Scan barcode
schloddeee's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
cozy book with a good plot.
people that say this book is too complicated should read evil under the sun. this book was the perfect level of complexity and simpleness as everything was thoroughly and at length explained to the reader.
i just love books where every little detail has its place in the end.
people that say this book is too complicated should read evil under the sun. this book was the perfect level of complexity and simpleness as everything was thoroughly and at length explained to the reader.
i just love books where every little detail has its place in the end.
newsteadlibrary's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
emmalouix's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bookmar0's review against another edition
3.0
j'ai beaucoup aimé mais il y a pas mal de longueurs et ça tourne parfois un peu trop en rond en voulant nous retourner le cerveau en nous disant que le coupable n'est pas le coupable bref à part ça les personnages étaient super intéressant et j'adore le fait que ce soit écrit à la première personne
benjaminj1996's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Believe me, I am a fan of Christie’s murder mysteries as well as the characters she creates. And I will give this book some credit for the creation of the character of Hercule Poirot who is at once great fun and very clever.
I have to say, though, the actual plot of this book was very boring. It was quite atmospheric at first but also suffered throughout from having too many character, none of which were particularly drawn in a way that had anything about them to even really notice, let alone care about. There were so many elements to the mystery that it just became a bit of a tangled mess to read. There were also multiple moments of overt racism against multiple groups of people including one use of a horribly racist slur.
And then there’s the lengthy courtroom scene which entirely failed to hold my interest. The resolution did make it necessary - as it did many (but not even all) of the elements in the book. But I must ask, if a clever resolution requires quite so many contrived and confusing elements that make no sense when actually reading the bulk of the book - is it worth it? For me, the end result is a jumbled mess of threads with no real hook until the very end - I much prefer Christie’s slightly later novels once the winning formula has been settled on to best serve her intelligent ideas (minus the racism) and great characters (minus the racism).
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
Agatha's Christie's first novel!
Hercule Poirot is a famous character. But when this book came out, he was just this strange little Belgian man who was supposedly good at solving mysteries. The mystery he has to solve this time is about a woman who is poisoned at the house Styles. The death takes place early in the morning, in the lady's room, with all the doors locked. And the suspects are the members of the house. Poirot is introduced to the case via a friend who was visiting Styles at the time of the murder, and who sees Poirot around town.
The story is told from the perspective of this friend, Hastings. And he's us! That's my favourite part of the book. Yes, I love the mystery, and I love trying to put the clues together. I also love the introduction to Poirot. And even the frustration of Poirot not telling us anything! But being the clueless POV characters was the most entertaining part.
You see, Hastings sees himself as a bit a sleuth himself. He's not as clever as Poirot though, and most of his deductions are incorrect. But he's always trying to figure out how the crime was committed and by whom. It's Christie's not-so-subtle way of putting the reader into the story because we, too, try to figure everything out, and end up being incorrect. Then Poirot makes us feel kinda dumb for thinking what we did, but we can't be mad because Poirot is such a likable character. And because we want to know who killed Mrs. Inglethorp. It's quite clever on the author's part.
The mystery itself is great as well. There is, per usual, a whole cast of characters. Some are likable, others are not, and yet others act in a strangely suspicious manner. We're given a lot of information, enough so that when Poirot finally explains, it all clicks.
I love this method of the author's, by the way. That while Poirot keeps what he's thinking to himself, we're not left with any dearth of facts. I don't if there's enough in there for the reader to come to the right conclusion, but it feels like there is, and that's what matters. It made this an interesting, engaging, and entertaining read. And since this is only my fourth Agatha Christie book, I'm looking forward to reading a lot more.
Hercule Poirot is a famous character. But when this book came out, he was just this strange little Belgian man who was supposedly good at solving mysteries. The mystery he has to solve this time is about a woman who is poisoned at the house Styles. The death takes place early in the morning, in the lady's room, with all the doors locked. And the suspects are the members of the house. Poirot is introduced to the case via a friend who was visiting Styles at the time of the murder, and who sees Poirot around town.
The story is told from the perspective of this friend, Hastings. And he's us! That's my favourite part of the book. Yes, I love the mystery, and I love trying to put the clues together. I also love the introduction to Poirot. And even the frustration of Poirot not telling us anything! But being the clueless POV characters was the most entertaining part.
