Arthur Hastings, the narrator, declares that he would like to clear up some points of fact about the sensational murder of the elderly wealthy dowager Emily Inglethorp.

In early July, Arthur is convalescing from wounds sustained in the Great War. John Cavendish, one of Emily’s two step-sons, invites Arthur to stay at Styles Court, a manor in a remote country location in Essex. The two are friendly acquaintances from Arthur’s youth. The family estate is under Emily’s control, having bypassed her two step-sons. Nevertheless, “they always thought of her as their own mother” (2). John and his younger brother Lawrence live in the Styles manor, and while they both briefly pursued independent professions, now they live on allowances.

The brothers are in conflict with Alfred Inglethorp, who, three months ago, moved from being one of Emily’s secretaries to being her husband. Alfred is 20 years younger than Emily, and is “an absolute outsider,” according to John (3).

At Styles Court, Arthur cordially meets Emily Inglethorp and Evelyn (Evie) Howard, the older woman’s good friend and principal secretary. He meets the witty Mary Cavendish, John’s wife, and takes an instant liking to her. Meeting Alfred Inglethorp, Arthur notes his long, black beard and his shrewd, off-putting demeanor; the upstart husband is greeted with quiet hostility by everyone but his wife, who adores him.