You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
"Tommy and Tuppence" aren't the first detectives you think of when you think Agatha Christie, but they are very darling in their first outing. Consider my review four stars if you're a mystery fan.
The story is a little contrived in spots, but it's pretty satisfying in the end. It turns out that the biggest plot hole is the key to the mystery, but I forgive the author, because it was a well-told story and the dialogue doesn't doesn't sound hackneyed like a lot of 20s era fiction.
I took some marks off for some turgid bits at the end. There are quite a few unnecessary gyrations that occur in order to keep the mystery hidden until the last 10 pages.
The story is a little contrived in spots, but it's pretty satisfying in the end. It turns out that the biggest plot hole is the key to the mystery, but I forgive the author, because it was a well-told story and the dialogue doesn't doesn't sound hackneyed like a lot of 20s era fiction.
I took some marks off for some turgid bits at the end. There are quite a few unnecessary gyrations that occur in order to keep the mystery hidden until the last 10 pages.
This is one of my favorite Agatha Christie books, and it had nothing to do with Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple. The intricate plotting that she is well-known for is there, and though you know where she's going, she still keeps you guessing until the end. Along with likable, interesting characters it's textbook Agatha Christie -- and it was only the second novel she ever had published.
4.5/5 really liked this! Interested in reading more espionage type novels now. Liked the story better than the affair at styles but I think I like Poroit better than Tommy and Tupence. Kind of wish they had been kept as friends though
Read for 52 Book Club Challenge- Prompt #4: An author that is deceased
adventurous
lighthearted
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
Written in 1922, 100 years ago, this is a charming beginning for the T and T Duo. It is so interesting to see how Agatha Christie's style, cadence and vocabulary with change with time. Is this book dated? Yes...in the most marvelous, retro way. She is a marvel! All roads lead back to AC whether the author is LeCarre or Horowitz, my heroes.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Hard on the heels of the first Poirot, I listened to the first Tommy and Tuppence. Again, it's a fun escape read, but this one is a bit less refined than The Mysterious Affair: I figured out the bad guy pretty fast, and there are a lot of credulity-stretching escapes, twists, coincidences, and moments where the trussed-up prisoner is suddenly running full-tilt down the road with a gun, full use of his/her muscles, and cash to pay a cab and buy dinner! Still--it's a bit like reading a Tin-tin story, and a nice way to pass some dreary February commutes.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated