The Mysterious Affair at Styles Mass market paperbound - 1991
by Agatha Christie
Hercule PoirotAgatha Christie: The first lady of crime.A woman utters the name of her late husband as she lays dying. Why? It'll take a master detective to answer that question. Introducing Hercule Poirot.
About this book
Written in 1916, during World War I, The Mysterious Affair at Styles is Agatha Christie’s first published novel. The story introduces the author’s world-famous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, as well as Lieutenant (later Captain) Hastings and Inspector (later Chief Inspector) Japp. The mystery begins with Poirot settling in England near the home of Emily Inglethorp. When Emily is killed, Poirot must apply his detective skills to solve the mystery based on a few seemingly random clues. The book includes maps of the house, the murder scene, and a drawing of a fragment of a will.
Summary
Reader reviews for The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Review summary
Readers largely regard The Mysterious Affair at Styles as a solid, if uneven, debut and an effective introduction to Hercule Poirot. The puzzle, poison plot, and late-game reveal drew praise, while some found the story overstuffed with red herrings and the pacing occasionally sluggish. Hastings, the narrator, divided opinion—often labeled obtuse or irritating—though Poirot himself was widely appreciated. A number of reviewers noted dated language and casual antisemitism. Audiobook performances, particularly Hugh Fraser and full-cast adaptations, were highly rated and often enhanced enjoyment. Many intend to continue the series, with some suggesting later Poirot novels are stronger.
Readers say this book is:
classic whodunnittwistyclever revealengagingconvolutedslow in partspolarizing narratordated languagecasual bigotry notedexcellent audiobookWrite a review for this book
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From the publisher
First edition identification
After having been rejected by six publishers, John Lane (US) produced the story in novel form for the first time in October 1920. (The Mysterious Affair at Styles had previously been serialized in the UK’s The Times in February of that year.) The first edition of the novel has a hardcover with 296 pages. Beneath the dustjacket illustrated by Alfred James Dewey, the book is covered in pale brown cloth with dark green lettering on the upper cover and spine.
Details
- Title The Mysterious Affair at Styles
- Author Agatha Christie
- Binding Mass Market Paperbound
- Edition Berkley ed.
- Pages 196
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher Berkley Books, New York, New York
- Publication date 1991-11-01
- Illustrated Yes
- ISBN 9780425129616 / 0425129616
- Weight 0.22 lbs (0.10 kg)
- Dimensions 6.78 x 4.17 x 0.58 in (17.22 x 10.59 x 1.47 cm)
- Reading level 770
- Category Fiction - Mystery/ Detective
- Library of Congress subjects Mystery fiction, Private investigators - England
- Library of Congress Catalogue Number 94137992
- Dewey Decimal Code FIC
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The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot)
by Agatha Christie
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