backdrop of a grand English country house during World War I, Christie weaves an intricate plot filled with red herrings, suspicious characters, and clever misdirection. The murder of the wealthy Emily Inglethorp sets the stage for a puzzling mystery that keeps readers guessing until the end.

    Christie's writing is crisp and engaging, with vivid descriptions that bring the setting and characters to life. Her ability to craft complex yet believable characters shines through as each suspect harbors secrets and potential motives for the crime.

    The introduction of Captain Hastings as the narrator provides an excellent foil for Poirot's brilliant deductions, allowing readers to experience the investigation through the eyes of a more relatable character. This narrative choice adds depth to the story and helps build suspense as the plot unfolds and, of course, allows Christie to keep ultimate solution from the reader until Poirot reveals all at the end.

    Even though the reader is not privy to Poirot's thinking, the clues are meticulously laid out, challenging readers to solve the puzzle alongside Poirot. The final revelation is surprising and satisfying, showcasing Christie's talent for constructing mysteries that stand up to scrutiny.

    This book is not only an excellent mystery in its own right but also lays the foundation for many of the elements that would become hallmarks of Christie's work, including her keen understanding of human nature and ability to craft fiendishly clever plots.

    I read this book after reading a biography of Christie and her work during World War I in a hospital pharmacy clearly lays the foundation for this story in interesting ways.
  • Noonski
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Classic!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2014
    If you’re an avid reader you’ll probably relate to this: that empty feeling you get after reading a really excellent book. You wander around, wondering if it will ever be possible to find another excellent book. You know that it might take you some time to find another really excellent book because there are lots of not-so-good books out there.

    When I have that experience, I reach for an Agatha Christie novel.

    I read my first Christie book back in the early 80s, when I was a teenager (the first Christie I read was “Curtain”, Christies last book). I’ve read them all several times over the years. I don’t read them because they are excellent (there are only a few I’d consider as a 5-star read). I read them because Christie was good at telling a story. Sure, some of her characterizations may be a little two-dimensional, and some of them are less interesting than others. But, still: Christie had a way of getting you to turn the pages.

    I’ve decided that perhaps it is time for me to read Christie in order. Not that her series needs to be read in order, like many of the modern detective novels do. There’s little in the way of backstory for Poirot or Miss Marple, so there is really no need to read them in order. It’s more of an experiment, really: to watch her writing style, to see if it changes as she becomes more famous.

    Hence, “The Mysterious Affair at Styles,” Dame Agatha’s first book, in which we meet the man who (thanks to David Suchet’s definitive portrayal) is now world famous: Hercule Poirot.

    Poirot is a retired Belgian policeman, now a displaced refugee (the book was written, and takes place during the years of the First World War) who has only recently arrived in England, and is living in the village of Styles St. Mary. A chance encounter with an old friend, Hastings --who is staying at Styles Court, a guest of the Cavendish family – places Poirot on the scene for the first murder he’ll solve in England: the death of Emily Cavendish, the wealthy owner of Styles Court.

    Compared to the more action-oriented plots of many of today’s mysteries, Christie’s tales are much more leisurely. In this story, the only real action is Poirot, dashing like a madman, trying to find a car to take him to London to search for more information. Other than that, the story unfolds at Styles Court.

    Others have given more story details, so I’ll stick to the merits. First, and foremost, is Poirot. His characteristic egoism, his funny mannerisms, his little grey cells, all combine to make one of detective fiction’s most memorable characters. And, like the great Sherlock Holmes, Poirot has a sidekick in Hastings, the one who’s always a few steps behind, while thinking that perhaps Poirot has finally gotten too old. (As a side note: Hastings does not appear in all of the Poirot novels).

    This story, like most of Christie’s tales involve a small handful of suspects, each with motive for murder and plenty of red-herrings. But in the end, Poirot proves that he still has what it takes to solve a complex, devious crime.
    As I finished reading this book I was surprised that it didn’t feel dated. It reads more like historical fiction than a dated Cold War spy novel. Sure, there’s still servants, and not always a phone; cars and gas can be tough to come by. But, the overall feel of the story feels relatively timeless: love, revenge, hidden passions, and deep secrets never seem to age. It would take very little to change this to a tale set in the present day.

    The story moves quickly, though there is a part in the middle where things seem to bog down a little, but, in a book that’s less than 300 pages long, the story picks up again.

    One of the fascinating things about rereading Christie is seeing how good she was at dropping clues and of willfully misdirecting the reader along the way.

    With the exception of Poirot’s last case, “Curtain”, there really is no need to read them in order, but, if you’re new to Christie, why not start with this one: the one that started it all.
  • Jeffrey S. Skott
    5.0 out of 5 stars another wonderful AC read!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2025
    This is definitely a must read for Agatha Christie fans as you get the first Poirot story. On the iPad Kindle app, the voice acting was great (Kindle Unlimited included audio) but my wife’s kindle on android phone just had very limited audio. I preferred the full audio experience, and this book's edition definitely does come with that. Quite wonderful and worth the 200+ pages to get there. Im off to the next Poirot adventure. I wonder who he'll use ad his foil in the next book. Poor Hastings.
    …Affair at Styles is definitely worth your time!

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