# The Mysterious Affair at Styles — Chapters explained

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

- [The Mysterious Affair at Styles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/the-mysterious-affair-at-styles.md): 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 
- [I: I Go to Styles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/i-i-go-to-styles.md): 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 Ing
- [The 16th and 17th of July](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/ii-the-16th-and-17th-of-july.md): 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 dispens
- [III: The Night of the Tragedy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/iii-the-night-of-the-tragedy.md): 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 con
- [IV: Poirot Investigates](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/iv-poirot-investigates.md): Hastings visits Poirot at his cottage to recount the events of Mrs. Inglethorp's death. Poirot emphasizes the importance of every detail, even seemingly trivial ones like Mrs. Inglethorp's appetite at supper. They procee
- [It Isn't Strychnine, Is It?](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/v-it-isn-t-strychnine-is-it.md): Poirot examines the coffee cups from the night of Mrs. Inglethorp's death and discovers a charred fragment of a will in the grate. He questions the gardener Manning about Mrs. Inglethorp's actions the previous afternoon,
- [VI: The Inquest](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/vi-the-inquest.md): The inquest into Mrs. Inglethorp's death unfolds with testimony from Dorcas, Mary Cavendish, Cynthia Murdoch, and others. Dr. Bauerstein and Dr. Wilkins confirm strychnine poisoning, dismissing suicide or accidental over
- [VII: Poirot Pays His Debts](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/vii-poirot-pays-his-debts.md): Poirot meets with Scotland Yard detectives Inspector Japp and Superintendent Summerhaye, who are convinced of Alfred Inglethorp's guilt. Poirot argues against arresting Inglethorp, revealing that he has an alibi: Ingleth
- [Fresh Suspicions](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/viii-fresh-suspicions.md): Poirot and Hastings discuss the possibility of Evelyn Howard being the murderer, but Poirot dismisses it due to lack of motive. Poirot sends Hastings with a cryptic message for Lawrence Cavendish: 'Find the extra coffee-
- [IX: Dr. Bauerstein](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/ix-dr-bauerstein.md): Hastings delivers Poirot's cryptic message about the extra coffee-cup to Lawrence, who professes ignorance. At lunch, Poirot questions Mary and Lawrence about whether the door from Cynthia's room to Mrs. Inglethorp's was
- [The Arrest](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/x-the-arrest.md): Hastings is dismayed to find Poirot absent, then learns that Dr. Bauerstein has been arrested—but for espionage, not murder. Poirot returns and reveals his suspicions about Bauerstein's true activities. Miss Howard deliv
- [XI: The Case for the Prosecution](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/xi-the-case-for-the-prosecution.md): The trial of John Cavendish for the murder of his stepmother takes place two months later. Mary Cavendish passionately supports her husband. Poirot reveals he has long suspected John but lacks the final link in his chain
- [The Last Link](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/xii-the-last-link.md): Poirot reveals the final pieces of the puzzle, explaining that Mrs. Inglethorp herself destroyed the will by burning it in a fire, that Mary Cavendish administered a narcotic to Cynthia and Mrs. Inglethorp, and that the 
- [XIII: Poirot Explains](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/xiii-poirot-explains.md): Poirot reveals to Hastings the full extent of his investigation, explaining how he deliberately allowed Alfred Inglethorp to incriminate himself while protecting John Cavendish. He details the discovery of the hidden let
- [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations.md): This chapter contains floor plans of Styles Court and Mrs. Inglethorp's bedroom, along with images of physical evidence including a half-charred paper and a crumpled envelope with scrawled writing.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters