Books with title The Mysterious Affair at STYLES

How is this book unique? 15 Illustrations are included Short Biography is also includedOriginal & Unabridged EditionTablet and e-reader formattedBest fiction books of all timeOne of the best books to readClassic historical fiction booksThe Mysterious Affair at Styles is a detective novel by Agatha Christie. It was written in the middle of the First World War, in 1916, and first published by John Lane in the United States in October 1920 and in the United Kingdom by The Bodley Head (John Lane's UK company) on 21 January 1921.[2] The US edition retailed at $2.00 and the UK edition at seven shillings and sixpence (7/6). Styles was Christie's first published novel. It introduced Hercule Poirot, Inspector (later, Chief Inspector) Japp, and Arthur Hastings.[3] Poirot, a Belgian refugee of the Great War, is settling in England near the home of Emily Inglethorp, who helped him to his new life. His friend Hastings arrives as a guest at her home. When the woman is killed, Poirot uses his detective skills to solve the mystery. This is also the setting of Curtain, Poirot's last case. The book includes maps of the house, the murder scene, and a drawing of a fragment of a will. The true first publication of the novel was as a weekly serial in the The Times, including the maps of the house and other illustrations included in the book. This novel was one of the first ten books published by Penguin Books when it began in 1935. This first mystery novel by Agatha Christie was well received by reviewers. An analysis in 1990 was positive about the plot, considered the novel one of the few by Christie that is well-anchored in time and place, a story that knows it describes the end of an era, and mentions that the plot is clever. Christie had not mastered cleverness in her first novel, as "too many clues tend to cancel each other out"; this was judged a difficulty "which Conan Doyle never satisfactorily overcame, but which Christie would."

The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a detective novel that was written by Agatha Christie in 1916 and first published in 1920 to rave reviews. It introduces her famous detective Hercule Poirot, a Belgian refugee of the Great War, who settles in England near the home of his wealthy, recently widowed friend Emily Inglethorp. When the widow is found murdered via the administering of poison, Poirot uses his detective skills to solve the mystery. Featuring multiple red herrings and surprise twists, the book ushered in what is known as The Golden Age of Detective Fiction.

This is first detective story about famous Hercule Poirot and his younger partner Arthur. Arthur Hastings came back from Great War. He was invited by his friend to live in a country house in Essex. The owner of that house was the friend’s stepmother. To Arthur’s surprise this seventy years old woman married to a man who was twenty years younger than her. The marriage was a few months ago. It turned out a big problem for his friend. His late father owned the house and now this husband could get the inheritance. The house was huge and a big family lived in it. All the family members hated stepmother’s husband. Arthur also disliked him. The family had many scandals and tried to warn mother that this gigolo would kill her in order to get her money…

Enjoy the first novels that brought the world two of Agatha Christie's most enduring detectives: Miss Marple and Hercule PoirotThe Murder at the Vicarage -- [Read by Joan Hickson] -- The first Miss Marple mystery, one which tests all her powers of observation and deduction ''Anyone who murdered Colonel Protheroe,'' declared the parson, brandishing a carving knife above a joint of roast beef, ''would be doing the world at large a favor!''It was a careless remark for a man of the cloth and one which was to come back and haunt the clergyman just a few hours later -- when the colonel is found shot dead in the clergyman's study. But as Miss Marple soon discovers, the whole village seems to have had a motive to kill Colonel Protheroe.The Mysterious Affair at Styles -- [Read by Hugh Fraser] -- This is the Agatha Christie book that started it all -- the sublime introduction of her master sleuth, Hercule Poirot, and his now legendary powers of detection.Who poisoned the wealthy Emily Inglethorp and how did the murderer penetrate and escape from her locked bedroom? Suspects abound in the quaint village of Styles St. Mary -- from the heiress' fawning new husband to her two stepsons, her volatile housekeeper, and a pretty nurse who works in a hospital dispensary. Making his unforgettable debut, the brilliant Belgian detective is on the case.

It follows Poirot and his friend Hastings as they investigate the death of Mrs Inglethorp, a rich elderly lady, in suspicious circumstances. There is an array of potential murderers (from Mrs Inglethorp's two step-sons to her daughter in law to her new, much younger, husband) presented and numerous vague, yet strangely significant clues that Poirot uses to deduce the real perpetrator."The Mysterious Affair at Styles" really shows how influential Christie has been in crime fiction. The devices that she employs (innocuous clues that are actually vitally important or the quirky yet insightful detective character) are used in almost every modern detective story. It is easy to forget that she really did create many of the themes and motifs that we see today. It is fantastic to read where it all began and see how accomplished Christie was, even from her first published novel.Her characterisation of Poirot is first class. He feels like a a protagonist that you already comfortable with. His idiosyncrasies feel natural and well-rounded. Forget about any dramatic interpretation of Poirot on television - this is where you really get to know the true Mr Poirot!The development of the plot is gripping and I could hardly put it down - Christie certainly knew how to leave the reader wanting more. Due to the subtle complexity and weaving of the storyline, I never assumed I knew who the murderer was. Christie teases and almost goads you into a guessing game that is only ever resolved at the last moment.I feel that Christie has been sidelined or looked upon as "comfortable Sunday afternoon" fare - maybe this is because of Poirot and Marpe being associated with numerous television dramas. However, I think this is unfair to Christie's work - "The Mysterious Affair at Styles" is a cleverly crafted, well written and elegant piece of fiction. I would recommend to all.