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    The Mysterious Affair at Styles: The First Hercule Poirot Mystery: The Official Authorized Edition
    The Mysterious Affair at Styles: The First Hercule Poirot Mystery: The Official Authorized Edition
    The Mysterious Affair at Styles: The First Hercule Poirot Mystery: The Official Authorized Edition
    Audiobook5 hours

    The Mysterious Affair at Styles: The First Hercule Poirot Mystery: The Official Authorized Edition

    Written by Agatha Christie

    Narrated by Hugh Fraser

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Hercule Poirot solves his first case in the Agatha Christie novel that started it all, now in a fully restored edition that features a “missing chapter” along with commentary from Christie expert John Curran.

    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's fawning new husband to her two stepsons, her volatile housekeeper, and a pretty nurse who works in a hospital dispensary.

    With impeccable timing, and making his unforgettable debut, the brilliant Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is on the case.

     

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateAug 14, 2012
    ISBN9780062243874
    The Mysterious Affair at Styles: The First Hercule Poirot Mystery: The Official Authorized Edition
    Author

    Agatha Christie

    Agatha Christie is the most widely published author of all time, outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. Her books have sold more than a billion copies in English and another billion in a hundred foreign languages. She died in 1976, after a prolific career spanning six decades.

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    Reviews for The Mysterious Affair at Styles

    4/5

    2,884 ratings132 reviews

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    • 3/5
      I remember liking Cpt Hastings, but in this one his infatuations were a little too much. A good start none the less. 3 1/2 stars
    • 4/5
      The Mysterious Affair at Styles was a fun quick read. This book is Agatha Christie’s first published novel and the first to feature the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. Beloved by many for being a completely pompous prig, this character launched Christie’s career and ultimately resulted in her books being the most widely read in history selling millions of copies. This author, perhaps being outsold only by Shakespeare or the Bible, has to have been doing something right. In this debut novel, we cover some familiar territory. A rich old woman, living in an English Mansion, has been murdered. We have a body, a murder weapon, some strange clues, and a well experienced detective that already has it all figured out. So sit back on that cozy couch, sip some hot coffee, and read The Mysterious Affair at Styles. What more could you love?
    • 5/5
      Such a great whodunit and the narration was absolutely fabulous! The story left me constantly wondering if I was on the right track (I normally figure it out quickly) and questioning what I knew to be the facts. I loved that Hastings thoughts were so honest and Poirot was, as is his personality, cunning and decisive yet allowed Hastings to develop his own thoughts and opinions of the case. I have seen all of the tv series but am now "reading" through the books. A wonderful start to the retired life of Hercule Poirot indeed!
    • 4/5
      A fun read...Poirot is delightful.
    • 2/5
      This is a very strange book. I followed Sophie Hannah’s recommendation and didn’t read it as my first Poirot novel. And I’m very glad I did.

      Because it would not have held my interest otherwise. It is complicated it seemed to me purely for the sake of being complicated. The red herrings and bait and switches feel just like biding the time until the end can be revealed, so the story dragged on too long for me.

      Another thing to note is that it uses a VERY similar plot twist to “The Hollow” her 26th Poirot novel and my least favorite story.
    • 1/5
      Well, the reader is first rate. But folks, be aware that the powers that be are deciding what you are and are not allowed to hear. Listen to this recording while reading the original manuscript and you will notice the careful editing out of anything that might be deemed 'offensive' by the self-appointed ideologues who have taken it upon themselves to censor the world on your behalf.

      What's more offensive? Reading the words and language that actually and accurately reflect the times and mores of the period in which the story was written - or having rose-colored lenses put over your experience without informing you? Life is not a daycare center and reality has rough edges. 5 stars for Agatha. 5 stars for the reader and his remarkable accents and entertaining delivery. ZERO for Harper's entirely unnecessary overreach.
    • 3/5
      Audio book narrated by Penelope Delaporta3*** / 1.5* narrationThis is Agatha Christie’s debut mystery, in which she introduces the famous Hercule Poirot. It’s a traditional “locked room” mystery.Mrs. Inglethorpe is stricken in the early morning hours with horrific convulsions, clearly the result of strychnine poisoning. But who poisoned her and how was it done. She was alone in her room with all three doors leading into the room bolted from the inside. There is no shortage of suspects: her second husband (a much younger man everyone seems to dislike), her two step sons (who stand to inherit upon her death), her step-daughter-in-law, her young ward (a nurse in the local hospital, specializing in pharmaceutical compounds), even the mysterious doctor who just happens to be passing by, full dressed, at 4:30 a.m. on the morning she is stricken (and who pronounces her dead). And there are plenty of clues – including no less than 3 different supplies of strychnine, a fake beard, a fragment of a will found in the fireplace ashes, a crushed coffee cup, and mysterious crystals left on the tray holding the cocoa. The time frame is during WW I … so there are issues of rationing and espionage to contend with, which makes the story a bit dated. And, it’s also more slowly paced than contemporary mysteries, but you cannot fault Christie’s skill at plotting the set-up. Delaporta’s narration is not very good. Her voice is high (though the narrator of the story is a man), and her efforts at Poirot’s Belgian accent became annoying pretty quickly. But the story itself kept me listening.
    • 4/5
      Christie's first and it stars Hercule Poirot with narration by Hastings. Poirot hasn't gotten as irritating as he becomes in later novels. If I tell you to "follow the money," I won't be helping you too much - since just about everyone is after the murdered woman's money.
    • 4/5
      This is the first of Christie’s books featuring Hercule Poirot. The plot is about a family living in a country home, with guests invited - including the narrator, Hastings.

