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!

Agatha Christie’s “The Murder on the links”

Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s very own Sherlock Holmes reappears in this complex whodunit which is twisted, smart and compelling. 

Poirot receives a letter from a wealthy businessman Monsieur Renauld summoning him to France to help him from an impending danger. Poirot arrives at France only to learn that his arrival is late and Renauld has already been murdered. His wife, his rumoured mistress and her young daughter, his son, an unknown lady who met with him on the day of the murder and a tramp are in the list of suspects and Poirot is presented with innumerable possibilities, and to top that he is pitted against a younger and equally competent detective. 

Despite the twisted storyline and the overwhelming list of characters, the novel keeps us guessing until the very end and at no point it gives us the feel that we have it all figured out. The psychological angle to the murder investigation that Agatha Christie brings in every Poirot novel is a delight to read. 

Readers might need to closely follow up on the characters, their relations with each other and to the victim and the information they reveal in the interrogations. Yet, this is a smartly written murder mystery that never loses its steam.

The “The A.B.C. Murders” by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie’s “The A.B.C. murders” is part of the series in which her famous fictional detective character Hercule Poirot appears. A serial killer out on a killing spree chooses his victims alphabetically and announces the place and time of the crime beforehand in a letter sent to Hercule Poirot. Poirot is bent upon cracking the pattern of these murders and prevent the next from happening. 

The novel starts off as a template serial killer mystery with much of the proceedings adding to the suspense quotient behind the identity of the murderer and the selection of his victims. But, the novel takes an interesting turn when the killer inadvertently leaves behind a trail. With Poirot and the officials closing in on the killer’s identity, the suspense in the second half still lingers on the motive behind the killings. With the motive kept under wraps until the very end, the novel sustains the readers’ attention but the revelation in the climax might garner mixed reviews.

The psychological angle of Poirot’s investigation is a great addition to the storyline. Though the novel lacks consistent high points, it does give a proper closure by unravelling all the knots in a timely and convincing way. A gripping novel with a climax that might be a miss-or-hit. 

Nevertheless, this is a quick read.