Characters in The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Hercule Poirot

A Belgian refugee and retired detective who takes his first English case.

Also in Murder on the Links, Poirot Investigates, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, The Big Four, Mystery of the Blue Train, Black Coffee, Peril at End House, Lord Edgware Dies, Murder on the Orient Express, Murder in Three Acts

Captain Arthur Hastings

An army officer on sick leave who narrates the case and assists Poirot, often jumping to confident but mistaken conclusions.

Also in Murder on the Links, Poirot Investigates, The Big Four, Black Coffee, Peril at End House, Lord Edgware Dies, Dumb Witness, Curtain

Emily Inglethorp

The wealthy mistress of Styles Court, whose poisoning sets the mystery in motion.

Lawrence Cavendish

Emily's younger stepson, who once trained in medicine and is among the household members questioned.

Mary Cavendish

John's reserved wife, whose friendship with a local doctor and private tensions draw scrutiny.

Evelyn Howard

Emily's blunt, devoted companion who openly distrusts Alfred.

Cynthia Murdoch

A young protegee of Emily's who works at a hospital dispensary handling drugs.

John Cavendish

Emily's stepson and Hastings's host.

Alfred Inglethorp

Emily's much younger husband and an immediate object of suspicion.

Inspector Japp

The Scotland Yard detective who works alongside Poirot.

Also in Poirot Investigates, The Big Four, Black Coffee, Lord Edgware Dies, Death in the Clouds, The Under Dog and Other Stories, Poirot's Early Cases, The Affair at the Victory Ball

Dr Bauerstein

A visiting specialist in toxicology staying in the village, whose expertise in poisons and presence near the household draw suspicion.