Agatha Christie’s “The Mysterious Affair at Styles”

Agatha Christie’s debut novel “The Mysterious Affair at Styles” is a murder mystery that introduces fictional detective Hercule Poirot, her very own Sherlock Holmes. A wealthy lady gets murdered in her manor at Styles and all evidence points to her husband Alfred. Was the murder premeditated or crime of passion? When there are more suspects within the household who could benefit out of the demise of Emily, was Albert the real murderer? 

The novel starts off as a template cozy murder mystery until Hercules Poirot arrives at the scene to investigate. The novel stands out in Agatha Christie’s brilliant staging of the crime scene and her intricate detailing of the evidence discovered at the crime scene. With the suspicion shifting from one member to another in the household, the novel develops into a slow burn whodunit with time, setting and atmosphere playing a pivotal role in finding the murderer. 

The detailing in the novel demands a close follow up of the happenings which might be confusing at times. But, the author makes an attempt to revisit and comprehend the ongoing investigation then and there, so that the readers don’t lose track. Though the novel progresses at a measured pace, there is enough drama to keep the readers engrossed.

A slow burn whodunit that stands out for the staging of the crime scene and the ensuing investigation! Highly recommended!

Agatha Christie’s “Hickory Dickory Dock”

“Hickory Dickory Dock” is another murder mystery from Agatha Christie. Detective Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s very own Sherlock Holmes makes an appearance in this mystery novel that is a cozy murder mystery set in a hostel on Hickory Road, London. Other than the name of the lane, the novel has no connection with the children’s rhyme, something unexpected from Agatha Christie. The novel starts off with a series of petty thefts that happen inside the hostel which seem trivial. But, Hercule Poirot and his obsession with order and method interests him in these absurd “disappearances”. He senses there is something more serious behind these thefts, will he be able to crack it before it is too late?

The novel starts off slow, but gains pace once a murder happens at the hostel. The police investigation and Poirot’s conversation with the students bottles up the suspense that keeps the readers engrossed. There are certain racial and political stereotypes, considering the novel was written in 1950s. Though the novel has the Poirot brand, this novel does not have the usual psychological angle to the investigation which Poirot believes in. The overwhelming list of characters and their diverse backgrounds are at times difficult to track and needs keen attention. 

Agatha Christie

The climax is underwhelming, there is not much logical explanation around Poirot’s inference of the murderer from the list of suspects. Though the twist in the end is unexpected, the missing rationale behind how Poirot jumps to conclusions that turn out to be true and “Poirot just knows!” act is out of character for Hercule Poirot. There are a few sparks of brilliance in this murder mystery, but that isn’t enough to keep up the Poirot brand!

“Never Lie” by Freida McFadden

“Never Lie” from Freida McFadden, the author of “The Housemaid” series is a standalone psychological thriller that is set in a deserted manor. Tricia and Ethan, newlyweds decide to visit a manor they are interested in buying. The manor is huge and is situated in a secluded place that is cutoff from the city. The real estate agent who was supposed to show them around doesn’t turn up and it starts to snow heavily when they reach the place. They are stuck in a blizzard and forced to stay in the manor. 

They come to know that the house was previously owned by Dr.Hale, a psychiatrist who went missing few years back. There are also rumours that she was murdered by her boyfriend. Tricia accidentally stumbles upon a secret room full of tapes containing the recordings of patients of Dr.Hale. As she starts listening to the tapes, she learns about the chain of events that lead up to the mysterious disappearance of Dr.Hale. With this solid premise, does “Never Lie” live up to the hype?

The novel starts off with a striking resemblance to Alice Feeney’s “Rock Paper Scissors”. Most of the action happens inside the manor and the interesting sequence of events told in a non-linear fashion sets up a brilliant cozy mystery. The different POVs of the primary characters keeps the novel moving, but the novel picks up rapid pace once the mysteries start to unravel in the second half. Everyone holds a secret and tries to protect it no matter what. The events unfurl in a seamless fashion and keeps us guessing until the climactic end. There are few instances where the happenings are logically unsatisfying but that doesn’t reduce the tension building up. Despite some logical flaws, this novel is intriguing and has some genuine twists!

“Rock Paper Scissors” by Alice Feeney

Alice Feeney’s “Rock Paper Scissors” is a psychological thriller set in an eerie chapel that is cut off from the city. A couple in a desperate attempt to save their marriage and patch things up plan a weekend getaway to a secluded place which the wife won in a Christmas raffle. On their arrival, they experience mysterious happenings in and around the chapel that are paranormal in nature. Is there a rational explanation to what they experience? Were they lured in to visit this chapel? What is it that is planned for them?

Adam, a screenwriter who suffers from face blindness and his wife Amelia arrive at the chapel to give a try at renewing their relationship. With secrets at stake which they have hidden from each other and their past catching up with them, they realise that their stay at the chapel is life threatening.

Alice Feeney

The first half of the novel is slow paced with the happenings restricted to a closed atmosphere. The letters written by the wife secretly on each anniversary and hidden from her husband serve  as a nonlinear narrative to the story. Though this narrative occasionally gives the high points, the novel tests your patience for an impending twist which takes long to show up. But, the author drops a banger of a twist after the first half and from then on, there is no looking back. 

The novel is filled with quotes that are superficial and often distracting. There are few knots that are put up early on and left unattended when the story unravels at the end. 

A novel surviving on a sole twist which is genuinely surprising, but one has to sit through a snail paced narration in the first half to experience it. 

"The Maid" by Nita Prose

"The Maid" by Nita Prose is a cozy mystery novel that revolves around a maid who finds a business tycoon dead during her cleaning duty in a high profile luxury hotel. Molly, the maid who struggles with her cognitive abilities especially relating to sociability finds herself accused of murder. 

The novel takes too much time establishing the character of Molly and her condition that it becomes repetitive after a point of time and the suspense around the murder takes a backstage in the first half. The second half of the novel moves at a steady pace with the proceedings building up the suspense, but suffers from inconsistencies in character sketch of Molly. 

The well-written courtroom scenes are few sparks of brilliance in an otherwise predictable novel. The climactic end gives us some interesting twists which is a savior. Despite the shortcomings, the novel is still a good read.