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The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

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9. In Lucy Worsley's 3-part documentary, she interviews a professor about Christie's racist and anti-Semitic epithets in her novels (the interview is wonderful).

As we progress in the novels, we'll notice this (there were a couple of instances in my addition of this novel that stood out to me).

But yet, we love Christie, and her works have endured for over 100 years. Why do you think this is the case? #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers

Aims42 This is another great question!! I can‘t wait to see what other readers think. I have to let this marinate 🤔 2w

Bookwormjillk I‘m not sure how to answer that. I‘ll have to find that documentary. Worsley‘s book about Christie is really good too. Maybe I‘ll have a chance to re-read it before next month‘s discussion and then I can answer more questions 😂 2w

dabbe To address the racist/anti-Sematic slurs in her novels and why these novels still endure is a hard question for me. Perhaps at the heart of many of Christie's novels is a deep understanding of human nature and the frequent exploration of themes of greed, jealousy, betrayal, and the darker sides of human behavior. These themes transcend cultural and temporal boundaries, making her stories relevant to successive generations of readers. 2w

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MallenNC I agree that this is a question to wrestle with. In someways I think readers accept those parts of the books as reflective of the time they were written and that it‘s excused because the stories are so good. I read Lucy‘s book but I think I need to rewatch that part of the documentary. 2w

MariaW I‘ve read Worsley‘s book as well, but did not watch the documentary. I definitely have to find it. Again, I agree with @dabbe. And I am adding another point: Christie‘s novels have become such huge part of our modern day pop culture, they are considered as classics due to all the different famous adaptions. Nowadays we have more authors and books, there is an overflow of information. This was not the case yet at the beginning of the last century. (edited) 2w

MariaW I am not sure there will be found classics of our time in a hundred years or so. (edited) 2w

mrp27 It‘s definitely something I wrestle with, with many authors, artists etc. I don‘t know that there will ever be a clear cut answer of how to deal with this. We just learn and do better, be better. 1w

Librarybelle I think the particular segment is in episode 3, and I keep searching for a clip online—if I find it, I‘ll post. It‘s a question I wrestle with, and I think as modern day readers we see these instances in the books as flawed and degrading ( @dabbe in your response to the first question, you alluded to the troubling phrases). I‘ve yet to read Worsley‘s book, so I cannot speak to that personally. There may be no right way to respond to this. ⬇️⬇️⬇️ 1w

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️⬆️ I think, though, it is good to acknowledge that there are flaws. Incidentally, in 2023 Christie‘s works were one of the classics changed to remove the derogatory and racist comments by Harper publishing. I personally love Christie for her plotlines and the twists. She‘s one of my favorite authors. Somewhat related to this, I attended a webinar last night that the presenter was discussing myths in how history is presented…⬇️⬇️⬇️ 1w

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️⬆️ …and bringing the full truth to light. In this particular instance, a town in Massachusetts that has citizens fighting to remove inappropriate signs regarding the Indigenous community and properly recognizing the contributions of the non-WASP citizens. Someone called him out on his “impartial view” and his response was that it is not a condemnation of how people portrayed history in the past. Rather, it‘s up to us today to acknowledge…⬇️⬇️ 1w

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️⬆️…that portrayal as flawed and add more to the story. As he said, people 50 years from now may find fault with our interpretation of history and find a better way to convey how everyone in the community contributed to the overall town story. It‘s hard to explain on a post, but I found that seemed to fit well with this. We see these phrases, know they are bad, and it‘s a teachable moment for us to personally do better. @Aims42 @Bookwormjillk 1w

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️⬆️ @MallenNC @MariaW @mrp27 1w

RainyDayReading It‘s hard to come up with an answer for this. I agree with everyone above. Perhaps another reason why people seem okay with the remarks is because they‘re aware that these are classics and therefore contain things that are a product of their time and with that as context we can take the work as a whole and still enjoy it while disagreeing with the remarks? I don‘t know that there‘s a good answer for this. It‘s difficult to put thoughts into words. 7d

Librarybelle @RainyDayReading So true. It‘s hard for to put thoughts into words. 6d

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The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

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8. According to Brewer‘s Dictionary of Phrase & Fable, a red herring is “a hint or statement in the early part of the story to put the reader on the wrong scent” (derived from the practice of dragging a smelly red herring across a path to confuse hunting dogs). How many red herrings can you find in this mystery? ~from Penguin Random House Reading Group Guide #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers

dabbe 1. John Cavendish seemed to be highly suspect--until we find out that his suspicious behavior was mostly due to his anxiety about his financial situation.
2. There are letters that appear to suggest a romantic relationship between Evelyn and Dr. Bauerstein, which gives the impression that there might be a love triangle and a motive for murder, but this too is misleading and part of the complex relations to mask the real culprits. 2w

MariaW @dabbe Letters between Evie and Dr Bauerstein? I completely missed that. 🙈 Got definitely not thrown off by this one. 😂😂😂 The were so many: Inglethorp habing the affair instead of John. Lawrence insisting on the murder being a natural death, … 2w

MaleficentBookDragon The Doctor is the biggest one. The whole farmer‘s wife affair is another. I never saw where it was implied that it was John having the affair. That seemed to be pulled out of the blue at the end. Cynthia working at the pharmacy made her a suspect and red herring for me. 2w

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mrp27 Evelyn hatred was a big red herring. One does protest too much. 1w

Librarybelle I agree about Cynthia, @MaleficentBookDragon . The doctor was another one, and those letters! @dabbe @MariaW @mrp27 1w

RainyDayReading I agree with everyone above. Cynthia and the doctor being the biggest red herrings for me. Also how thoroughly everyone suspected Alfred and were insisting it was him until Poirot “cleared” him. Then after that it‘s like “well Poirot cleared him so it can‘t be him.” Oh but it can!! 7d

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The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

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7. According to the critic Anthony Lejeune, “The real secret of Agatha Christie . . . lies not in the carpentering of her plots. . .but in . . . [her] ability to buttonhole a reader, to make, as Raymond Chandler put it, ‘each page throw the hook for the next.‘ ” How does Christie build suspense in this novel? Were you surprised when the murderer was revealed? ~from Penguin Random House Reading Group Guide #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers

Bookwormjillk I thought I knew who did it, and was thrown off when we learned who the real murderer was. 2w

dabbe The problem I find with detective novels sometimes is that in order for them to supply the element of fair play for the reader, we have to be given all of the clues during the story. When everything is explained to us at the end, we literally feel stupid (a la Watson) and maybe even jaded that we, in fact, weren't given all the clues until the end. I saw that in this book and quite a few others (talking to you, Conan Doyle!) 2w

MariaW I agree with @dabbe. After most of Christie‘s nocels I felt like „How was is supposed to know?“. She gives the glues most of the times, but the reader is almost unable to grasp them, at least not during the first reading. For me it is more about reading about the different relationships, encounters and the changes in ther characters that make the books interesting. I already gave up guessing the murder. 🙈 (edited) 2w

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MaleficentBookDragon I know that we are supposed to have all the clues, Poirot even told Hastings a few times that he knew everything that Poirot did. But Hastings (meaning us) cannot piece them together. I suppose that is to show us how agile and different Poirot‘s mind is, but I do sometimes wish we could see the book from Poirot‘s viewpoint. I‘d love to see how he made the mental leaps he (Christie) made to get to the end of the mystery. 2w

Librarybelle Oh yes, I‘d love to see it from Poirot‘s perspective, @MaleficentBookDragon ! I‘m terrible at finding clues to begin with in a story—hence why it took me 4 times to find some of the clues Poirot mentions—but like @dabbe said, sometimes we the reader just don‘t have everything. @Bookwormjillk @MariaW 1w

RainyDayReading At this point I have just accepted the fact that I will never be able to figure out mystery novels particularly Christie mysteries so I just sit back and enjoy the story. I theorize but I don‘t obsess over whether I‘ve got it right or not. I know the point is to perhaps try to solve it before Poirot, but I don‘t wanna 🤣 I‘m rarely right anyway. 7d

Librarybelle Love it, @RainyDayReading ! I‘m always shocked when I figure out something! 😂 6d

RainyDayReading @Librarybelle It‘s a good feeling when you do though! 6d

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The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

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6. What role do outsiders play in The Mysterious Affair at Styles? Consider, in particular, the characters of Alfred Inglethorp, Dr. Bauerstein, and Hercule Poirot. ~from Penguin Random House Reading Group Guide #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers

dabbe Alfred fits the “nobody“ role who marries the rich ol' lady. Poirot is the detective who is “outside“ the realm of the regular police force--you have to have that in a detective novel, I think. Not sure about Dr. B. 2w

MallenNC I like the double meaning of outsider for Poirot. He‘s Belgian so he‘s outside of this British culture but that status doesn‘t stop him from seeing everyone as they really are. And he‘s outside of the case as a civilian (edited) 2w

MariaW There are more outsiders somehow: Hastings has been to Styles for years, Emily is the stepmother of the boys, Evie, Mary and Cynthia as well. It seems like a lot of outsiders were thrown into a salad bowl and mixed together. Dr Bauerstein is the red herring Agatha Christie needed to make the story more interesting. Poirot and Inglethorp are the antagonists - with Poirot circling Inglethorp like a cat lying in wait. 2w

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MaleficentBookDragon I agree with @MariaW that there were more outsiders than insiders. Johnathon & Lawrence were the only true family. Their stepmother was never close to them emotionally. Mary just came to Styles to escape her boring life. Cynthia was the poor relation with no prospects. Emily infiltrated Styles with an evil plan. Mr. Inglethorpe, the doctor, the policemen, the farmer‘s wife; they were all a bit of window dressing to keep us confused. 2w

mrp27 Felt like they were all outsiders in one way or another, even John and Lawerence who were only step sons. 1w

Librarybelle I like the idea that they were all outsiders to a degree, and good point @MallenNC that there is a double meaning to “outsider” with Poirot. And yes, @dabbe , Alfred fits that “nobody” role by marrying the matriarch. @MariaW @MaleficentBookDragon @mrp27 1w

RainyDayReading I agree with many of the comments here. There did seem to be a plethora of outsiders more than there was insiders. Which meant that the suspect pool could be bigger since suspicion typically falls on the “outsider” but if most of the characters fit the “outsider” definition that makes it harder to figure out “whodunnit” since you‘ve got more than just 1 or 2 characters to pick from. 7d

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The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

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5. How would you describe the Edwardian social hierarchy that Christie establishes in the novel? Who is on the top of the ladder, and who is on the bottom? Does anyone break the rules of this well-defined social order? ~from Penguin Random House Reading Group Guide #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers

dabbe It seemed to me that the Edwardian society was at the end of its run in the novel--mostly evident by Emily marrying basically a nobody. The idea of a remote country house also seemed to me to be an end-of-an-era feeling. 2w

MariaW Changes can be seen at the horizon for sure. Less personnel around, the ladies have to work… only the men still seem to do nothing (except being in the war). That Inglethorpe was penniless made the shock for the family even more terrible. 2w

MaleficentBookDragon It was interesting to see how there was a wistful nostalgia about the old ways from both Mrs. Inglethorpe (to be expected of the “lady of the house”) but also by a few of the servants like Dorcus. Fear of change perhaps? 2w

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Librarybelle I like that description, @MaleficentBookDragon , “wistful nostalgia.” It‘s definitely the end of the era. I love reading about the grand houses of England, and it‘s at this time that families can no longer afford these homes. So many economic reforms and, with heavy casualties from the war and a patriarchal society, no one to carry on the upkeep. @dabbe @MariaW 1w

RainyDayReading This definitely comes across as an “end of an era” sort of thing. Especially given the time period of the war and money being tight and not allowing things like paper to go to waste. The war was a time of change for a lot of people when it comes to society and class and I think this book did a good job of capturing that atmosphere. 7d

RainyDayReading I do think that Dorcus was an interesting character as a servant that didn‘t seem to like the shrinking of the household staff and what that implied moving forward in the future. The general assumption is that people didn‘t like being servants but perhaps there were some that were afraid of change and preferred the structure they were currently in. 7d

Librarybelle Agreed, @RainyDayReading ! Your comments make me think of Ishiguro‘s The Remains of the Day. 6d

RainyDayReading @Librarybelle I‘ll have to go look that up! I know Ishiguro but I‘m not familiar with The Remains of the Day. 6d

Librarybelle It‘s an excellent book! It‘s also a movie starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson, though I‘ve not seen it. @RainyDayReading (edited) 6d

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The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

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4. According to Agatha Christie, when she wrote The Mysterious Affair at Styles she saw it as “a story with a moral; in fact it was the old Everyman Morality Tale, the hunting down of Evil and the triumph of Good...” How is this reflected in the characters in the novel? Did you find them realistic, or did you think they were stereotypical? ~based on Penguin Random House Reading Group Guide #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers

dabbe I found them as realistic as they could be--being all rich and living in a luxurious mansion--which for the “everyman“ is a fantasy. The fact that the crime involved the gain of material wealth definitely is realistic since a lot of criminality is for that very reason. 2w

MallenNC I agree @dabbe that money is the motive in a lot of crime is the realistic part of this story— just watch a Dateline episode to see that. 2w

MariaW I thought the notion of a younger man marrying an older woman for the money seemed very stereotypical even though it came out very late in the novel. Especially how the whole family reacted the move of their stepmother. I think for the working class it might have have satisfactory to see the upper class cutting their throats over their inheritance. 2w

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mrp27 All the characters felt realistic as did the murder. 1w

Librarybelle Completely agree with all of you! And yes, @MallenNC —it‘s like a Dateline episode! @dabbe @MariaW @mrp27 1w

RainyDayReading I think they were both realistic and stereotypical in a sense. Money being a classic motive for murder and I think the characters behaved in a way that fit their personality & character. But the way Alfred(? I already forgot his name) was described as dark with dark hair and a beard so he must be up to no good I thought was stereotypical vs the loyal and steadfast Howard was beyond reproach and described as such. 7d

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The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

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3. The mystery is told through the eyes of Captain Hastings; we will also meet him in other Poirot novels. What do you think of Hastings? Think of the working relationship between Hastings and Poirot and Watson and Holmes (if you're familiar with the Sherlock Holmes stories). How are working relationships similar? Different? #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers

Aims42 I love the dynamic between Hastings and Poirot. I feel like as a reader we need Hastings to be the bridge between Poirot‘s thinking and methodology and what the reader knows. Hastings is like the translator, and I love how salty he gets when Poirot is like, “No, that is not what I mean” 😆 2w

dabbe Hastings and Poirot have that similar way of bantering with each other that I love. You know they both love each other, but they can get quite saucy with one another, too. 2w

MallenNC I agree that it‘s nice to have a narrator like Hastings to take us through the story. I also like how at different points he thinks he‘s got it all figured out. I think readers probably relate to him in that way. 2w

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MariaW I thought Hastings seemed kind of lost in this first one. Of course he had to be that way after being in the war. He seemed very restless while being around attractive women. The dynamic @aims42 mentioned definitely helps both to improve themselves and it makes it even more interesting because there are more sidetracks. The beginning was very similar Sherlock‘s Hound of the Baskervilles with the narrator explaing why he writes everything down. (edited) 2w

MariaW I did not read many of the Sherlock Homes novels yet, I only know a lot movie adaptions, but to me it seems like Poirot and Hastings do have more a friendship whilst Holmes‘ and Watson‘s relationship is more of the professional sort. This may due to the fact that those stories have been written almost 40 years earlier. Maybe Poirot seems „warmer“ because he is a foreigner? (edited) 2w

MaleficentBookDragon I think there is genuine affection between Hastings and Poirot, but like in my last comment, Hastings sometimes looks down on Poirot because of his quirks and age even though he knows how intelligent Poirot is and what an outstanding detective career Poirot had. Hastings could be a little arrogant and Poirot puts him in his place, do you speak, but not in a mean way. 2w

mrp27 I had no idea of Hastings character as a partner to Poirot. But I agree he is the bridge for the reader. I liked how he would get so annoyed with Poirot because I would get annoyed with him too. 1w

Librarybelle I agree with you @MariaW —Hastings and Poirot are more a friendship, and Holmes and Watson are more professional. There is a warmness to Poirot that is not quite evident in Holmes. As for Hastings, yes @MaleficentBookDragon , I noticed too the comments he makes about Poirot, which are not exactly friendly. Hastings does serve as a good bridge between Poirot and the reader. @Aims42 @dabbe @MallenNC @mrp27 1w

RainyDayReading I personally am not a big fan of Hastings. I like the dynamic between Hastings and Poirot, but don‘t enjoy having to read from Hastings perspective because he makes so many assumptions and jumps to conclusions. He‘s naive and thinks he knows best and that always irks me in characters. I think I‘d like him more if he was included in the books but it wasn‘t written as if he were telling the story. 7d

Librarybelle Good perspective on Hastings, @RainyDayReading ! I cannot remember which book later in the series, but I found Hastings very annoying. Sometimes he seems too naive or he thinks he‘s too smart. 6d

RainyDayReading @Librarybelle There were times I wanted to reach through the page and shake him 🤣 I was hoping perhaps he would grow as the books go on with him but I think we‘re stuck with him as he is. 6d

Librarybelle I think so, @RainyDayReading ! 😂 6d

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The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

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2. We meet Hercule Poirot for the first time in this novel. What are your impressions of him? He appears in over thirty novels and fifty short stories by Christie (and later in the continuation of stories by Sophie Hannah). What makes him such an appealing and enduring character? ~based on Penguin Random House Reading Group Guide #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers

Aims42 This is a GREAT question!! I love the balance between “Mr Know It All” and his silliness (those pesky little grey cells, Mon Ami) 2w

dabbe I adore him and his peculiar habits. It did get a wee bit annoying, though, when he would never tell Hastings ANYTHING, which meant we didn't know anything either--until the end of course. 2w

MallenNC What I like about Poirot is how he notices all the little details. I am not the best at that, even when reading. 2w

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MariaW I like his little annoying habits because we all do have those. And in the end his habit of arranging things symmetrically helped to solve the case. @dabbe I was annoyed as well sometimes, but then I made me remember that Hastings wanted to become a detective and Poirot somehow teaches him. (edited) 2w

dabbe @MariaW Good point! 🤩 2w

MaleficentBookDragon I love how quirky he is, yet seems genuinely kind and empathetic. And while he always seemed to be amused by Hastings and his wild (dumb) theories, he never seems to be truly laughing at him in a mean or condescending way. At least not to me. On the other hand, there were moments when Hastings was definitely looking down on Poirot because of his quirks or his age; but he always gets proven wrong by Poirot and then feels guilty for his thoughts. 2w

TheAromaofBooks Poirot loves people, and I think that is a huge part of what makes him an enjoyable protagonist. So many modern detective stories are about someone jaded by life and convinced that humanity sucks. But Poirot is always trying to bring a couple together, or to help someone regain their hope, all on the side whilst solving the mystery! 1w

mrp27 He‘s certainly a funny little man. But I like the balance of wits and quirks. 1w

Librarybelle I love that perspective, @TheAromaofBooks ! I never thought of his encouragements, but you‘re right. I think a lot of his popularity has to be the TV adaptations starring David Suchet—Suchet is Poirot! @Aims42 @dabbe @MallenNC @MariaW @MaleficentBookDragon @mrp27 1w

RainyDayReading I like Poirot! I think that in this book I did find some of his decisions annoying, like when he was clearly holding something back, but that could 100% be because we were reading through the perspective of Hastings and that‘s how he was portraying him. I think Poirot is appealing because people tend to underestimate him because he‘s such a “funny little man”. It makes his triumph all the more sweet. 7d

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The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

This post contains spoilers

1. What did you think of the book? Was this your first time reading the book?

A few facts:

*Published in 1920
*First Hercule Poirot novel
*Poirot was inspired by the Belgian refugees from WWI living in Torquay at the time Christie wrote this
*Christie and her first husband named their home Styles after this novel

#AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers

Aims42 So, I discovered around page 50 that I had already read this book 😂 But it‘s been a few years since I did so I didn‘t remember much. I think I actually liked it more reading it this time, I definitely didn‘t remember the amazing banter between Hastings and Poirot 🤣 2w

dabbe I enjoyed this first introduction to the infamous Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, even with some prejudices that made me majorly wince (the n-word is used once, and any Jewish person is referred to as the Jew 😳). The tying up of loose ends was quite the humdinger, too, and I had to read it twice to make sure I understood all of the red herrings and the actual clues that led the incomparable Poirot to solve the crime. 2w

Bookwormjillk Definitely dated, but wow Christie really finds her voice right away. I wouldn‘t be able to tell that was her first book if we weren‘t reading them in order. 2w

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MallenNC This was my second time reading this one but I only had a vague memory of the story. Whenever I read Christie I always think I‘m going to figure it out and I still didn‘t. 2w

MariaW I‘ve listened to a shortened audiobook in German some time ago, listened then the current audible radio play two weeks ago and finally read the ebook. I definitely have to say I prefer it in its original language. And I agree with @Bookwormjillk, if I hadn‘t known better I couldn‘t have said it was Christie‘s first crime fiction. (edited) 2w

Deblovestoread I honestly don‘t remember if I‘ve read this. I did have a bit of a Christie phase when I was young. It is hard to read these older novels with the cringy racism but it was a solid mystery and fine introduction to Poirot. 2w

MaleficentBookDragon This was my second time reading this book. I remembered most of what happened as so I did pick up in a few clues, but not as many as I thought I should. 2w

MaleficentBookDragon @Deblovestoread I know. She‘s a bit sexist as well, which still always surprises me when I read her books. 2w

mrp27 Not my first Christie nor my first Poirot but I did enjoy reading this one for the first time. 1w

Librarybelle This was my fourth time reading this one, and while it‘s not as polished as her later books, you can tell she‘s got a good formula going. Like some said, it would be hard to tell this was her first crime novel. I finally caught some of the clues in the story, but not all—maybe 4 more readings will get me there! 😂 @Aims42 @dabbe @Bookwormjillk @MallenNC @MariaW @Deblovestoread @MaleficentBookDragon @mrp27 1w

RainyDayReading This is the third time I‘ve read this and even though I knew the ending I still got just as sucked in trying to figure it out as I did the first time I read it. Some of the more racist and sexist comments took me aback a bit because I didn‘t remember them being there but overall I enjoyed it. Not a favorite but I had a good time. 7d

Librarybelle I think I enjoy her books because, no matter how many times you‘ve read it, you still get sucked into the story. @RainyDayReading 6d

RainyDayReading @Librarybelle That‘s very true! Just something about her books where you can‘t help but get sucked in. 6d

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The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

My 4th time reading this & I finally picked up on some of the clues! There‘s nothing like a wildly gesticulating Poirot dancing his way down the street to make one laugh (and I always picture the Suchet Poirot in my mind).