      A murder happens, and nearly all the household come under suspicion for various good reasons. It’s really a very clever plot; even as the clues gradually unravelled I could not recall who the murderer was, despite having read the book about thirteen years previously, and I was taken in by several red herrings, even while realising that the narrator must inevitably be on the wrong track, one way or another.

      When the perpetrator was finally revealed, it all made sense, and the clues fell into place perfectly; Agatha Christie was brilliant at plotting, filling in all the details and leading her readers astray without ever making them feel cheated.

      While the characterisation isn’t great - it’s my one gripe about this author - I did appreciate good writing and tight plotting, a pleasant contrast to some of the more contemporary books I have been reading recently.
    • 4/5
      Another of the great early Christie offerings.
    • 4/5
      A classic for a reason. Having acted in the TV series, Hugh Fraser is such a perfect reader.
    • 4/5
      Normally I love the ease of Christie's thrillers. This, however, was very long-winded. Somehow missing a fast-paced tension. Although I'm a fan of Poirot's little gray cells and I love his charming Belgian way to solve a murder mystery, he convinced me not in this book.
    • 5/5
      There's not much to add to the critics' praise of this classics of a detective story, so I'll just note that High Frazer has done an exceptionally good job reading it. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the this audiobook.
    • 4/5
      Wonderful Christie story as always. Narration very well done. Looking for next one!
    • 5/5
      The initiaton to Hercule Poirot, superbly read and perfectly dramatized.
    • 3/5
      Intricate and at times just convoluted in its solution, the very first Poirot novel remains a must-read. The pacing, humour and period charm add to its attractiveness.
    • 3/5
      In which a lieutenant, an inspector and a Belgian emigré solve murder during the War.

      Let the flaying begin. Well, actually, don’t. Coming 39th on the Agatha Christie rankings isn’t that bad. "Styles" is a seminal novel in 20th century detective fiction: Christie’s first published work, and Hercule Poirot’s first appearance in literature, as well as the introduction of then-Lieutenant Arthur Hastings, and Inspector Japp. Poirot’s methodology is relayed to us by Hastings in a manner very similar to Watson’s introduction of Sherlock Holmes in "A Study in Scarlet". This novel, I rush to point out, is a damn sight better than Holmes’ introductory one, with Poirot emerging almost fully formed, and the country house of Styles a suitably atmospheric host for murder.

      The David Suchet adaptation – coming very early on before the series had established a darker visual style – is satisfactory, largely due to Suchet’s ability to create a younger, more ‘foreign’ Poirot. But it doesn’t have the raw power of the later adaptations in the series.

      I do have to be honest, though, and confess this is not one of my favourite Poirots. Christie hadn’t yet ironed out her style yet (she had another sixty years of writing to go, so I’ll cut her some slack), and – aside from Poirot – none of the characters really jump off the page. Still, this is an impressively easy read, and all fans should check out where Poirot began his British career (in the same place he would end it sixty years later). If you’re new to the series, keep in mind that Christie will – with experience – challenge her own style in the years to come.

      Poirot ranking: 24th out of 38
    • 5/5
      I was curious to read Agatha Christie’s first Poirot novel, which was published in 1920. And I was not disappointed. Midway through the book I was surprised to remember that this was one of her first novels… I think Mrs. Christie was born a writer: there is nothing in this book that betrays the novice. She worked as a dispenser in a hospital during WWI, hence, I believe, her knowledge of poisons and the presence of the young nurse’s character in the book. Here you will find the first description of Hercule Poirot, the “little man” with a gigantic intellect and an even larger (if possible!) ego. Inspector James Japp is also first presented to the reader, “a little sharp, dark, ferret-faced man”—physically different from Philip Jackson of the Agatha Christie’s Poirot series, Japp also does not present any of the irritating and almost unintelligible cockney accent the Jackson of the movies sported. Most definitely this is a must read for any Agatha Christie fan.
    • 5/5
      Timeless. First in Christie's series of Hercule Poirot and loved it.
    • 3/5
      I love Hercule Poirot, and I think David Suchet's long-running portrayal of the Belgian detective is perfect.

