# It Isn't Strychnine, Is It? explained — The Mysterious Affair at Styles

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

## What happens

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, revealing that she had called him to the window. The chapter also covers the family's strained breakfast, where Poirot notices Cynthia's coffee preferences and becomes excited, and the arrival of lawyer Mr. Wells to discuss the estate.

## Themes in this chapter

### Greed and Inheritance

The chapter revolves around Mrs. Inglethorp's will, its revocation upon remarriage, and the discovery of a charred later will, highlighting financial motives.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Alfred Inglethorp's hypocritical grief and the family's hidden suspicions underscore the theme of deceptive appearances.

## Character check-ins

### Hercule Poirot

Examines coffee cups and the charred will fragment; questions Manning; shows suppressed excitement at breakfast.

### John Cavendish

Organizes funeral arrangements; discusses the will with Poirot and Mr. Wells; expresses discomfort about Alfred Inglethorp.

### Alfred Inglethorp

Returns to Styles; acts the bereaved widower; suspected by the family.

### Cynthia Murdoch

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

### Mary Cavendish

Sits composed and enigmatic at breakfast; her views on the death are unknown.

### Lawrence Cavendish

Believes the death was due to heart failure; his coffee cup was half drunk on the mantelpiece.

## Key lines

> I think, Mr. Cavendish, said Poirot gravely, that you would do well not to buoy yourself up with any false hopes.

Poirot warns John not to expect a natural death verdict.

_Poirot hints that murder is likely._

> It's an awkward position for all of us. Of course one has to treat him as usual—but, hang it all, one's gorge does rise at sitting down to eat with a possible murderer!

John expresses his disgust at having to dine with Alfred Inglethorp, whom he suspects of murder.

_Shows the family's open suspicion of Alfred._

> No sugar? You abandon it in the wartime, eh?

Poirot asks Cynthia if she gave up sugar because of wartime shortages.

_Poirot's observation leads to a key clue about the coffee._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/v-it-isn-t-strychnine-is-it
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters