The Mysterious Affair at Styles Characters

Hercule Poirot is a fastidious and intelligent Belgian detective living temporarily in England. Arthur Hastings—the novel’s narrator—met him while serving in World War I, and Poirot’s powers of deduction made a significant impact on… read analysis of Hercule Poirot

The novel’s narrator, Arthur Hastings is a 30-year-old soldier on leave from World War I after having been injured in battle. While on leave, Hastings runs into John Cavendish, an old friend who invites… read analysis of Captain Arthur Hastings

Emily Inglethorp is John and Lawrence Cavendish’s stepmother. She married their father when they were still young boys, so they see her as their real mother. When John and Lawrence’s father died, he left… read analysis of Emily Inglethorp

Alfred Inglethorp is Emily Inglethorp’s new husband, whom she marries about three months before the primary action of the novel takes place. With a black beard and a distinctive way of dressing, Alfred stands… read analysis of Alfred Inglethorp

John Cavendish is a middle-aged man Hastings used to know as a boy. Hastings views John as affable but somewhat unintelligent, but the novel subtly mocks his condescending attitude toward his friend by implying that… read analysis of John Cavendish

Mary Cavendish is John Cavendish’s wife. Hastings immediately finds himself attracted to her and her charming ways, but it isn’t long before he feels unsettled by her close relationship with Dr. Bauerstein, a… read analysis of Mary Cavendish

Lawrence Cavendish is Emily Inglethorp’s stepson and John Cavendish’s brother. Unlike John, he’s shy and reserved, which sometimes makes him hard to read. For this reason, he comes under suspicion after Emily’s murder… read analysis of Lawrence Cavendish

Cynthia Murdock is a young woman living at Styles Court. She’s the daughter of a good family friend of Emily Inglethorp, who takes her in when she becomes an orphan. Emily promises to leave… read analysis of Cynthia Murdock

Dr. Bauerstein is an expert on poisons living temporarily in Styles. After learning from the others at Styles Court that Bauerstein is visiting from London, Hastings doesn’t question why, exactly, a renowned specialist would spend… read analysis of Dr. Bauerstein

Dorcas is one of Emily Inglethorp’s housekeepers. A devoted employee, she’s one of the only people who seems to care about Emily’s death. She does whatever she can to help Poirot crack the case… read analysis of Dorcas

Annie is a housekeeper at Styles Court. She tells Poirot and Hastings that she brings Emily Inglethorp a cup of cocoa each night before bed. On the night of the murder, she noticed there was… read analysis of Annie

Mrs. Raikes is Emily Inglethorp’s neighbor. Alfred Inglethorp and Evelyn Howard spread the rumor that Alfred and Mrs. Raikes are having an affair, thus justifying Alfred’s supposed unwillingness to testify as to his whereabouts… read analysis of Mrs. Raikes

Mr. Mace is a local pharmacist who sells strychnine to a person he thinks is Alfred Inglethorp. He admits at the inquest that he knows he shouldn’t have done this, since only authorized people… read analysis of Mr. Mace

Jimmy Japp is an inspector at the Scotland Yard (the London police). He has worked with Poirot before and thus has a deep and abiding respect for him. Although he and his colleague, Superintendent Summerhaye… read analysis of Inspector Jimmy Japp