      The books are harder to read than the TV and movie renditions. Definitely written for an earlier era, with a little too much "tell" instead of "show" in my opinion. I definitely prefer thrillers to pure mysteries.

    • 3/5
      Emily Inglethorp dies in the middle of the night, poisoned by strychnine, and there is no shortage of suspects: her new second husband, her sons from her first marriage, a strangely insomniac doctor, her daughter-in-law, a nurse...This was my first Hercule Poirot mystery, and I had a fun time with it. I enjoyed the twists, and it was a fun, quick read.
    • 3/5
      Read on my e-reader, which is fine and dandy, except there are illustrations that dont necessarily make it into the ebook itself - either the proofreaders dont translate the images over, or they dont render in the reader.

      This is the first time we meet Poirot who has retired from the Belgian police force, and is living in the UK during WWI. His age isnt given, but he seems to be older than the 30 year old "Mr" Hastings, who has been returned home from the front on sick leave.

      Hastings spends his sick leave with old friends, only to find the stepmother remarried to a man no one likes, and subsequently dying several days after Hasting's arrival from apparent poisoning. Poirot is living nearby and is soon investigating. Lots of twists and turns, the usual "calling everyone together" at the end, and Poirot thinking he's giving us all the clues to work it out for ourselves
    • 4/5
      Felt a little cold. I don't feel like I get to know the suspects very well beyond broad strokes.
    • 5/5
      The first Poirot novel.Narrated by Hastings. Very well done full of twist and turns. Just when I thought I knew who did it something new comes out. Hasting gets things wrong of course.
    • 3/5
      Enjoyable puzzle.
    • 4/5

      This was my first Agatha Christie novel and what a wonderful read it was. Ms Christie's firm command of her characters was clear even in this early work. Their hopes, fears and secrets were all plotted carefully and executed magnificently. While the ancillary actors may have not displayed much growth in this novel, it was clear that type of writing was firmly in her skill-set by the subtle method used on her narrator. Enough can't be said about the life she breathes into her characters--no small achievement with them being so damned British.


      If her characters popped, then her twisted plots soared. Every twist aimed toward another possible suspect, sometimes two. She had no fear at insinuating guilt in the most innocent of characters, either. I'll admit freely that she tricked me thoroughly, and by the end I was as surprised as the narrator to learn the truth. What a marvelous thing to find in a work from 1920 that a modern reader can still find himself lost in her world and unable to deduce the secrets before they are finally revealed. It was no matter of author trickery, either. I will say this, the facts were all present. If I were capable of the feats of logic and patience of Hercule Poirot, I too would have solved the crime.


      I will certainly be continuing on with these books!

    • 4/5
      During the Great War Inspector Hercule Poirot, a Belgian refugee, has settled in Essex, near the home of his friend Mrs Emily Inglethorp. But soon she has been killed and he investigates, with the help of his friend Captain Hastings. Though soon Detective Inspector Japp of Scotland Yard arrives on the scene.
      Red herrings abound in this first Poirot story, an enjoyable mystery.
      First published in 1920
    • 4/5
      Written on a dare. The very first appearance of Poirot. And, after all these years, still pretty darn good.
    • 3/5
      Ahh, Agatha Christie's debut novel and Hercule Poirot's first appearance! Lieutenant Hastings tells the story of what happened at a country estate near Styles, were a wealthy heiress is poisoned and local authorities are baffled. Hercule Poirot is on the case.Since I've been reading the Poirot books out of order I can see how Christie will grow as an author and how she's fleshed Poirot out as a character in future novels. The mystery is rather convoluted which everyone's favorite eccentric Belgian solves it after making many deductive leaps that are shared in a big reveal at the end. I listened to the audio book narrated by Richard Armitage. It took me a few minutes to adjust to a new voice for Poirot having listened to Kenneth Branagh's narration fairly recently. Once I made the switch, Armitage was a joy to listen to. This is currently available on Audible Plus and free for Audible members.
    • 4/5
      This being the month of the 100 year celebration of Agatha Christie, I decided to read the first Hercule Poirot mystery! In this, Mrs. Inglethorp has died, and everyone is a suspect, including her new husband and her two stepsons! A Mr. Hastings, who is telling this story, enlists Poirot to find out who done it! And the the fussy Belgian goes about doing just that!A very tight, well paced mystery! I didn't understand all the poison science, but it didn't take away from the story itself! I really like when Poirot gathers everyone in the same room to discuss his ideas about "who done it?"! And Poirot himself is a delightful character! I could see right away how this man became such a fan favorite!“If the fact will not fit the theory - let the theory go.”