A review by librarymouse
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, by Agatha Christie

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

This was a fun mystery. I really enjoyed Agatha Christie's writing style, and I'm somewhat angry at myself for not having read her books sooner. I love that the novel took a lap at the end to explain the twists with a cohesive narrative, after having peppered in clues enough that the reader had the possibility of guessing the truth before the revelation.
SpoilerGiven the time period and language, I'm unsure if Evie and Alfred are romantically involved or just incredibly devoted cousins. At the time it was still quite common for cousins to intermarry, and addresses like "my dear" imply romance, but they just as well could have been partners in nothing more than crime
I love Poirot's personality and his idiosyncratic yet endearing nature, and I can't wait to read more.
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