The Mysterious Affair at StylesThe novel is set in England during World War I at Styles, an Essex country manor. The manor is owned by the wealthy widow Emily Inglethorp, who has recently remarried to a much younger man, Alfred Inglethorp. Emily's two stepsons, John and Lawrence Cavendish, as well as John's wife Mary and several other people, also live at Styles. Late one night, the residents of Styles wake to find Emily Inglethorp dying of what proves to be strychnine poisoning. Captain Hastings, a house guest, enlists the help of his friend Hercule Poirot, who is staying in the nearby village, Styles St. Mary to piece together events surrounding the murder. On the day she was killed, Emily Inglethorp was overheard arguing with someone, most likely her husband, Alfred, or her stepson, John. Afterwards, she seemed quite distressed and, apparently, made a new will--which no one can find. Nobody can explain how or when the strychnine was administered to Mrs. Inglethorp. High on Poirot's list of suspects are: John Cavendish, the elder stepson; Mary Cavendish, his wife; Lawrence Cavendish, the younger stepson; Evelyn Howard, Mrs. Inglethorpe's companion; Cynthia Murdoch, her protegee; and Dr. Bauerstein, a mysterious stranger who lives in Essex. All have motive and opportunity but only Poirot can discover the truth. |
Contents
Go to Styles | 1 |
The 16th and 17th of July | 17 |
The Night of the Tragedy | 28 |
Copyright | |
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afternoon AGATHA CHRISTIE Alfred Inglethorp Annie arrested asked Bauerstein begonias Belgian believe bolted boudoir chemist's coco Coroner course cried Poirot crime Cynthia's room dear death despatch-case door Dorcas Emily Evelyn Howard evidence Evie extra coffee cup eyes face fact hall hand Hastings heard Hercule Poirot husband idea Ingle Inglethorp's room inquest Japp John Cavendish lady Lawrence Cavendish letter locked looked Mademoiselle Cynthia Mary Cavendish mind minutes Mirror Crack'd Miss Howard mon ami Monsieur Lawrence Monsieur Poirot morning murder murmured never night o'clock once paper Poirot nodded Poirot shook poison powders quarrel remarked remember replied Poirot seemed shook his head Sir Ernest smiled stared strychnine Styles Court suddenly sure suspicion Tadminster tell there's thing thought thoughtfully told took tragedy turned vendish village voice walked wife Wilkins window woman words