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30th out of 3,368 books
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7,797 voters
The Mysterious Affair At Styles (Hercule Poirot #1)
The famous case that launched the career of Hercule Poirot. When a wealthy heiress is murdered, Poirot steps out of retirement to find the killer. As the master detective makes his way through the list of suspects, he finds the solution in an elaborately planned scheme almost impossible to believe.
Paperback, 294 pages
Published
October 24th 2002
by Deodand Publishing
(first published 1920)
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You are Captain Arthur Hastings, and you are slowly falling in love with a Belgian. The feelings are embarrassing at first; you find the Belgian himself to be quite an embarrassment. But there is just something about him. Could it be his suave, continental sense of humor... his keen sense of justice... his shapely, rubenesque figure? Or is it simply his hypnotic mustache, perhaps? The passion develops in fits and starts. You don’t want to love him, you really don’t. You...more
You are Captain Arthur Hastings, and you are slowly falling in love with a Belgian. The feelings are embarrassing at first; you find the Belgian himself to be quite an embarrassment. But there is just something about him. Could it be his suave, continental sense of humor... his keen sense of justice... his shapely, rubenesque figure? Or is it simply his hypnotic mustache, perhaps? The passion develops in fits and starts. You don’t want to love him, you really don’t. You...more
The Mysterious Affair at Styles was a fun quick read. This book is Agatha Christie’s first published novel and the first to feature the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. Beloved by many for being a completely pompous prig, this character launched Christie’s career and ultimately resulted in her books being the most widely read in history selling millions of copies. This author, perhaps being outsold only by Shakespeare or the Bible, has to have been doing something right.
In this debut no...more
In this debut no...more
Oct 21, 2010
Dina
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery-thrillers,
to-blog
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
"Dear me, Poirot," I said with a sigh, "I think you have explained everything! And how wonderful of you to wait until page 230 to finally shed light on all your absurd behavior throughout the book, and to justify and the red herrings and narrative padding! But of course, it could only be so in the classic style of a fiendish murder mystery! Why, in fact, though this is but the first case we have solved together, I have no doubt we could do the exact same thing as many as 86 more times, depending...more
Hastings was enjoying quite a lovely stay at Styles Court until Lady Emily mysteriously dies. She went up to her room and was assumed to be alone so no one has the slightest clue as to what could have happened. Fortunately Hercule Poirot steps in to assist...
Jan 16, 2013
Stela
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
detective-stories,
reviews
To say that Doyle and Christie are mystery masters is almost a truism, since you find in their novels all ingredients to sustain this affirmation: perfect plot, charming weird detective, exquisite writing, interesting characters.
So it's no wonder that for me, a successful detective story has somehow to fall into a pattern they established a long time ago: clues gathered by a sharp mind, apparent contradictions and /or mistakes, dramatic turn of events and of course the big finale: the last reun...more
So it's no wonder that for me, a successful detective story has somehow to fall into a pattern they established a long time ago: clues gathered by a sharp mind, apparent contradictions and /or mistakes, dramatic turn of events and of course the big finale: the last reun...more
When a war wearied Captain Hastings is furloughed for a rest cure he accepts an invitation from an old friend to spend some time convalescing at Styles. He's all too happy to accept and is surprised to learn that an old acquaintance, a retired Belgian police inspector is a war refugee staying nearby. But when Hastings finds that his hostess has been murdered he enlists the aid of his old acquaintance Hurcule Poirot to investigate.
Just finished this and I have to say that I enjoyed it more than...more
Just finished this and I have to say that I enjoyed it more than...more
Feb 05, 2012
James
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
crime,
4-stars,
i-own-a-copy,
read-in-2012,
read-in-teenties,
ebook,
reviewed,
hercule-poirot,
freebie
I hadn't read any Agatha Christie before, which seems odd as my parents were fans and I remember the books being around the house. However I've been a huge fan of the TV adaptations with David Suchet. The beginning seemed like the best place to start (it normally is with books). Both the first Christie novel and Hercule Poirot's first investigation, at least the first documented by Christie through the pen of the charming, if dim, Lieutenant Hastings. With the arrival of Inspector Japp as well,...more
I had never read the introducton of the characher of Hercule Poirot before. I was actually quite engrossed for a very brief period, as the book was short enough, but my love of Inspector Poirot shall continue to the day I die....and hopefully, if I am murdered, someone equally as interesting will solve it!
I would say I liked her other books more. This one was good but somewhat convoluted and I was not very much impressed with this. I have read a story of Holmes on a murder due to poisoning and I would say that was much better. I love Holmes and he is my most fav detective ever! She even mentions Sherlock Holmes in this book.
