My first ever memory of devouring Agatha Christie’s crime fiction was as a young tween / teen. My parents had allowed me to buy a sizeable number of books at my school’s book week (quite a luxury back then!), and for the first time my stash included a Christie. I can’t remember exactly which one it was (I have a vague memory of it being ‘Lord Edgware Dies’) but there was no looking back from that point on. I fell hook, line and sinker for the genius of Dame Agatha Christie. Ever since, I have read and re-read her books dozens of times over. Knowing the killer or the outcome of the story has never deterred me from picking them up again. For me, they are like old friends that provide just the right distraction from everyday problems.
Though I enjoy all her books, the ones focused on her Belgian detective Hercule Poirot are undoubtedly my favourites. His books are also the ones I revisit the most. In fact, my personal library gives greatest pride of place to my collection of 10 facsimile editions of Poirot novels (exact lookalikes of their first editions).
These beloved books were therefore my first port of call when I was looking for a first-grade distraction in 2022 after two intense years of Covid taking over the world. Instead of simply re-reading them however, I decided to do something I had never attempted earlier – read the Poirot novels in the order they were published, starting with ‘The Mysterious Affair at Styles’ which came out 102 years ago in 1921. Later, I learnt there is a term for die-hard Christie fans across the globe who want to read everything ever written by her. We are called the ‘Completionists’.
The point of embarking on this exercise was a simple one – to see the character progression of one of my all-time favourite book characters. I also wanted a glimpse into Christie’s writer’s mind and process. I decided to document this journey through Instagram Live sessions where I would discuss three books at a time (except for the first one which was an introduction to the project combined with a breakdown of the first book). Since then, I have done four sessions over the span of a year and a half. I’m aware that’s a long time but I also read other books between my Christie’s!
I plan to continue with the Insta Live sessions, but I feel my thoughts on the subject need to be put down for posterity. So, I’ll be sharing my Goodreads reviews and any other thoughts, on blog posts accompanying the live sessions going forward. I invite you to share your thoughts and join me in this project if it appeals to you.
In keeping with the format, I’ve been following on Instagram, I will only share the review of the first book today. ‘The Mysterious Affair at Styles’ was the first book that Agatha Christie wrote, and it was also where she introduced Hercule Poirot’s character. The story behind the book is that she took on a bet to prove that she could write a mystery where no one would guess the killer – and boy, did she win that bet!
So, here goes:
THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES
Book Blurb from Goodreads:
A refugee of the Great War, Poirot has settled in England near Styles Court, the country estate of his wealthy benefactor, the elderly Emily Inglethorp. When Emily is poisoned and the authorities are baffled, Poirot puts his prodigious sleuthing skills to work. Suspects are plentiful, including the victim’s much younger husband, her resentful stepsons, her long-time hired companion, a young family friend working as a nurse, and a London specialist on poisons who just happens to be visiting the nearby village.
All of them have secrets they are desperate to keep, but none can outwit Poirot as he navigates the ingenious red herrings and plot twists that contribute to Agatha Christie’s well-deserved reputation as the queen of mystery.
My Review:
Oh, the wonderful world of Christie!
If I haven’t read/re-read one of her books for a while, I actually crave them!
I recently purchased a limited facsimile edition as it was first published nearly 100 years ago. Not only is the book beautiful, it is a refreshingly contemporary and believable read.
The audience has their work cut out for them as they navigate their way through a maze of clues and half-baked conclusions, making for highly engaging reading.
As her first book, this one introduces her genius to the readers for the first time. The astounding plot is worthy of applause.
I highly recommend this one to Christie lovers as well as people reading her works for the first time.
BUY THE BOOK HERE: https://amzn.eu/d/f7pCCUK
Here is my Insta Live discussing this book:
Stay tuned for the other episodes shared as individual blog posts soon. Till then, let me know which is your favourite Agatha Christie novel? Have you read ‘The Mysterious Affair at Styles’ yet?
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This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Zariya Healings.
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*This is not a sponsored post.
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