The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Agatha Christie launches the legendary career of Hercule Poirot with this classic tale of intrigue. Did one of the Cavendish brothers poison their stepmother, Mrs. Iglethorp, or was it her new husband? Nadia May reads with such a delightful English accent, intonation, and careful pacing that the suspense and drama build gradually. Each character is easily distinguishable and a treat to listen to, especially Poirot. This baffling tale with many characters is a bit difficult to follow but well worth the effort. The compulsion to discover the truth is motive enough for all listeners. S.C.A. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Christie's first mystery is a must for vintage mystery fans. Hercule Poirot's strong accent is amusing and fits the fussy, little man. Some of the voices of the large cast of suspects blend together, but it matters not. S.G.B. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Hercule Poirot's first case, like so many of his others, involves money, greed and murder. David Suchet, who plays Poirot on PBS's "Mystery," clearly had a ball taking on all the rest of the characters, as well, in this rendition. The story is told through the voice of Mr. Hastings, whose unwitting pomposity is so dead-pan as to be hilarious. The various family members are both distinctive and representative of that particular class of the British that we expect from Christie. Suchet as Poirot sparkles, skipping over the pages with his fussy manners, elegant mustache and Belgian accent. S.F. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Mrs. Cavendish's murder throws the entire household under suspicion, necessitating the sleuthing skills and keen logic of Hercule Poirot to solve the crime. David Case meets the challenge of performing seemingly endless variations of vocal tones and speech patterns. Case's remarkable talent for imitating different British classes and dialects brings the characters to life. With finely tuned deftness to each character's vocal requirements, Case smoothly moves from character to character without the slightest mistake. His French (oops, Belgian!) accent adds depth and substance to detective hero Poirot, again proving Case's versatility and skill. A captivating performance for a classic mystery. P.A.J. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

This classic Agatha Christie whodunit is brought to life with style by narrator James Warwick. As the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot investigates a suspicious death in Britain at the time of the Great War, the plot unfolds, complete with red herrings. Warwick's characterization of Poirot is spot-on, allowing his Belgian accent and pedantic character to shine through. He characterizes the key protagonists with affection, and his use of accents and intonation helps listeners follow the twisting plot. The interview between publisher and narrator at the end of the audiobook brings additional insight to the listener. K.J.P. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

Narrator Joel Froomkin is the perfect Hercule Poirot; his accent, vocal eccentricities, and braggadocio are spotless. Listeners first meet Captain Hastings, Poirot's friend, who is on respite from WWI at Styles. When Hastings learns of the murder of the lady of the house, he brings in Poirot, a Belgian refugee. Hastings, splendidly rendered by Froomkin, is an ideal sidekick who often draws wrong conclusions, bringing humor to the story. Colorful descriptions of the locale, food, and worried family members add atmosphere, and numerous secretive suspects and a clever use of poison invite many false hypotheses. Audio enhances the story's early-twentieth-century speech patterns and vocabulary, making this production the ideal way to savor Agatha Christie's first mystery. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine