I am not new to this author. I have read couple of her books and have watched movies based on her novels, for instance Murder on the Orient Express and I feel that her novels have plots that lend themselves to making brilliant movies. Her characters are very lifelike and interesting, a fodder for directors who have made use of them to make their movies more engaging. There is no disputing the fact that Agatha Christie is Queen of Crime and that her murder mysteries get the readers hooked on from the very first chapter. The sleuthing skills of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple are legendary and are her endearing creations as fictitious detectives, who go about solving the murder mysteries. I love the character of Hercule Poirot, the Belgian detective, whose eyes are like emeralds and gleam like that of a cat, when he chances on something while unravelling a murder mystery. His little grey cells work overtime while on a case. He is very fastidious and finicky and goes about solving a case methodically. This murder at Styles, is the authors debut novel, published in 1920,set in the backdrop of the First world war, which catapulted her into fame. Captain Hastings is the narrator and a friend of Poirot., who introduces him into the estate, to solve the murder of Emily Inglethorp, the elderly wealthy owner of the Manor. The other characters include, her husband, a young man, from her recent marriage, Alfred Inglethorp, her stepsons John Cavendish and Lawrence Cavendish, John's wife Mary, Cynthia Murdoch, (the daughter of a deceased friend of the family), and Evelyn Howard, (Emily's companion). On the night before the murder, Emily ate little at dinner and retired early taking her document case with her, which was later found forced open and foul play was suspected. On the morning of 18th july, the inmates of the estate wake up to the discovery of Emily's death and subsequently learn of the fact that she was poisoned with strychnine. To understand the plot and the cause of the death, we just have to take into account the theme of the novel which is I think, wealth, inheritance and power. Wealth affects personal relationships and can put a strain on, complicating matters. It can make the characters behave in peculiar ways, as they come to terms with the wills, being made by Emily ever so often. Poirot learns that John stands to inherit the property in accordance with his father's will. However, her money will be distributed according to her own will which she alters at least once a year. The recent will favors Alfred. On the day of the murder, Emily was heard having an argument with someone suspected to be either John or Alfred. She was so upset that she made a new will of which nobody found any evidence. Poirot sets himself up on the case by adding up to clues like the smashed coffee cup, splash of candle grease and the name of her husband's on her dying lips. Inspector Japp from the Scotland Yard also is investigating the case and the exchanges between him and Poirot was amusing, to say the least, with Japp calling Poirot, "moosier". They arrive at conclusions that are divergent but theirs is a friendly banter. As for me, I didn't suspect Alfred as he had an alibi. He was away from the manor and was at the village spending time with his friend Mrs. Raikes. As for Evelyn, her sudden departure, I felt was more than what meets the eye. As the trial got underway, with the prosecuter Sir Ernest Heaveywether, cross examining the Cavendishes, I felt that the crime could be committed by either of them. At the same time I felt that it could not have been so straightforward as that. Japp arrests John as the phial of poison was found in his room, along with other incriminating evidence of articles like the false beard and pair of pence-nez found within the manor. But I felt that, the murderer, could have planted it in the room, in order to frame him. As for Poirot, he has his nerves, as at this stage, he is unable to put his finger on the "last link in my chain". He feels certain that John will be acqitted and opts to work from behind the scenes. He tells Hastings that Japp has made all the discoveries and that Japp will take all the credit. Further he says that if at all he is called upon to give evidence, it will probably be as a witness for the defence. He feels sure that the prisoner John did not destroy that will. I even suspected Doctor Bauerstein of having committed the crime, as he seemed to be the least likely of suspects. Besides, he had access to Mrs Inglethorp and was an expert in poison or toxicology. As it happened however, he was arrested by Inspector Japp not for murder but for espionage. In the meantime, Hercule Poirot, has his methods of going about investigating, about which Hastings says, "I feel sure he is as mad as a hatter, and then just as he is at his maddest, I find that there is method in his madness." As we go through the trial, we even suspect Lawrence Cavendish, as he is in line to inherit Styles Court on the occasion of something happening to John, who is childless. Lawrence was at the dispensary with another guest at the RedCross hospital in Tadminster. He was alone for a while when he unlocked the cupboard and examined one bottle in particular, which was labelled as Hydro-Chloride of Strychnine. He left the unmistakable fingerprints on it and we also come to know he was naturally interested in science and was studying to be a doctor. He also turns a "sickly greenish colour" while being cross examined. He was thus put on the dock by the prosecuter. In Chapter 12 however, (The Last Link), the story suddenly takes a turn with Hastings inadvertently giving Poirot a clue to finally solving the case. He is so overwhelmed that he kisses Hastings warmly on both his cheeks and rushes out. Following morning he arrives at Styles Court estate accompanied by Japp and his colleague Summerhaye. So we know that this is the denoument and that as is the convention with Poirot, he asks Mary Cavendish, permission for a "little reunion in the salon", where he would like to have everyone present while unravelling the case and convicting the murderer. He says, that there is going to be a delay in proceedings however until Mr. Inglethorp arrives and that he has sent him his note. On hearing this Miss Howard says that, "if he is coming into the house, I leave it...". Poirot says no in a low voice and asks her to stay. What actually happened and how and who administered the poison comes later in this chapter and I leave it to the readers to find out. Mary Cavendish was also in the scene of crime for a short while, as explained by Poirot in this chapter. On the whole this novel doesnt disappoint. Even though her debut novel, "she betrays the cunning of an old hand".
