In Chapter VI of “The Mysterious Affair at Styles,” titled “The Inquest,” Hercule Poirot intensifies his investigation ahead of the inquest. The narrator, feeling left out of Poirot’s plans, attempts to follow him and ends up learning that Alfred Inglethorp has been secretly visiting a farm, stirring suspicions.

During the inquest held at the Stylites Arms, various testimonies paint a complicated picture of the days leading up to Mrs. Inglethorp’s death. Key points include the confirmation of strychnine poisoning as the cause of death, with the poison’s administration time and method under scrutiny. The investigating doctor dismisses the possibility of accidental poisoning or suicide, highlighting Mrs. Inglethorp’s robust health and the unlikelihood of the poison being ingested through her habitual cocoa, as tested by Poirot.

Suspicions around Alfred Inglethorp grow as a chemist’s assistant testifies to selling him strychnine, a claim Inglethorp denies, suggesting mistaken identity. His alibi for the night of the murder is weak, and his awkward explanations during the inquest do him no favors. The inquest also revisits the family tensions and the mysterious will, adding layers to the intrigue. Elevated by revealing and sometimes contradictory testimonies, from the intricacies of the poison’s effects to personal grievances and alibis, the chapter sets a rich scene of mystery and impending detection.

Detective Inspector James Japp from Scotland Yard is introduced, indicating the involvement of higher authorities and adding a sense of urgency to Poirot’s investigations. Amidst the legal proceedings, Poirot remains observant, catching subtle cues and contradictions that others miss, underscoring his unique detective skills.

Overall, the inquest chapter deepens the mystery, with pivotal revelations and character dynamics setting the stage for further investigations into the cunningly executed murder at Styles Court.