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typedtruths's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
#1) The Mysterious Affair at Styles ★★★☆☆
look, the period typical sexism gets me every time i read christie but her mysteries are god tier. they deliver time. i think i know how it will go down and it never, ever works that way. hands down, the only author i can't predict and i love it
(except for the weird romance subplot but eh)
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
➸ Trigger warnings for period-typical sexism, infidelity, minor blood and injury depiction (fainting episodes, dead bodies), death of a father and husband, death from an epileptic fit mentioned (off-page), murder by stabbing with a knife, faked being tied up and held captive by armed burglars, false incarceration, and blackmail mentionedthebakerbookworm's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was my third Hercule Poirot book, the first two being Murder on the Orient Express and Mysterious Affair at Styles. For some reason, I thought I’d read more, but I’m on a role now!
I did like this one—it has plenty of twists and the mystery was engaging. Poirot, as ever, is utterly amusing, and I greatly enjoyed his interactions and competition with Detective Giraud. It was also very readable, with short chapters and a fast-moving plot.
That being said, Hastings is so annoying in this book! He acts like a lovestruck teenager for most of it, and I really just wanted to give him a good thump on the head to knock some sense into him haha. Thankfully Poirot is there to make sure Hastings doesn’t derail the investigation too much. But seriously, he needs a better investigative buddy.
I watched the TV episode of this story soon after reading, and the changes they made had me laughing—but it made for good TV!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Grief, and Sexism
Minor: Infidelity
anna_hepworth's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I've not read this one of Christie's before, but I can see some of the patterns that are common within other stories, and was interested in seeing how the plot came together.
Thoughts on finishing - this is one of the good ones. There are lots of fascinating twists and turns, there are people faking alibis all over the place (for themselves and others), Hastings gets to show what a twit they are while still being a generally good egg. There is a scathing commentary on modern policing which puts the police in a bad light.
I'm giving this one a 4, because unfortunately, it is showing its age, and I doubt that I would rate many of the Christie's as five star reads these days, even if I might have when reading as a more naive individual. Other than classism and misogyny that seems in keeping with the setting, I didn't notice any isms, but that doesn't mean they were there (I was reading this on a plane as something that didn't require a lot of focus; I would not call myself at all a discerning reader in this context)
Thoughts on finishing - this is one of the good ones. There are lots of fascinating twists and turns, there are people faking alibis all over the place (for themselves and others), Hastings gets to show what a twit they are while still being a generally good egg. There is a scathing commentary on modern policing which puts the police in a bad light.
I'm giving this one a 4, because unfortunately, it is showing its age, and I doubt that I would rate many of the Christie's as five star reads these days, even if I might have when reading as a more naive individual. Other than classism and misogyny that seems in keeping with the setting, I didn't notice any isms, but that doesn't mean they were there (I was reading this on a plane as something that didn't require a lot of focus; I would not call myself at all a discerning reader in this context)
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Infidelity
sarahchuuu's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism
kers_tin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Sexism, and Misogyny
victoria_2002's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Sadly I found it all very confusing and hard to keep reading. It almost felt like a chore to finish this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Misogyny, Death of parent, Classism, Murder, and Sexism
manu_k's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Well written, but loses pacing in the middle, and becomes a bit slow. Not the best of Christie but not the worst either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity and Sexism
agata1996's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
possiblyeve's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
a solid Christie, didn't realise this was the 2nd Poirot! didn't guess the ending (i never have, for a christie) and i like hastings as a foil and fresh narrative perspective.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexism