Book Review of The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
A wealthy old lady, two stepsons, a husband twenty years younger, two Russian cousins, and a spy residing as a doctor - a perfect blend for a mysterious crime. Agatha Christie’s first novel was enough to let the world know that a great mystery writer was born. Her books have the ability to keep you at the edge of your seat. You can definitely try a career as a detective if you are able to guess the killer in advance. If you are a Sherlock Holmes fan, then you’d definitely connect with Hercule Poirot, the Belgian detective.
Overview
The book starts with Hastings reaching the Styles Court in Essex. His friend John Cavendish lives there with his stepmother Mrs. Inglethorp, his wife Mary, his brother Lawrence, his mother’s ward Cynthia, his stepfather Alfred, and the maids Evelyn Howard, Dorcas, and Annie. There’s a general hatred towards Alfred Inglethorp who is twenty years younger than Mrs. Inglethorp and is considered to be a gold digger in general. Subsequently, when Mrs. Inglethorp dies of poison, the most common suspect is Alfred Inglethorp. In fact, one comes across various evidence that point towards Mr. Inglethorp. However, Poirot saves him from trial and continues with his investigation. Eventually, every one of the residents of Styles comes under suspicion. The murderer is not revealed until the very end and is the one who can either be very easily guessed or couldn’t be thought of even in dreams. The ultimate twist is the method of poison used. Though it is revealed from the very beginning that the death has been caused due to Strychnine, how it was given is not found until the very end and, I must say, the method is truly ingenious.
I liked
The entire plot was just awesome. I mean, for a debut Mystery novel, the mystery was too mysterious to fathom. I remember reading my first Agatha Christie novel and then I binge read six books in a row. You can’t just get tired of Agatha Christie. I love her.
The little subplots that raise the suspicion towards different people throughout the story are blended very well. For example, Lawrence going near the poison cupboard when no one’s watching, finding a beard similar to Mr. Inglethorp in the costumes’ chest, fight between Mary and Mrs. Inglethorp, Cynthia’s position in the house, the strange demeanor of Dr. Bauerstein, etc.
The prevalence of Strychnine is so frequent as to appear funny but never imposed. It is there at Cynthia’s dispensary, was sold by the chemist, is found in John Cavendish’s room, and the most prominent of all is that Mrs. Inglethorp’s tonic also contained a very minute amount of Strychnine.
Confusion, rumors, misunderstanding, and secrets are very well-woven in the story.
I didn’t like
The portrait of Hastings was a bit annoying for me. The first thing that comes to mind is Dr. Watson from Sherlock Holmes. And the second thing that follows is how you can’t like Hastings much. Throughout the story, he is more worried about Mary or Cynthia being the murderer rather than being interested in finding out the actual murderer no matter who he/ she might be.
There was nothing else in the book to not like.
Bottomline
Whether you like reading Mystery books or not, you’ll be drawn into the world of Mrs. Inglethorp. The book is an excellent example of how no amount of loyalty or love can be accounted for where a large sum of money and property are involved.
Nobody knows what another person is thinking. They may imagine they do, but they are nearly always wrong. — Agatha Christie
