33 pages 1 hour read

Agatha Christie

The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1920

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Belgian detective Hercule Poirot investigates the murder of Emily Inglethorp at her estate during World War I to uncover who fatally poisoned her. The novel explores a complex web of familial tensions, inheritance disputes, and red herrings, culminating in Poirot's expert unveiling of the true culprits. The book includes graphic descriptions of death.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie's debut novel, introduces the brilliant detective Hercule Poirot. Reviews praise its intricate plot and clever resolution, showcasing Christie's knack for mystery. Some critique the pacing as uneven, but overall, it’s a commendable start to a prolific career in crime fiction.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Mysterious Affair at Styles?

A reader who enjoys classic whodunits with intricate plots and clever detective work will relish The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie. Fans of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series and Dorothy L. Sayers’s Lord Peter Wimsey novels will find Christie's debut Hercule Poirot novel captivating.

Recommended

Reading Age

14+years

Lexile Level

770L

Book Details

Genre

Mystery / Crime Fiction

British Literature

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Topics

Class

Grief / Death

Immigration / Refugee

Period

WWI / World War I

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Guilt

Society: Class

Relationships: Marriage