Updated:
The TV series episode was much better. I actually liked the story and the plot after watching it :P
Updated:
The TV series episode was much better. I actually liked the story and the plot after watching it :P
Oct 03, 2012
jzhunagev
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to jzhunagev by:
the "Voice"
My First Affair with Hercule Poirot
(A Book Review of Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious Affairs at Styles)
Written as an outcome of a bet in which “the reader would not be able to spot the criminal”, Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious Affair of Styles, published in 1921, is the first published work by the author that not only introduces what will become her trademark for ingenious plotting as well as the egg-shaped head, quirky and well-groomed Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, one of the beloved sle...more
How did I go for so long without reading an Agatha Christie?! I wish I'd picked one up sooner! I figured my first read should be the first book published (I have an OCDish need to read books in order) and I have to say that this is a fantastic debut novel. Most authors' work gets better with time - if Christie gets better than this then I have some treats in store!
Long story cut short:- Mrs Inglethorp, the old lady owner of Styles Court, suffers a violent fit early one morning and dies. It appea...more
Long story cut short:- Mrs Inglethorp, the old lady owner of Styles Court, suffers a violent fit early one morning and dies. It appea...more
Given how many of Agatha Christie's works I read as an adolescent, I was somewhat astounded to realize as I read that I had not read The Mysterious Affair at Styles. Written in 1916 and set during the first World War, it introduces us to both Hastings and Hercule Poirot. Like the first Miss Marple book, it is primarily fascinating because of the "origin story" aspect. Both characters became more fascinating over time as Christie developed them. That being said, this was a delightful read filled...more
After deciding to finally see what all the fuss was about..I was left to pleasantly agree with the hype. Agatha Christie is fantastic..I absolutely loved this book!
Although the characterisation is lacking in this book as opposed to some of the character developments you get in other books, its fine in this novel as their really isn't any room for character development. This is clearly a plot driven book..and isnt worse off for it!
Throughout the whole book, I contemplated various scenarios, vario...more
Although the characterisation is lacking in this book as opposed to some of the character developments you get in other books, its fine in this novel as their really isn't any room for character development. This is clearly a plot driven book..and isnt worse off for it!
Throughout the whole book, I contemplated various scenarios, vario...more
A long time ago, I read pretty much very Poirot book Agatha Christie wrote, and loved every single one of them, until that fateful last tale, which left me so annoyed I swore off this type of books forever. Well, "forever" turned out to be about 15 years.
Re-reading this first adventure of Poirot and Hastings was interesting, even though it was never my favorite tale, especially because the characters still seem a bit underdeveloped, a bit... cardboard-ish. But then again, it is only the first st...more
Re-reading this first adventure of Poirot and Hastings was interesting, even though it was never my favorite tale, especially because the characters still seem a bit underdeveloped, a bit... cardboard-ish. But then again, it is only the first st...more
La storia mi è piaciuta molto, e non ci sono troppi spiegoni chilometrici alla Sherlock-style su come è avvenuto il delitto e su come è stato risolto: la 4 stelletta comunque se la meritano tutta sia il capitano Hastings, che in alcuni momenti è uno spasso assoluto, sia Poirot, che è davvero imprevedibile, a tratti dignitoso, a tratti pomposo, a tratti comico...
Purtroppo ho trovato la traduzione in italiano abbastanza scadente, se confrontata con l'originale... In alcuni punti addirittura si son...more
Purtroppo ho trovato la traduzione in italiano abbastanza scadente, se confrontata con l'originale... In alcuni punti addirittura si son...more
It was about time I finally got around to reading Hercule Poirot's first public appearance. I've always enjoyed (or "crushed on" would be more appropriate) the Sherlock Holmes stories and figured I should someday branch out and see what other "classic" mystery writers do. I've seen a few movies based on Agatha Christie's books and have thoroughly enjoyed them, so it's about time I picked up an actual book.
Since I have no other Agatha Christie book to compare this to, I can say that while the sto...more
Since I have no other Agatha Christie book to compare this to, I can say that while the sto...more
I had read this book long ago, when I was in the eighth standard. That was in 2000, more than a decade ago. At that time I was not much impressed by it. I found the ending to be silly and had the opinion that Christie had written better whodunits than this one.
After 12 years, I still hold on the idea that Christie had written better novels, but with certain modifications to that view.
This one may not be her finest, but certainly this one is one of the most significant of her works, aside from th...more
After 12 years, I still hold on the idea that Christie had written better novels, but with certain modifications to that view.
This one may not be her finest, but certainly this one is one of the most significant of her works, aside from th...more
We meet again, captain Hastings, and I still don't like you!
The mystery is entertaining, with a lot of very suspicious suspects (mmmyum), but I am just so put off by Hastings POV... He is very present in the narrative, by giving personal opinions about people and situations (biased and ungrounded, like "ooh but she's pretty and I fancy her and as such she MUST be innocent", and thus annoying), and conferring his private (uninformed) suspicions. Not even his friend Poirot holds this man's facult...more
The mystery is entertaining, with a lot of very suspicious suspects (mmmyum), but I am just so put off by Hastings POV... He is very present in the narrative, by giving personal opinions about people and situations (biased and ungrounded, like "ooh but she's pretty and I fancy her and as such she MUST be innocent", and thus annoying), and conferring his private (uninformed) suspicions. Not even his friend Poirot holds this man's facult...more
Jan 15, 2013
Krisi Keley
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
crime,
mystery-suspense
I really enjoyed the story, as I have all of the Agatha Christie books I've read, but this edition (although mine has a different cover) seemed to have a couple of minor editing issues, particularly with Poirot's Frenchisms (or Belgianisms, to be completely accurate). It's possible these errors (?) were in the original, but since there was at least one other editing problem with a misplaced (English) word, I'm not sure. The (alleged) mistake that shows up most often is the use of the plural amis...more
Full Disclosure: I actually read this in The Mysterious Affair at Styles and The Secret Adversary
(A collection of novels should not force me to count all of the novels as one for the sake of the reading challenge.)
This the first novel from Agatha Christie, and the first Hercule Poirot appearance -- it's all very exciting! The lady of the house dies. Who did it? And Why?
I don't know that I could have put 2+2 together completely, I didn't feel like it was out of the blue. A good read, an intere...more
(A collection of novels should not force me to count all of the novels as one for the sake of the reading challenge.)This the first novel from Agatha Christie, and the first Hercule Poirot appearance -- it's all very exciting! The lady of the house dies. Who did it? And Why?
I don't know that I could have put 2+2 together completely, I didn't feel like it was out of the blue. A good read, an intere...more
It has taken me awhile to actually read anything by Agatha Christie (except for Murder on the Orient Express). I had always heard good things and now I can understand why. While this is a classic mystery her writing is remarkable, especially since this is her first novel.
Hastings is visiting some old friends when suddenly the mother of his friend dies (very dramatically). An inquest begins and Hastings calls on his Belgian friend Poirot who happens to be in town to come and investigate. Poirot l...more
Hastings is visiting some old friends when suddenly the mother of his friend dies (very dramatically). An inquest begins and Hastings calls on his Belgian friend Poirot who happens to be in town to come and investigate. Poirot l...more
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Mais um típico mistério acolhedor à la Agatha Christie: uma família não propriamente unida, devastada por um assassínio aparentemente insolúvel, sendo os habitantes da casa de Styles os únicos suspeitos. John Cavendish, cujo pai casou com Emily, deixando-lhe todas as suas vastas posses, e a sua bela esposa; o novo marido de Emily; a criada de Emily; o peculiar irmão de John; a jovem protegida de Emily; todos estes são os possíveis culpados...more
Mais um típico mistério acolhedor à la Agatha Christie: uma família não propriamente unida, devastada por um assassínio aparentemente insolúvel, sendo os habitantes da casa de Styles os únicos suspeitos. John Cavendish, cujo pai casou com Emily, deixando-lhe todas as suas vastas posses, e a sua bela esposa; o novo marido de Emily; a criada de Emily; o peculiar irmão de John; a jovem protegida de Emily; todos estes são os possíveis culpados...more
My first Agatha Christie novel...what took me so long!...Incidentally this was also my first eReader novel (only 99 cents)! Both experiences were wonderful! Such a speedy read (I read it 1.5 days), The Mysterious Affair at Styles was like watching an episode of a great suspenseful show only much much better. She reminds me a lot of the perspicacious Dorothy Sayers but she's easier to read.
The plot is dictated by Captain Arthur Hastings, an insecure but intellectual sort of fellow, who upon vaca...more
The plot is dictated by Captain Arthur Hastings, an insecure but intellectual sort of fellow, who upon vaca...more
The dotty old English lady in the frilly bathrobe does it again. What a master; what fun! Poirot's & Christie's debut shows that mysteries that last are all about character. But this one is also strong on plot and style; and on both counts it's striking what obvious, direct lines can be drawn from this short mystery first published in 1920 to just about any contemporary practitioner of the art. I've read a number of the Poirot novels found in youth hostels or boats or whatnot, but I've never...more
When I started this one I didn’t realize it was Christie’s first published novel and it introduced the world to Hercule Poirot, the now infamous detective. After reading it I can easily understand why Christie became such a hugely successful author.
A murder takes place in an old English manor and suspicion falls on all of the family members of the deceased who live there. The book even provides a “Clue style” map of the home showing its layout and all entrances and exits. There are a few red he...more
A murder takes place in an old English manor and suspicion falls on all of the family members of the deceased who live there. The book even provides a “Clue style” map of the home showing its layout and all entrances and exits. There are a few red he...more
The Mysterious Affair at Styles was Agatha Christie’s first novel, published in 1920. And for a first novel it was pretty impressive.
This is a tale of poisoning, a form of murder that was always popular with writers of detective stories, and with good reason. Poisoning has always been difficult to detect - most poisoners never even go to trial, in fact never even attract the notice of the police. Unless someone already has their suspicions it’s most likely that no autopsy will be performed and p...more
This is a tale of poisoning, a form of murder that was always popular with writers of detective stories, and with good reason. Poisoning has always been difficult to detect - most poisoners never even go to trial, in fact never even attract the notice of the police. Unless someone already has their suspicions it’s most likely that no autopsy will be performed and p...more
A good read. I have read several Agatha Christie novels now but this was her first novel, which came to be because of a bet with some friends; and consequently has never been out of print.
This novel also served as my first literary introduction to Hercule Poirot, her eccentric detective to Doyle's Holmes. He serves as something completely un-English: Belgian, effeminate, and with odd clothes, described often as "funny little man" and as having various "ticks."
Christie achieves what I believe sh...more
This novel also served as my first literary introduction to Hercule Poirot, her eccentric detective to Doyle's Holmes. He serves as something completely un-English: Belgian, effeminate, and with odd clothes, described often as "funny little man" and as having various "ticks."
Christie achieves what I believe sh...more
Knowing that it was Agatha Christie's first published work, I did not hold much of a high expectation thinking that it would be very raw and unlike some of my previous reads on her books. However, it was not quite so!
I really like the twist and turns about the entire plot since I like to guess the culprit before Poirot summarises his thoughts about the event. I just cannot believe the ending as it should be though there were some clues given at the end.
Nonetheless, I realize that Sherlock and P...more
I really like the twist and turns about the entire plot since I like to guess the culprit before Poirot summarises his thoughts about the event. I just cannot believe the ending as it should be though there were some clues given at the end.
Nonetheless, I realize that Sherlock and P...more
Jul 23, 2012
Julia
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery,
agatha-christie
Written in 1920, it is the first to introduce us to Hercule Poirot. I am completely hooked on both Christie's writing and the character Poirot. It holds a special place in my favorites. I also enjoy the audiobook version of this too.
The main characters include Hercule Poirot, Arthur Hastings and Chief Inspector Japp. These also appear in many others of the series.
Poirot is an odd little Belgian man with an egg-shaped head. We feel his frustration every time he is mistaken for being French. He is...more
The main characters include Hercule Poirot, Arthur Hastings and Chief Inspector Japp. These also appear in many others of the series.
Poirot is an odd little Belgian man with an egg-shaped head. We feel his frustration every time he is mistaken for being French. He is...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISBN: 0396071910 | 3 | 46 | Dec 30, 2012 02:24am | |
| A young girl in V. A. D. uniform ran lightly across the lawn. | 5 | 56 | Dec 05, 2012 10:56pm | |
| Indian Bookworms: The Mysterious Affair At Styles by Agatha Christie - October, 2012 | 68 | 75 | Nov 08, 2012 04:49am | |
| Topeka & Shaw...: The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie | 1 | 2 | Oct 22, 2012 07:43am | |
| A Year of Agatha Christie | 15 | 125 | Aug 26, 2012 07:57am | |
| Monthly Book Club: * [August] Book of the Month: The Mysterious Affair at Styles | 1 | 3 | Aug 11, 2012 10:37am |
Agatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.
Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller was born in Torquay, Devon, England, U.K., as the youngest of three. The Millers had two other children: Margaret Frary Miller (1879–1950), called Madge, who was eleven years Agatha's senior, and Louis Montant Miller (1880...more
More about Agatha Christie...
Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller was born in Torquay, Devon, England, U.K., as the youngest of three. The Millers had two other children: Margaret Frary Miller (1879–1950), called Madge, who was eleven years Agatha's senior, and Louis Montant Miller (1880...more
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“You gave too much rein to your imagination. Imagination is a good servant, and a bad master. The simplest explanation is always the most likely.”
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212 people liked it
“Instinct is a marvelous thing. It can neither be explained nor ignored.”
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172 people liked it
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Nov 19, 2012 07:11pm
updated Jan 05, 2013 08:42pm
Jan 05, 2013 09:53pm