From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot, #1)

Agatha Christie

Start date: January 1, 2018

Finish date: January 31, 2018

Discussion: Buddy reads

Why we're reading this: A buddy read of the first Poirot book
[close] A buddy read of the first Poirot book

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What Members Thought

Dec 11, 2017 Susan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is Agatha Christie’s debut novel, published in 1920, and the first featuring her detective, Hercule Poirot. By any standards it is an assured and well written debut novel and, considering the period it was written, it is also remarkably undated. Apparently, Agatha Christie was challenged by her sister to write a detective story, for which I am eternally grateful, as this was her offering. Like one of the characters in this novel, Agatha worked in the dispensary of a local hospital and gaine ...more

101 likes · Like · see review

Nov 02, 2016 Kavita rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery, uk, golden-age-mystery

This has never been one of my favourite books, and I keep forgetting the plot and everything else despite having read it many times. But there is nothing essentially wrong with the book, except that I found it a little dry.

Poirot and Hastings meet for the first time in this book on page. I think much of the pleasure from a Poirot mystery comes from Hastings, and Hastings wasn't as well developed here as the one I would grow used to.

It is the middle of World War I and Mrs Inglethorp is hosting ...more

16 likes · Like · see review

Mar 21, 2012 Amy rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018, brit-trip

Surprisingly good considering it was her first novel. Poirot and Hastings were just as charming and in character as they were in her 10th or 20th novel.

7 likes · Like · see review

Jan 21, 2018 Frances rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-series

This is Christie's first mystery novel, and also the first novel featuring Hercule Poirot, Christie's most famous detective. We meet Poirot and Hastings for the first time and are treated to a mystery with the intricate plot and surprising denouement for which Christie was justifiably famous. This is a fun read in its own right, and for a debut mystery novel it shows an author already at the top of her game. ...more

1 like · Like · see review