Discussion tomorrow! I‘ll post questions mid to late morning, US East Coast time. #192025 #1920 #LitsyAToZ #LetterM #52BookClub25 #TitleStartsWithLetterM #BBRC #Adult #AuthorCelebrity #AgathaChristieClubR3 #ChristiesCapers

janeycanuck, Aims42, MallenNC, LibrarianRyan, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, Texreader, elkeOriginal, AnneCecilie, Gissy, mrp27, Suet624, Cailey_Mac, Deblovestoread, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Laughterhp, Sace, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, PageShifter, willaful, AnishaInkspill

TheAromaofBooks I've read this so many times and still find it to be great fun. I love Hastings so much!! 2w

Aims42 That‘s who I picture as Poirot too 😂 Loved Hastings in this one too 2w

Librarybelle Hastings was so good, @TheAromaofBooks @Aims42 ! 2w

LibrarianRyan Nice 2w

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TheAromaofBooks

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

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I'm always happy to reread Christie and I'm pretty stoked about the #ChristieCapers readalong that @Librarybelle is hosting. While this isn't my favorite of her mysteries, it's still a great introduction to Poirot, Hastings, and Christie's writing style. This edition also included an alternate ending that Christie had written having the final reveal being in court instead of in the intimate family gathering, so that was interesting.

TheAromaofBooks #BookChain
#GottaCatchEmAll - Someone Naps (Komala) @PuddleJumper
#BookSpinBingo 2w

Librarybelle I like your edition! 2w

PuddleJumper 🐨🐨 2w

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TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle - I'm addicted to collecting these editions as they come out!! Gorgeous endpapers, too - https://beautifulbooks.info/illustratedbibliographies/illustrators-and-authors/a... - Although I will admit that they're glued binding so they don't lay flat while reading, which annoys me lol 2w

Librarybelle Lovely! 2w

kspenmoll That is a beautiful edition! 2w

MariaW Beautiful! 💗💗💗 And it‘s nice that you habe the original ending as well. 2w

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The Mysterious Affair at Styles | Agatha Christie

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I could not help but hear the voice of Peter Dinklage while I read it. 🙈 Definitely a good start into monthly reading of Poirot novels. I like the way Hastings was introduce with a story that concerne his life.

kspenmoll I enjoyed this as well. I also watched the movie after I finished the book. 😀 2w

Librarybelle Yay!! 2w

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Das fehlende Glied in der Kette | Agatha Christie

Poirot - the old matchmaker! 🤣🤣🤣

Ruthiella Yes, he is a romantic at heart! 3w

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majkia

The Mysterious Affair at Styles | Agatha Christie

Not my favorite Christie but fun to revisit as she invents Poirot and improves her writing.

I listened to the audiobook read by Richard Armitage who did a superb job.

#ChristieCapers @Librarybelle

Librarybelle Oh! That would be a great audio version to listen to! 3w

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The Mysterious Affair at Styles | Agatha Christie

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Oh my God, how good is Peter Dinklage as Hercule Poirot? His way of crying „Hastings!“ is perfect. This is definitely the best adaption ever.

74 likes

Aims42

The Mysterious Affair at Styles | Agatha Christie

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Themes: Golden Age Murder Mystery, Hercule Poirot & Hastings

I read this for January‘s #ChristieCapers - I can‘t wait for our discussion on 1/26 🤐🔎🙌

@Librarybelle

Librarybelle Yay!!! 1mo

47 likes1 comment

Deblovestoread

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

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#ChristieCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3

It‘s been a while since I‘ve read Agatha and this first outing has reminded me how much I loved her books.

#52BookClub25 #TitleStartswithM
#192025 #1920
#ISpyBingo 8 squares

@Librarybelle @TheAromaofBooks

kspenmoll This was such fun! 1mo

willaful My goodness, 8 squares! 1mo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!!! 1mo

Librarybelle Hooray!! 1mo

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Bookwormjillk

The Mysterious Affair at Styles | Agatha Christie

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Read this a little early for #ChristiesCapers because the library wants it back.

I was positive I had figured it out but of course I hadn‘t. Christie really hits her stride right from the start.

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie

Librarybelle Hooray! Yes, she‘s quite good at masking the real culprit! 1mo

tpixie @Librarybelle @Bookwormjillk this was the book that Agatha Christie wrote right before she disappeared, & was the ‘muse‘ Marie Benedict used with

(edited) 1mo

tpixie @Librarybelle @Bookwormjillk WRONG!! She named her house after this book!! The the book she wrote right before she disappeared, and Marie Benedict‘s muse was

Murder of Roger Ackroyd

(edited) 1mo

See All 6 Comments

Librarybelle @tpixie I need to read The Mystery of Mrs. Christie! 1mo

tpixie @Librarybelle yes you do! 😉 1mo

Bookwormjillk @Librarybelle it‘s a great book! 1mo

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kspenmoll

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

I see the rotund actor David Suchet from the Poirot movies in my mind‘s eye, “gambolling” (running /leaping playfully) across the lawn…😂😂😂😂 I love the sound/meaning of this word.

Cuilin It‘s always Suchet in my mind when I read a Poirot mystery. 1mo

Librarybelle I know! Suchet is always Poirot for me. Perfect casting, and a great actor. 1mo

54 likes2 comments

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

Repost for @Librarybelle

Our journey through Agatha Christie‘s mysteries begins this month!

Read at your own pace during the month, with discussion on January 26th.

If you would like to be added or removed from the tag list, let me know!

Original post - https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2824242

Librarybelle Thanks for reposting! 1mo

31 likes1 comment

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

Our journey through Agatha Christie‘s mysteries begins this month!

Read at your own pace during the month, with discussion on January 26th.

If you would like to be added or removed from the tag list, let me know!

I am also adding the link to a spreadsheet created by @TheAromaofBooks that better explains the pub order of the books as found on the official Christie website. Thanks, Sarah!!

#ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3

janeycanuck, Aims42, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, Lizpixie, MariaW, AnneCecilie, Gissy, mrp27, Deblovestoread, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, majkia, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Laughterhp, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, Tineke, PageShifter, willaful, AnishaInkspill

Librarybelle Spreadsheet link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1S9ZuaXeMSsPq7hz_3HF0Lp3pjajJyFPPc9He1HPr... 1mo

Librarybelle @LitsyEvents 1mo

Bookwormjillk Looking forward to it! 1mo

See All 24 Comments

Librarybelle I‘m so excited to do this, @Bookwormjillk ! 1mo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1mo

Librarybelle @TheAromaofBooks 😁 1mo

dabbe 🤩🥳🤗 1mo

MaleficentBookDragon Excited to read them all from the beginning! 1mo

Librarybelle Yes, @MaleficentBookDragon ! 1mo

Larkken I'll lurk 😍 I love so many of her books. Are you doing the ones pub under her pseudonym? 1mo

Librarybelle @Larkken Yay!! We‘re not going to read the 6 Westmacott titles, just focus on the books originally published under her Christie name. 1mo

elkeOriginal This is a fun nudge to read more of her books that I have missed! 1mo

Librarybelle It definitely is, @elkeOriginal ! Welcome! 1mo

BarbaraJean I‘m looking forward to this! This month‘s is a re-read for me, so I may not get to it, but I‘ll lurk for the discussion! That‘s probably how it‘ll go for me in general—I may not jump in if it‘s a re-read and my reading calendar is more full (haha, when is it ever not full?!), but I‘m definitely all in for the ones I haven‘t read yet. 1mo

Librarybelle Sounds good, @BarbaraJean Join in whenever! I think a few others plan to do that as well! 1mo

BarbaraJean @Librarybelle 👍 I mean, I have a great #AuldLangSpine list I need to prioritize in January 😁 1mo

Librarybelle @BarbaraJean 😁 I started True Biz a couple days ago and am enjoying it so far! 1mo

Sace Could I be added to the tag list? Not sure how much I‘ll participate but the book I‘m reading for January #authoramonth has put me in the mood for some Christie reading this year. 1mo

Librarybelle Of course, @Sace ! You‘re welcome to jump in and out! 1mo

Sace Thank you! 1mo

BarbaraJean @Librarybelle Yay!! I just finished Mrs Quinn and it was such a sweet read to start off the year. Need to post a review! 1mo

Librarybelle @BarbaraJean 😁 1mo

MallenNC Please add me to the tag list! I‘m going to try to read along as much as I can. 1mo

Librarybelle Will do, @MallenNC ! 1mo

51 likes24 comments

kspenmoll

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

My first read for 2025. Taking this to bed with me. #ChristieCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3 #January

Librarybelle I like that cover! 1mo

dabbe Beautiful cover! 🤩🥳🤗 1mo

kspenmoll @Librarybelle @dabbe I fell in love with the cover & its color scheme so I bought it even though I know my library has copies. Merry Christmas to me!!!!🎄 1mo

dabbe @kspenmoll 🩵❄️🩵 1mo

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TheAromaofBooks

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

I'm joining @Librarybelle for #ChristiesCapers and am super excited!! While our first read, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, has the same title in both the US and the UK, several of her later books have two different titles, which confuses the heck out of me. So, I made a table of her books with the publication date, UK title, US title, and a few notes. Feel free to save this, make a copy to edit for yourself, or whatever!!

If the US Title is ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) blank, it means the book had the same title both places. Some of the short story collections were only published in the UK, or only published in the US, so that's noted as well. If a book was published earlier in one place or the other, I used the earliest copyright date, regardless of location.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1S9ZuaXeMSsPq7hz_3HF0Lp3pjajJyFPPc9He1HPr... 1mo

Librarybelle Wow! I was just using the list from the Agatha Christie site and hoping I kept everything straight. Thanks! The short story collections are tricky. 1mo

Librarybelle Just had some time to look at this more…I love that you also have the series listed! Thanks for doing this! 1mo

See All 12 Comments

ImperfectCJ For the past few years, I've been following a Goodreads group doing this same thing (finishing up early 2026), but I've had a similar challenge with the titles/collections. Your list will be very helpful, even now in the home stretch! 1mo

Deblovestoread You are a rock star! My kind of list ❤️ 1mo

TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle - I started with the website you had linked and worked from there!! I figured even if we decide to not read the Mary Westmacott books or all the short story collections (especially since I think some stories are in multiple collections), it's still handy to have it all in one place!! At some point I may get crazy and list which stories are in which collections 😂 1mo

TheAromaofBooks @ImperfectCJ @Deblovestoread - Yay!! Those double titles always get me confused. I've definitely started to read one before and then gone... wait... I read this already... as something else 😂 1mo

Librarybelle Maybe I‘ll list out the short stories to help, since I think some appear in multiple collections. I‘m thinking we‘ll focus on just the books published under her name and not Westmacott, since @CSeydel recently led a group reading those. 1mo

TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle - We may not have to reinvent the wheel - this list seems fairly cohesive - https://agathachristie.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_short_stories_by_Agatha_Christie - and also here - https://www.agathachristie.com/en/stories?format=short-story&character=all - theoretically in publication order haha I've run into similar issues reading all of P.G. Wodehouse's works - so prolific, different titles, the same stories in multiple collections, etc 1mo

Librarybelle Excellent! Are you willing for me to share your spreadsheet with the group? I can include the link with my reminder on the 1st. Thank you for all of this research and work!! 1mo

TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle - Oh absolutely!! Spreadsheets are always for sharing 😂 1mo

Librarybelle Yay!! 1mo

55 likes12 comments

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

Repost for @Librarybelle

January starts the new round of #AgathaChristieClubR3 , and we‘ll read these #ChristiesCapers in original publication order.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles is the first book. Published in 1920, this book introduced the world to Hercule Poirot.

Read at your own pace. Discussion on January 26th.

See original post at https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2817944

Librarybelle Thanks for reposting! 2mo

37 likes1 comment

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

January starts the new round of #AgathaChristieClubR3 , and we‘ll read these #ChristiesCapers in original publication order.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles is the first book. Published in 1920, this book introduced the world to Hercule Poirot.

Read at your own pace. Discussion on January 26th.

Let me know if you would like to be added to the tag last. And, feel free to post the cover of your edition!

Aims42, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, mrp27, Deblovestoread, ferskner, Marmie7, MaleficentBookDragon, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Laughterhp, RainyDayReading, Skygoddess1, PathfinderNicole, dabbe, tdrosebud, TheAromaofBooks, Tineke, PageShifter, willaful, AnishaInkspill

Librarybelle @LitsyEvents 2mo

Aims42 Ooo, yay! I‘m still in 🤩 My bday is Jan. 25 so I might just have to give myself a bday gift of unlimited reading 😏🙌 (edited) 2mo

Librarybelle That sounds like a wonderful way to spend your birthday, @Aims42 ! 2mo

See All 25 Comments

Aims42 @Librarybelle 🥳🥳🥳 2mo

kspenmoll @Aims42 And my birthday is January 26- we are fellow Aquarians! 🧜🏻‍♀️ (edited) 2mo

kspenmoll I am excited about #ChristieCapers #AgathaChrisieClubR3 2mo

willaful Just ran across this article: https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/agatha-christie-surfing

2mo

Gissy Great! I read that one already but I can participate in the discussion 2mo

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! I am so ready to try getting through the entire Christie catalogue AGAIN 😂 2mo

Librarybelle I‘m looking forward to it, @kspenmoll and @TheAromaofBooks ! 2mo

Librarybelle Great article, @willaful ! I had no clue she was a surfer! 2mo

Librarybelle Wonderful, @Gissy ! 2mo

Aims42 @kspenmoll Wohoo!! ♒️💕 2mo

MariaW I‘d like to be in on this one as well. @Librarybelle 2mo

Librarybelle Yay, @MariaW ! I‘ll add you to the list! 2mo

majkia Please add me to the list. 2mo

Librarybelle Got you on the list, @majkia ! 😁 2mo

MaleficentBookDragon Yes, please add me to the tag list. Thank you! (edited) 1mo

Librarybelle You‘re on, @MaleficentBookDragon ! 😁 1mo

Lizpixie I‘m in! My Dame Agatha shelf has been begging me to reread for ages. 1mo

Librarybelle Great, @Lizpixie ! Welcome! 1mo

janeycanuck Oh, I failed miserably on the R2 version and I've been meaning to get back in. I think I fell off somewhere around 1935. Could I be added to the tag list? I'll probably participate only lightly for the titles I've already read and jump in more when R3 syncs up to where I am. Thanks!! 1mo

Librarybelle Yes, @janeycanuck ! Welcome! 1mo

StayCurious I think our next #IDLR book has a Christie flare to it @Librarybelle so should be fun! 1mo

Librarybelle That‘s so cool, @StayCurious !! 1mo

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The Mysterious Affair at Styles | Agatha Christie

repost for @Librarybelle:

January 2025 begins a new round of Agatha Christie reading in publication order, as per the Agatha Christie website (link in comments).

The first is the 1920 The Mysterious Affair at Styles, the first Hercule Poirot book.

I‘ll post an official Styles graphic closer to January, but wanted to give a reminder that our reading starts soon!

original post:
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2810726

Librarybelle Thanks for reposting! 2mo

38 likes1 comment

Liatrek

The Mysterious Affair at Styles | Agatha Christie

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Great Audio production! #Wintergames2024 #HolidayBookDragons @LiseWorks

43 likes

The Mysterious Affair at Styles | Agatha Christie

January 2025 begins a new round of Agatha Christie reading in publication order, as per the Agatha Christie website (link in comments).

The first is the 1920 The Mysterious Affair at Styles, the first Hercule Poirot book.

I‘ll post an official Styles graphic closer to January, but wanted to give a reminder that our reading starts soon!

Comment below to be added to the tag list!

#ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3

Aims42, kspenmoll, BarbaraJean, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, mrp27, Deblovestoread, ferskner, MaleficentBookDragon, Bookwormjillk, StayCurious, Laughterhp, Skygoddess1, dabbe, tdrosebud, TheAromaofBooks, PageShifter, willaful, Seabreeze_Reader, AnishaInkspill

Librarybelle Reading list: https://agathachristie.imgix.net/image-store/Read-Christie-2024/ACL_CompleteList... 2mo

Librarybelle @LitsyEvents 2mo

Aims42 Thanks for the reminder! 💗 2mo

See All 26 Comments

Librarybelle You‘re welcome, @Aims42 ! 2mo

dabbe Thanks! 💙❄️💙 2mo

Librarybelle You‘re welcome, @dabbe ! 2mo

mrp27 Should be fun! 2mo

Librarybelle @mrp27 😁 2mo

RainyDayReading I‘ve always been meaning to do this! I‘d love to be added to the tag list. 2mo

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! I'm looking forward to trying again! 😂 2mo

Librarybelle Welcome, @RainyDayReading ! 2mo

Librarybelle @TheAromaofBooks I know! I fizzled out in both rounds in the past! 2mo

PathfinderNicole I‘d love to be added to the tag list! 2mo

Librarybelle Welcome, @PathfinderNicole ! 2mo

StayCurious I‘m gonna give it a go!! 2mo

Librarybelle Yay, @StayCurious ! 2mo

kspenmoll Yes!!! 2mo

Librarybelle @kspenmoll 😁 2mo

Tineke Add me to the list please! I will read along with as many books as I can get. 2mo

Librarybelle Wonderful, @Tineke ! Welcome! 2mo

Marmie7 I'd like to give this try! 2mo

Librarybelle Hooray, @Marmie7 ! 2mo

Seabreeze_Reader @Librarybelle Could you please remove me from the tag list? Thank you. I think I've overextended myself and need to focus on my tbr reading. I might read a few Christie novels if the mood strikes but I usually see your posts in my homefeed anyway. 2mo

Librarybelle Sure, @Seabreeze_Reader ! 2mo

majkia Please add me to the list! 2mo

Librarybelle Of course, @majkia ! Welcome! 2mo

47 likes26 comments

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

@librarybelle is hosting #agathachristieclubR3 starting in January. See her original post for more details and to let her know if you want to join in:
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2801224

Librarybelle Thanks for reposting! 3mo

48 likes1 comment

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

Longtime Littens know there have been two rounds of groups reading Agatha Christie‘s mysteries in pub order. The most recent round was amazingly led by @ferskner .

Here comes round 3! Ann is kindly fine with me starting a new round. We‘ll read in pub order, starting with the tagged in January. Read at your own pace. Discussion on the last Sunday of each month. Comment below to be added to the tag list! #ChristiesCapers #AgathaChristieClubR3

Bookwormjillk Yes please! 3mo

Deblovestoread I‘ve not done well with #buddyreads this year but this is something I‘ve wanted to do so I‘ll give it a try. Also, it might help with #192025 3mo

Librarybelle Yay, @Bookwormjillk @Deblovestoread ! This will definitely help with #192025 , especially the 1920s. 3mo

See All 43 Comments

willaful @Librarybelle I was so annoyed not to find a Christie for 1921! It seems impossible that there isn't one! 3mo

Librarybelle @willaful I just checked the book pub dates and hadn‘t realized that there was not a 1921 publication! That is odd. 3mo

Aims42 yes! I want in on this!! 3mo

Librarybelle Awesome, @Aims42 ! 3mo

Aims42 Thank you! ☺️ 3mo

ShelleyBooksie This sounds fun! 3mo

Librarybelle @ShelleyBooksie I think it will be! Would you like to be tagged for the group? 3mo

kspenmoll Sign me up!!!! 3mo

Librarybelle Will do, @kspenmoll ! 😁 3mo

Laughterhp I‘ve been doing this on my own. I‘m in the year 1950, but I could start over. 3mo

Librarybelle @Laughterhp Completely up to you! You‘re pretty far into her works. I can add you to the list, and if you decide not to start over, just let me know! 3mo

mrp27 My reading has really slowed this year but I‘m willing to try and give it a go! 3mo

Librarybelle Wonderful, @mrp27 ! 😁 3mo

Laughterhp Sounds good, thanks! 3mo

willaful I think I'll join in too, at least sometimes. 3mo

Librarybelle Great, @willaful ! 😁 3mo

PageShifter Yesss!!! 3mo

AnishaInkspill 💛fantastic, I'm interested, pls add me 3mo

Librarybelle Hooray, @PageShifter @AnishaInkspill ! 3mo

Skygoddess1 Sounds like fun, I‘m in! 3mo

Librarybelle Awesome, @Skygoddess1 ! 3mo

BarbaraJean Please tag me! I‘ll probably drop in and out but would like to participate when I can. 3mo

Librarybelle That‘s great, @BarbaraJean ! 3mo

AnneCecilie I would love to be tagged. I started reading them in order, and would love to continue from where I stopped 3mo

dabbe I'd like to try! 🤎🍁🧡 3mo

Librarybelle Yay, @AnneCecilie @dabbe ! 3mo

MaleficentBookDragon I‘m in! 3mo

Librarybelle Awesome, @MaleficentBookDragon ! 3mo

JenlovesJT47 I‘d like to join! 🙋🏻‍♀️ 3mo

Librarybelle Yay, @JenlovesJT47 ! 3mo

TheAromaofBooks Please add me to your list. I was part of the last round and am always down for Christie!! 😁 3mo

Librarybelle Yay, @TheAromaofBooks ! She‘s a good read, and I think at this point, this will be the 3rd or 4th time I‘ve read The Mysterious Affair at Styles! 😂 3mo

tdrosebud Christie is one of my all-time favorite authors, and I would love to join. 3mo

Librarybelle Of course, @tdrosebud ! Welcome! 3mo

Seabreeze_Reader If it's ok I may join in with some of the books, as I have a varied assortment of some Christie mysteries on audio. 🙂 Keeping my minimal 2025 reading commitment flexible so I don't fail before I even begin. (edited) 3mo

Librarybelle That‘s perfectly fine, @Seabreeze_Reader ! I‘ll add you to the tag list, and feel feee to dip in and out of the books. 3mo

ferskner Me! I'll be free so soon! Thank you for wanting to do this! 3mo

Librarybelle Yay, @ferskner !! 3mo

StayCurious I sadly fell behind in Nancy drew but I‘d like to try this challenge. Please tag me 2mo

Librarybelle Hooray, @StayCurious ! 2mo

64 likes43 comments

OriginalCyn620

The Mysterious Affair at Styles | Agatha Christie

Full disclosure, I haven‘t actually read this one yet (I do own the audiobook so it‘s just a matter of time), but I feel confident in recommending Agatha Christie! She is/was the queen of mystery, after all.

#HauntedShelf #bookrecommendation #mysterious #DeadSerious

PuddleJumper

23 likes

LeftyDv

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

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The little detective Poirot is a fun know-it-all and I much enjoyed the light mystery. I‘ll be mixing in some Agatha Christie books into my future reading plans.

3 likes

kellock

Mysterious Affair at Styles: By Agatha Christie | Agatha Christe

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Another Poirot down

10 likes

kellock

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot) | Agatha Christie

Next serial read. Am finding this an excellent way to read more.

14 likes

nanuska_153

The Mysterious Affair at Styles | Agatha Christie

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What can I say about the queen of the murder mystery, all the clichés are here, but she created them. Hastings is a bit of a simpleton which gives us some funny moments and it's interesting to see Poirot's first case, also it has drawings with layouts of the room and the house, always a plus for me. You won't find any depth in the story, but if you grabbed an Agatha Christie book you weren't looking for it, just to be entertained.

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