BOOK REVIEW

BILL MCCARTHY It seems murders are a fairly straightforward affair these days. Victims are either bludgeoned, shot, knifed or occasionally burnt, kidnapped or drowned. Not so apparently 100 years ago. The inhabitants of an upper-class household in England apparently had time and freedom to indulge in all sorts of clever methods for offing those who needed it. Agatha Christie’s name has become synonymous with the “whodunnit” and this book is no exception. An obscure technique for the offing, many suspects, clues abound and the subsequent disclosure to the assembled nervous suspects in the drawing-room makes for a classic of the genre.

But I have to say I found the whole class-ridden society thing a bit too much. Boudoirs, butlers, dressing for breakfast, dirty old villagers, nasty foreigners etc mark it as a type of lifestyle we need to forget. The first and last of hers I will read. JAN KENT It felt like a walk back in time to rediscover an Agatha Christie, much loved in my younger days. In true Christie fashion, this book is a gem – filled with twists and turns and red herrings in abundance. A variety of characters kept the tale intriguing for me, with the usual range of dark subjects and romantic interests. Christie’s crafting of Hercule Poirot with his many quirks and spontaneous outbursts kept me entertained to the end.

The unfolding of the perpetrator, while it was a surprise to me, I found a little laboured.

This is a most enjoyable read, particularly so with its use of old-fashioned language, which is not surprising in a novel written 100 years ago, but sadly lost to writers since then.

SUZI HIRST This was an interesting book to review – one that is over 100 years in publication. This was Agatha Christies first book and I believe started during World War I when her sister dared her to write a book. She did and followed up with many others.

We have all seen the Poirot TV programs at one time or another and so I found it refreshing to read her first book and her introduction to Hercule Poirot, who is exactly as seen in the TV series. David Suchet was born for the part.

Poirot actually featured in 39 of her 66 books. A quick and enjoyable read.

THE MYSTERIOUS THEMYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES By Agatha Christie

The first published novel of the legendary British crime writer, it was written in 1916, and introduces the eccentric little Belgian Hercule Poirot, who is settling in England as a refugee of the Great War. Inspector Japp and Poirot’s friend Hastings also make their debut. Poirot is staying near Styles Court, the country estate of his wealthy benefactor Emily Inglethorp. When she is poisoned, Poirot sets to work and there are plenty of suspects. Dame Agatha Christie is the best-selling author of all time, having written 66 crime novels and story collections, 14 plays and six novels. TONY HARRINGTON Not being a fan of Agatha Christie, I laboured through all the twists and turns, clues and investigations by the obsessive compulsive Belgian detective Monsieur Poirot.

While the story is well written with numerous different characters it’s an old-style murder mystery and not your modern and engaging Nordic Noir.

The English era of the big estate houses with numerous servants and a rigid class structure is also not my cup of tea.

For the fans of Agatha Christie I’m sure they will enjoy this murder mystery. Not me! 4/10

JOHN KLEINSCHMIDT Hard to believe that this 1920 publication was the first of many Christie novels featuring the prodigious detective skills of Hercule Poirot. The plot does not disappoint as there are, as usual, many suspects in a complicated murder. Set in an English Manor the characters are from a dysfunctional upper-class family, and each is a suspect at some point in the story.

Poirot, using his undeniable instincts, navigates the numerous red herrings that the queen of mystery weaves into the plot and brings the story to an end with an unpredictable twist.

Poirot’s attention to minute detail, that the local police miss, proves him the superior detective. An easy and enjoyable read. JO BOURKE The Mysterious Affair at Styles is notable on many levels! Not only was it written 100 years ago but it was the first novel of 66 published by author Agatha Christie and her introduction of Poirot who would feature in 33 of her novels. In this world of hustle and bustle most of us experience daily, I found it refreshing to stop and enjoy the measured and descriptive writing setting the scene for murder and intrigue. It was so easy to visualise Poirot – surely as portrayed by David Suchet who appeared in 70 episodes of the TV series.

A few times my frustration levels rose when it was taking so long to reveal the murderer after all the red herrings thrown at the reader. It was worth not looking ahead.

Most of all, reading this first novel is encouraging me to read more of Agatha’s works – perhaps in order. Google has told me the second book was The Murder on the Links and its plot is already enticing me.

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