Reviews with content warning for War - The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Reviews tagging 'War'

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

9 reviews

jwells's review against another edition

fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No

I'm only a casual fan of mysteries, but I like some of them, especially the vintage ones, like Nero Wolfe, so I decided it was about time I gave Poirot a chance. This was a bit disappointing, honestly. Neither Poirot nor Hastings is much of a character. Everyone else in the novel is even more of a sketch. (I don't really read for the puzzle aspect of mysteries, so I don't care whether I could have/should have solved it ahead of Poirot.) I blew through it quickly, so I might give Poirot another chance and see if this was just first-book issues.

Content Warnings

kers_tin's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

risemini's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Content Warnings

bloomingpear's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

Content Warnings

natcat's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A well-plotted mystery with a very entertaining cast of characters, and Hastings's narration and perspective is particularly entertaining, because he never has any idea what is going on! Particular highlights are when Poirot comments that his very nature will help the case, as it will convince the murderer that they have no idea what is going on, and Hastings takes this as a compliment. Delightful, I really do enjoy Christie's very wryly funny style. This book has th absolute classic 'Poirot gathers everyone into a room and explains the case to them, much to their amazement', and I love it, what a great trope, and 10/10 for creating it here, Christie.

Content Warnings

lqne's review against another edition

Go to review page

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Content Warnings

gilnean's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Content Warnings

decembermagpie's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Content Warnings

corar's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I actually liked this one a bit more than some of the later Poirot mysteries I read. This is because Poirot is explaining his methods and thinking to Hastings. In later books it sometimes felt like his theories came out of nowhere, so I appreciated getting more information in this one...even when it was misleading. The mystery kept me guessing with lots of twists and turns as to who the primary suspect was. I liked Hastings and his relationship with Poirot. I will definitely continue to read these mysteries.

Content Warnings

More...