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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
In this stand-alone espionage novel, the western world's leading scientists are disappearing, and the British government fears they might have defected to the Soviet Union. Security agent Jessop wants to find out what's going on, and he convinces a young woman with nothing to live for to go on a suicide mission and figure it out. Hillary Craven agrees to impersonate the wife of a missing nuclear scientist and go in pursuit of him.
In my opinion, this is Christie's best espionage thriller. The book's dark beginnings give way to a journey around Morocco, where Hillary shakes off her despair to become a strong character and a competent, undercover spy. As she carefully navigates an increasingly oppressive environment, she realizes she now has a strong will to live, which makes her mission even more dangerous.
Christie touched on sophisticated concepts such as the use of mass psychosis, personality tests, lobotomies, drugs, and the language of propaganda to ensure a docile and compliant population capable of aiding a profit-driven, global agenda.
This depiction of the world in the early 1950s has some depressingly similar elements to the modern age. The richest man in the world came up with a scheme to make even more money at the expense of individual freedom. In Christie's view, having everything handed to you and having all your issues solved for you only impedes personal happiness and creativity.
In my opinion, this is Christie's best espionage thriller. The book's dark beginnings give way to a journey around Morocco, where Hillary shakes off her despair to become a strong character and a competent, undercover spy. As she carefully navigates an increasingly oppressive environment, she realizes she now has a strong will to live, which makes her mission even more dangerous.
Christie touched on sophisticated concepts such as the use of mass psychosis, personality tests, lobotomies, drugs, and the language of propaganda to ensure a docile and compliant population capable of aiding a profit-driven, global agenda.
This depiction of the world in the early 1950s has some depressingly similar elements to the modern age. The richest man in the world came up with a scheme to make even more money at the expense of individual freedom. In Christie's view, having everything handed to you and having all your issues solved for you only impedes personal happiness and creativity.
An interesting read with lots of intrigue. I loved Hilary’s character and her portrayal of Olive. The fact that she got recruiting while trying to commit suicide is wild. The reveal at the end was a total surprise to me.
it feels wrong to rate an agatha christie book so low but I had to
Christie's spy novels aren't as good or as fun as her classic detective stories, but it's still a nice way to spend an afternoon.
This was actually rather quick read. I did not know what to expect with this book other than knowing that the usual characters like Marple and Poirot were not present. The protagonist Hillary has decided to end her own life. But then she’s asked to impersonate a recently deceased woman and go off on an adventure to find the husband, a scientist who has vanished.
A different kind of mystery but one where the reader and Hillary has no idea whom she can trust. I’m giving it five stars because I enjoyed the read and because it was so unexpected. This is not a traditional “who done it “so to speak. I can see where some people might be put off by a different tone but I would still recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Christie.
A different kind of mystery but one where the reader and Hillary has no idea whom she can trust. I’m giving it five stars because I enjoyed the read and because it was so unexpected. This is not a traditional “who done it “so to speak. I can see where some people might be put off by a different tone but I would still recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Christie.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Contains dated historical attitudes that are likely to offend modern readers
Not a mystery, and the ending sort of fizzled into a bit of feus ex machina, but still an entertaining read.
A spy thriller which I wasn't expecting and had the feeling of a 1950's movie starring Michael Caine! Quite slow going for a short book but very intriguing. Could certainly be adapted for a modern netflix treatment
I enjoyed this novel as much as, if not more than Agatha Christie's other books (and I have read them all). I am a fan of Poirot, but the murder mysteries are not quite as exciting as conspiracies, world espionage and intrigue, which is what this book offers (however far fetched, which I will admit, it is.. still this is fiction and global financial conspiracies make for good stories).
As a simple and suspenseful mystery, if not read as propaganda (there is a lot of "Red Fear" written into this book), it is quite relaxing/enjoyable.
As a simple and suspenseful mystery, if not read as propaganda (there is a lot of "Red Fear" written into this book), it is quite relaxing/enjoyable.