You see, Hastings sees himself as a bit a sleuth himself. He's not as clever as Poirot though, and most of his deductions are incorrect. But he's always trying to figure out how the crime was committed and by whom. It's Christie's not-so-subtle way of putting the reader into the story because we, too, try to figure everything out, and end up being incorrect. Then Poirot makes us feel kinda dumb for thinking what we did, but we can't be mad because Poirot is such a likable character. And because we want to know who killed Mrs. Inglethorp. It's quite clever on the author's part.
The mystery itself is great as well. There is, per usual, a whole cast of characters. Some are likable, others are not, and yet others act in a strangely suspicious manner. We're given a lot of information, enough so that when Poirot finally explains, it all clicks.
I love this method of the author's, by the way. That while Poirot keeps what he's thinking to himself, we're not left with any dearth of facts. I don't if there's enough in there for the reader to come to the right conclusion, but it feels like there is, and that's what matters. It made this an interesting, engaging, and entertaining read. And since this is only my fourth Agatha Christie book, I'm looking forward to reading a lot more.
proflyer06's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jetttte's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
moodiereads's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was surely entertaining. For murder mystery novels like this readers love to make their own deductions and guess who the murderer is among the characters. I can say that Hercule Poirot led me round in circles in guessing who the criminal is. One moment you think of a person, the next he provides an alibi so you cross him out of the list of suspicious characters, but in the end the criminal is actually him.
Overall, this is a nice start to Hercule Poirot. He is a very eccentric man but you couldn’t deny his intelligence in deductions and his heart is giving a woman her happiness.
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Christie's first novel and the first in the Hercule Poirot historical mystery series revolving around that famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles was the result of a dare from her sister Madge who challenged her to write a story and introduced the unflappable Belgian sleuth who would set the standard for the modern murder mystery.
My Take
It's nice and all that Emily Cavendish is so active with and loves her charities as well as taking people in, if only she didn't "insist" on their being grateful for it. I hate people like that.
Hastings thinks he's all that, and Poirot goes on to show us how wrong Hastings is. Poor baby. And we know it all from Christie using first person subjective point-of-view from Hastings' perspective as he tries to get us to share his values and his assessment of his abilities, lol.
It's character-driven with most of the action revolving around Poirot's assessing their motivations with alibis galore, not all of which the characters share. Some of the choices made are odd and make the person appear more guilty. And of course, the guilt is being shared all around. Back histories pop up throughout, and all of this creates gaps that make it easier for Christie to confuse me.
It's all about the details.
The Story
Sent back to England from the First World War due to injury, Hastings is invited to spend his sick leave at beautiful Styles Court by his old friend John Cavendish.
Hastings meets again with John’s stepmother, Mrs Inglethorp, and with her new husband, Alfred. Despite the tranquil surroundings, it doesn't feel right, and when Mrs Inglethorp is found poisoned, suspicion falls on the family.
Luckily, an old friend of Hastings', Hercule Poirot, is invited to investigate.
The Characters
Hastings has been invalided out from the front and has a month to recuperate.
Monsieur Hercule Poirot is one of a group of Belgian refugees whom Emily Cavendish helped to escape from their country. They're all staying at Leastways Cottage.
Styles Court is . . .
. . . the Cavendish country house in Styles St Mary, Essex, bought by John and Lawrence's father but left to their self-absorbed stepmother, Emily, for her lifetime. John Cavendish, a friend of Hastings back when they were boys, had been a lawyer. Mary is John's wife. Lawrence is John's younger brother who had started in medicine but decided on literary pursuits. Cynthia Murdoch is an orphan Emily has taken in; Cynthia works as a pharmacist at the Red Cross Hospital at Tadminster.
Evelyn "Evie" Howard is Emily's companion. Alfred Inglethorp was recently hired as Emily's secretary, and she's since married him. Baily is the coachman? chauffeur? Dorcas is the parlourmaid; Annie is one of the housemaids; and, Elizabeth Wells is the second housemaid. Manning is the gardener; young William Earl is the under gardener.
Dr Bauerstein, an expert in poisons, is doing a rest cure in Styles St Mary. Farmer Raikes has a very pretty wife. Lady Tadminster and Mrs Crosbie are potentials for opening fêtes. Mrs Rolleston is Lady Tadminster's sister. Nibs is a fellow dispenser with whom Cynthia works. Dr Wilkins is the local physician. Denby is the Cavendish accountant. Mr Wells is the Cavendish lawyer; he's also the Coroner. Ross is a caterer in Tadminster. Albert Mace is the local chemist's assistant. Amy Hill is a shop assistant.
Scotland Yard
Detective Inspector James Japp remembers Poirot and various cases including the Abercombie forgery and Baron Altara. Superintendent Summerhaye has never worked with Poirot.
Sir Ernest Heavywether is the K.C. engaged for the defense. Mr Philips, K.C., is the prosecutor.
The Cover and Title
The cover is simple with an angled dividing line creating a cream upper and a grayed-green lower. In the center is a framed circle focusing on a wide-striped coffee cup on a saucer against a mottled green-and-white background. The title is centered in the top half in black. The author's name is in cream beneath the circle graphic. Beneath this is the publisher's information bracketed by a horizontal line above and below, also in cream.
The title is all about The Mysterious Affair at Styles where alibis and lives are all askew.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles was the result of a dare from her sister Madge who challenged her to write a story and introduced the unflappable Belgian sleuth who would set the standard for the modern murder mystery.
My Take
It's nice and all that Emily Cavendish is so active with and loves her charities as well as taking people in, if only she didn't "insist" on their being grateful for it. I hate people like that.
Hastings thinks he's all that, and Poirot goes on to show us how wrong Hastings is. Poor baby. And we know it all from Christie using first person subjective point-of-view from Hastings' perspective as he tries to get us to share his values and his assessment of his abilities, lol.
It's character-driven with most of the action revolving around Poirot's assessing their motivations with alibis galore, not all of which the characters share. Some of the choices made are odd and make the person appear more guilty. And of course, the guilt is being shared all around. Back histories pop up throughout, and all of this creates gaps that make it easier for Christie to confuse me.
It's all about the details.
The Story
Sent back to England from the First World War due to injury, Hastings is invited to spend his sick leave at beautiful Styles Court by his old friend John Cavendish.
Hastings meets again with John’s stepmother, Mrs Inglethorp, and with her new husband, Alfred. Despite the tranquil surroundings, it doesn't feel right, and when Mrs Inglethorp is found poisoned, suspicion falls on the family.
Luckily, an old friend of Hastings', Hercule Poirot, is invited to investigate.
The Characters
Hastings has been invalided out from the front and has a month to recuperate.
Monsieur Hercule Poirot is one of a group of Belgian refugees whom Emily Cavendish helped to escape from their country. They're all staying at Leastways Cottage.
Styles Court is . . .
. . . the Cavendish country house in Styles St Mary, Essex, bought by John and Lawrence's father but left to their self-absorbed stepmother, Emily, for her lifetime. John Cavendish, a friend of Hastings back when they were boys, had been a lawyer. Mary is John's wife. Lawrence is John's younger brother who had started in medicine but decided on literary pursuits. Cynthia Murdoch is an orphan Emily has taken in; Cynthia works as a pharmacist at the Red Cross Hospital at Tadminster.
Evelyn "Evie" Howard is Emily's companion. Alfred Inglethorp was recently hired as Emily's secretary, and she's since married him. Baily is the coachman? chauffeur? Dorcas is the parlourmaid; Annie is one of the housemaids; and, Elizabeth Wells is the second housemaid. Manning is the gardener; young William Earl is the under gardener.
Dr Bauerstein, an expert in poisons, is doing a rest cure in Styles St Mary. Farmer Raikes has a very pretty wife. Lady Tadminster and Mrs Crosbie are potentials for opening fêtes. Mrs Rolleston is Lady Tadminster's sister. Nibs is a fellow dispenser with whom Cynthia works. Dr Wilkins is the local physician. Denby is the Cavendish accountant. Mr Wells is the Cavendish lawyer; he's also the Coroner. Ross is a caterer in Tadminster. Albert Mace is the local chemist's assistant. Amy Hill is a shop assistant.
Scotland Yard
Detective Inspector James Japp remembers Poirot and various cases including the Abercombie forgery and Baron Altara. Superintendent Summerhaye has never worked with Poirot.
Sir Ernest Heavywether is the K.C. engaged for the defense. Mr Philips, K.C., is the prosecutor.
The Cover and Title
The cover is simple with an angled dividing line creating a cream upper and a grayed-green lower. In the center is a framed circle focusing on a wide-striped coffee cup on a saucer against a mottled green-and-white background. The title is centered in the top half in black. The author's name is in cream beneath the circle graphic. Beneath this is the publisher's information bracketed by a horizontal line above and below, also in cream.
The title is all about The Mysterious Affair at Styles where alibis and lives are all askew.