The Mysterious Affair at Styles · Chapters

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Chapter companions for The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie.

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Chapter 1
Dedication
The book is dedicated to the author's mother.
Chapter 2
The Mysterious Affair at Styles
The opening chapter introduces the setting of Styles Court and the arrival of Arthur Hastings as a guest. The household is introduced, including the elderly Mrs. Inglethorp, her much younger husband Alfred, her stepsons John and Lawrence Cavendish, John's wife Mary, and the young ward Cynthia Murdoch. Tensions are hinted at, particularly surrounding the recent marriage and the presence of the mysterious Dr. Bauerstein. The chapter establishes the atmosphere of suspicion and hidden conflicts that will lead to the central mystery.
Chapter 3
I: I Go to Styles
Arthur Hastings, invalided home from the Front, accepts an invitation from John Cavendish to stay at Styles Court. He learns of the recent marriage of John's stepmother, Mrs. Inglethorp, to a much younger man, Alfred Inglethorp, which has caused family tension. Evelyn Howard, Mrs. Inglethorp's companion, quarrels with Alfred and leaves abruptly, warning Hastings to watch over Mrs. Inglethorp and to beware of her husband. Hastings meets Dr. Bauerstein, a poison expert and friend of Mary Cavendish, and senses an atmosphere of suspicion and approaching evil.
Chapter 4
The 16th and 17th of July
Hastings recounts the events of July 16th and 17th at Styles. The household prepares for an evening entertainment where Mrs. Inglethorp recites a war poem. The next day, Hastings and Lawrence visit Cynthia at her dispensary, where they meet Hercule Poirot. Returning home, they find Mrs. Inglethorp agitated after a row with her husband. Mary Cavendish is also disturbed, and Hastings overhears a tense exchange between her and Mrs. Inglethorp. That evening, Dr. Bauerstein arrives muddy from a fall, and Mrs. Inglethorp retires early, still carrying her coffee untasted.
Chapter 5
III: The Night of the Tragedy
Hastings is awakened by Lawrence Cavendish, who reports that Mrs. Inglethorp is gravely ill and has locked herself in her room. The household gathers, and after breaking down the door, they find her suffering violent convulsions. Dr. Bauerstein arrives and suspects poisoning, while Dr. Wilkins is called. Mrs. Inglethorp dies, and a postmortem is agreed upon. Hastings proposes bringing in Hercule Poirot to investigate, and John Cavendish reluctantly agrees.

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Dedication

The Mysterious Affair at Styles

I: I Go to Styles

The 16th and 17th of July

III: The Night of the Tragedy