# Hercule Poirot — The Mysterious Affair at Styles character guide > Hercule Poirot in The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Monsieur Poirot, old Poirot, Mr. Poirot, Poirot **First appearance:** 0001-the-mysterious-affair-at-styles ## Who they are A retired Belgian detective with egg-shaped head and impeccable moustaches, quietly untangling the poisoner's knot at Styles while everyone else chases the obvious suspect. ## Relationships ### [Emily Inglethorp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/emily_inglethorp) _professional_ Poirot investigates Emily's murder, making her the central victim of the case he is hired to solve. ### [Alfred Inglethorp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/alfred_inglethorp) _rivalry_ Alfred is the prime suspect in his wife's murder, and Poirot actively works to expose his guilt. ### [Evelyn Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/evelyn_howard) _professional_ Evelyn is a key witness and ally to Poirot, providing crucial information about the household and the victim. ### [John Cavendish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/john_cavendish) _professional_ Poirot interviews John as a suspect and later clears him, working alongside him to solve the crime. ### [Mary Cavendish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/mary_cavendish) _professional_ Poirot interacts with Mary as a suspect and witness, observing her secretive and strained demeanor. ### [Dorcas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/dorcas) _professional_ Dorcas, the loyal housemaid, assists Poirot with household details and observations. ### [Cynthia Murdoch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/cynthia_murdoch) _professional_ Cynthia is a young resident and suspect who cooperates with Poirot's investigation. ### [Sir Ernest Heavywether](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/sir_ernest_heavywether) _professional_ Sir Ernest is the defense lawyer for Alfred, and he clashes with Poirot in the courtroom. ### [Inspector Japp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/inspector_japp) _professional_ Inspector Japp is a Scotland Yard detective who works alongside Poirot, often with friendly rivalry. ### [Lawrence Cavendish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/lawrence_cavendish) _professional_ Lawrence is a quiet suspect and John's brother, providing Poirot with alibis and scientific insights. ### [Alfred Inglethorp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/alfred_inglethorp) _rivalry_ Alfred is the prime suspect in his wife's murder, and Poirot actively works to expose his guilt. ### [Emily Inglethorp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/emily_inglethorp) _professional_ Poirot investigates Emily's murder, making her the central victim of the case he is hired to solve. ## 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) Visits Cynthia's dispensary; Hastings recognizes him and recounts his exploits on the way home. ### [IV: Poirot Investigates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/iv-poirot-investigates) Poirot listens to Hastings' account, stresses the importance of small details, and begins his investigation by examining the boudoir and Mr. Inglethorp's desk. ### [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) Examines coffee cups and the charred will fragment; questions Manning; shows suppressed excitement at breakfast. ### [VI: The Inquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/vi-the-inquest) Observes the proceedings closely, noting Inspector Japp's presence and reacting to Inglethorp's testimony. ### [VII: Poirot Pays His Debts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/vii-poirot-pays-his-debts) Takes the initiative in the investigation, reveals Inglethorp's alibi, and argues against his arrest, demonstrating his deductive reasoning. ### [Fresh Suspicions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/viii-fresh-suspicions) Dismisses Evelyn Howard as a suspect due to lack of motive; sends Hastings with a cryptic message for Lawrence; has cocoa re-analysed; reacts with intense surprise upon learning Dr. Bauerstein was at Styles on the night of the murder. ### [IX: Dr. Bauerstein](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/ix-dr-bauerstein) Sends message about the extra coffee-cup, questions Mary and Lawrence about the bolted door, and wishes to visit the dispensary. ### [The Arrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/x-the-arrest) Returns from London; reveals Dr. Bauerstein is arrested as a German spy; examines the brown paper label and deduces the initial is 'L'; confident he knows how the crime was committed. ### [XI: The Case for the Prosecution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/xi-the-case-for-the-prosecution) Works behind the scenes; lacks the final link in his chain; grows increasingly discouraged as the trial progresses. ### [The Last Link](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/xii-the-last-link) Delivers the final explanation of the crime, revealing the truth behind the will, the narcotic, and the strychnine. ### [XIII: Poirot Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/xiii-poirot-explains) Explains his methods and reasoning to Hastings, revealing his deliberate deception and strategy to catch the real criminals. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/characters/hercule_poirot - 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