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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Listened on The Classic Tales Podcast, Episodes 577-585
http://classictales.libsyn.com/ep-577-the-secret-adversary-part-1-of-9-by-agatha-christie
http://classictales.libsyn.com/ep-577-the-secret-adversary-part-1-of-9-by-agatha-christie
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I LOVE this book soooooo much! This is the third or something time I’ve read it and it still makes me smile.
Tommy and Tumpence are cute and witty at each other (my favorite line of Tommy’s is the one about his union) and believe it or not I love their adventure sections just as much as I love their “oh shoot I’m in love!” parts (I know! Shocking!) though this time I did notice that one scene when Tumpence pulls him under the stairs and he says “what the-“ and it made me happy.
Every time I read it I always let myself get sucked in by the bad guy’s persona, even though I KNOW it’s him, just to enjoy the book a little more. The fact that it is written so well helps with that. I also noticed closer all the nationality stabs she made - I thought I could get a closer look into the mindset of ‘20s England, and all I got was the basic stereotypes. Nothing shocking there - though the ones at Americans and English were pretty funny.
Ug. There, am I done being smart?!? I almost finished it on the plane home when it was my turn to hold Asher. I could have just finished the book, but I knew and remembered the end of the last chapter, and instead chose to wait until later so I could savor it. I’m glad I did - nothing is quite as awesome as angry Tommy!
Tommy and Tumpence are cute and witty at each other (my favorite line of Tommy’s is the one about his union) and believe it or not I love their adventure sections just as much as I love their “oh shoot I’m in love!” parts (I know! Shocking!) though this time I did notice that one scene when Tumpence pulls him under the stairs and he says “what the-“ and it made me happy.
Every time I read it I always let myself get sucked in by the bad guy’s persona, even though I KNOW it’s him, just to enjoy the book a little more. The fact that it is written so well helps with that. I also noticed closer all the nationality stabs she made - I thought I could get a closer look into the mindset of ‘20s England, and all I got was the basic stereotypes. Nothing shocking there - though the ones at Americans and English were pretty funny.
Ug. There, am I done being smart?!? I almost finished it on the plane home when it was my turn to hold Asher. I could have just finished the book, but I knew and remembered the end of the last chapter, and instead chose to wait until later so I could savor it. I’m glad I did - nothing is quite as awesome as angry Tommy!
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
mysterious
Loveable characters:
Yes
Ok, I’m livinggg for the banter between Tommy & Tuppence; they’re actually so funny.
I also just love Tuppence in general. (She’s insane.)
Lastly, Tommy’s outburst about how much he loves Tuppence …??? Oh my goodness. “I’d have given the SOUL OUT OF MY BODY to save her from harm.” “I’d have stood by without a word and let her marry you, because you could have given her the sort of time she ought to have had, and I was only a poor devil without a penny to bless himself with.” What in the Wuthering Heights 😭!!! “I ALWAYS loved her! … I shall never forget when [we met again], IT WAS LIKE A MIRACLE.” I’M BLUSHING????
I would have rated this book higher had the political part of the mystery made more sense to me.
I also just love Tuppence in general. (She’s insane.)
Lastly, Tommy’s outburst about
I would have rated this book higher had the political part of the mystery made more sense to me.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was SO GOOD. I’ve read several of Agatha Christie’s novels, but this felt entirely unlike the rest of her body of work. Besides being lengthier, it felt like a novel, with a strong mystery element, instead of merely a murder mystery novel.
The characters were genuine and likeable — Tommy and Tuppence’s interactions felt refreshingly real. They are characters I would love to meet in real life. I laughed out loud multiple times in this book, and found myself getting so invested that I’d start talking to the characters while listening to the audiobook (“Don’t do it!” or “It’s a trap!”)(unfortunately, main characters rarely listen).
The plot kept me on my toes. It never felt formulaic at all. I confess, Agatha Christie, like always, expertly led me down the wrong path with regards to “who did it”. I was convinced I had the right character picked out, then was completely dumbfounded by the twist ending. There were multiple plot twists (and who doesn’t love a good plot twist?) and plenty of tension and adventure.
Highly recommend!!! This book earns a 5 star rating from me. There were exactly two scenes that came across as rather melodramatic (to the point where I was rolling my eyes ) but other than that, I highly recommend this book to any fan of Agatha Christie, and to any one who’s looking to check out some of her work!
The characters were genuine and likeable — Tommy and Tuppence’s interactions felt refreshingly real. They are characters I would love to meet in real life. I laughed out loud multiple times in this book, and found myself getting so invested that I’d start talking to the characters while listening to the audiobook (“Don’t do it!” or “It’s a trap!”)(unfortunately, main characters rarely listen).
The plot kept me on my toes. It never felt formulaic at all. I confess, Agatha Christie, like always, expertly led me down the wrong path with regards to “who did it”. I was convinced I had the right character picked out, then was completely dumbfounded by the twist ending. There were multiple plot twists (and who doesn’t love a good plot twist?) and plenty of tension and adventure.
Highly recommend!!! This book earns a 5 star rating from me. There were exactly two scenes that came across as rather melodramatic (to the point where I was rolling my eyes ) but other than that, I highly recommend this book to any fan of Agatha Christie, and to any one who’s looking to check out some of her work!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Kidnapping
Minor: Murder
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No