The Mysterious Affair at Styles Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920) marks the debut of one of her most iconic characters: Hercule Poirot, the brilliant and meticulous Belgian detective. In this novel, Christie introduces not only Poirot but also her signature style of combining intricate plots, red herrings, and a keen psychological understanding of her characters. It's fascinating to see how her early work laid the groundwork for the dozens of Poirot novels and short stories that would follow.

In The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Captain Arthur Hastings, recovering from injuries sustained during World War I, is invited to the countryside estate of Styles, owned by his old friend, John Cavendish. What begins as a peaceful recuperation quickly turns into a puzzle when the estate’s matriarch, Emily Inglethorp, is poisoned. Hastings, though a man of action rather than intellect, becomes an amateur sleuth of sorts, assisting in the investigation. But it is the eccentric and methodical Hercule Poirot, a former Belgian police detective now living in exile, who quickly takes charge of the case, offering sharp insight and careful deduction.

Christie’s choice to introduce Poirot as a retired detective is a clever one, positioning him as a sort of outsider—both to the world of the novel and to the English way of life. His foreignness, paired with his extraordinary powers of observation, serves as a key part of his appeal. Christie also explores themes of class, deception, and the effects of war, which would become recurring motifs in her work.

The deleted chapter you mention is part of the 1920s' evolving publishing context, where some of her early works were edited for brevity or pacing. The addition of this chapter, in modern editions, can provide more context or depth to the characters and events of the plot, offering a fresh perspective on how Christie fine-tuned her craft.

The quote you shared—"Beware! Peril to the detective who says: 'It is so small – it does not matter… Everything matters.’"—is a perfect encapsulation of Poirot’s philosophy. Every detail is significant in his investigations, and his ability to notice the seemingly inconsequential pieces of evidence is what allows him to unravel complex mysteries. Christie’s storytelling also mirrors this idea; nothing is ever trivial in her novels, and even the smallest of clues can lead to the resolution of the case.

If you’re a fan of classic detective fiction, The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a must-read. Not only does it offer an intriguing mystery, but it also serves as an important starting point for exploring the development of both Agatha Christie’s writing and the Poirot character.