# Cynthia Murdoch — The Mysterious Affair at Styles character guide

> Cynthia Murdoch in The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Cynthia, Mademoiselle Cynthia, little Cynthia, Miss Cynthia, Miss Murdoch

**First appearance:** 0002-i-i-go-to-styles

## Snapshot

A lively young VAD nurse whose dispensary work at Styles puts her near the poisons cabinet — and squarely in Poirot's patient line of questioning.

## Who they are

Cynthia Murdoch is the orphaned daughter of an old friend of Mrs. Inglethorp's, kept at Styles as a kind of cheerful dependent and put to work in the village hospital dispensary. She is bright, unguarded, and perpetually short of sleep, which makes her both a sympathetic presence and a convenient witness to the household's comings and goings. When the dispensing of medicines becomes central to the case, her innocent proximity to the powders and bottles turns her into one of the quiet puzzles Poirot must work through.

## Relationships

### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/hercule_poirot)

_professional_

Cynthia is a young resident and suspect who cooperates with Poirot's investigation.

### [Mary Cavendish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/mary_cavendish)

_friendship_

Cynthia and Mary are friendly housemates, though Mary is often distant and preoccupied.

### [Emily Inglethorp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/emily_inglethorp)

_family_

Cynthia is Emily's ward, living under her roof with a dependent but affectionate bond.

### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/hercule_poirot)

_professional_

Cynthia is a young resident and suspect who cooperates with Poirot's investigation.

### [Emily Inglethorp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/emily_inglethorp)

_family_

Cynthia is Emily's ward, living under her roof with a dependent but affectionate bond.

### [Emily Inglethorp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/emily_inglethorp)

_family_

Cynthia is Emily's ward, living under her roof with a dependent but affectionate bond.

### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/hercule_poirot)

_professional_

Cynthia is a young resident and suspect who cooperates with Poirot's investigation.

### [Mary Cavendish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/mary_cavendish)

_friendship_

Cynthia and Mary are friendly housemates, though Mary is often distant and preoccupied.

### [Mary Cavendish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/mary_cavendish)

_friendship_

Cynthia and Mary are friendly housemates, though Mary is often distant and preoccupied.

## In the story

### [The 16th and 17th of July](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/ii-the-16th-and-17th-of-july)

Works at the hospital dispensary; Hastings and Lawrence visit her; she learns of a row between Mrs. Inglethorp and Alfred from Dorcas.

### [It Isn't Strychnine, Is It?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/v-it-isn-t-strychnine-is-it)

Looks tired and ill; mentions a headache; takes coffee without sugar, which catches Poirot's attention.

### [VI: The Inquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/vi-the-inquest)

Testifies she was asleep and heard nothing of the tragedy.

### [IX: Dr. Bauerstein](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/ix-dr-bauerstein)

Returns from hospital, confides in Hastings about feeling unwanted, and rejects his marriage proposal.

### [The Last Link](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/xii-the-last-link)

Was drugged by Mary Cavendish, explaining her deep sleep during the night of the murder.

### [XIII: Poirot Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/xiii-poirot-explains)

Enters briefly to kiss Hastings and Poirot, indicating her newfound happiness with Lawrence Cavendish.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/cynthia_murdoch
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters