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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
I thought I had everything figured out, but then I was actually wrong, but THEN I was actually actually right. So, my typical Agatha Christie experience.
Every time I read one of her novels I say to myself, "Self, you ought to read more Agatha Christie." This was a good book in many respects, but the humor was particularly good.
Every time I read one of her novels I say to myself, "Self, you ought to read more Agatha Christie." This was a good book in many respects, but the humor was particularly good.
2.5/5
Didn't love Tommy & Tuppence, but I listed to this through the podcast "Phoebe Reads a Mystery" and LOVED listening to her read. Such a soothing voice!
Didn't love Tommy & Tuppence, but I listed to this through the podcast "Phoebe Reads a Mystery" and LOVED listening to her read. Such a soothing voice!
Oh boy I found this book incredibly confusing. It all starts with Tommy and Tuppance deciding they want to be adventurers so they put an ad in the newspaper offering their adventurer services, whatever that is. Then just a whole bunch of random things happen and people do and say things that make no sense, then one guy is the bad guy, but no really it’s this other guy. Truly all over the place. Also, I just want Tuppance to be a badass but she’s just kind of a ditzy mess. But, it’s Agatha Christie so of course it’s still good.
Very exciting at the end but dragged a little at times. I suspected the outcome (identities , etc) and that surprised me... thought it was more obvious than other Christie mysteries.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
Listened to this as an audiobook from the library -- lots of fun!
I recently watched the Netflix movie Agatha and the Truth of Murder, and since then I've been reading up on the Christie and her writing. Having cut my teeth on Christie's quintessential classic British mysteries at a young age, I have read many of her novels, but always focused on her well known sleuths Poirot and Miss Marple. And then I came across the title of this second book of hers, which introduces the duo Tommy and Tuppence. Faint memories of early 80's movies featuring the pair arose, and I realized I had never actually read any of their books.
Thomas Beresford and Prudence "Tuppence" Cowley are childhood friends who run into each other in post World War I London. Reminiscing at Tommy's time in the hospital Tuppence was working at, and commiserating over the lack of jobs and housing in London, the two devise a scheme to become adventurers for hire, and advertise that they are "willing to do anything. Go anywhere...No unreasonable offer refused." Their ad is quickly answered, setting them off on more adventures than they bargained for.
More of a spy novel than a traditional murder mystery, this still has all the elements of a good mystery. Spirited sleuths who are plucky and determined, mysterious characters who may or may not be trustworthy, and an abundance of red herrings combine to keep the reader's interest. The ending seems a bit predictable, but just as soon as you have it puzzled out you find Christie has persuaded you to draw an incorrect conclusion.
I will add here that this edition of the book was especially fun to read. Published by Mud Puddle Inc, it is one of the few fiction books that I've read with footnotes. Some of the notes were basic vocabulary that I didn't really need, but I did enjoy reading the notes about some of the historic landmarks mentioned in the book, as well as some of the notes on geography. The fact that it includes a ribbon for bookmarking is also a bonus.
Thomas Beresford and Prudence "Tuppence" Cowley are childhood friends who run into each other in post World War I London. Reminiscing at Tommy's time in the hospital Tuppence was working at, and commiserating over the lack of jobs and housing in London, the two devise a scheme to become adventurers for hire, and advertise that they are "willing to do anything. Go anywhere...No unreasonable offer refused." Their ad is quickly answered, setting them off on more adventures than they bargained for.
More of a spy novel than a traditional murder mystery, this still has all the elements of a good mystery. Spirited sleuths who are plucky and determined, mysterious characters who may or may not be trustworthy, and an abundance of red herrings combine to keep the reader's interest. The ending seems a bit predictable, but just as soon as you have it puzzled out you find Christie has persuaded you to draw an incorrect conclusion.
I will add here that this edition of the book was especially fun to read. Published by Mud Puddle Inc, it is one of the few fiction books that I've read with footnotes. Some of the notes were basic vocabulary that I didn't really need, but I did enjoy reading the notes about some of the historic landmarks mentioned in the book, as well as some of the notes on geography. The fact that it includes a ribbon for bookmarking is also a bonus.
